Spanish Founded Sante Fe

New Mexico was settled by the Spanish in attempt to colonize the region. The first colonial efforts were made by Don Juan de Onate. In 1598 de Onate called this region "Sante Fe de Nuevo Mexico". His initial capital was the settlement of San Juan de los Caballeros, north of Sante Fe. New Mexico’s second governor moved the capital to its present location, Sante Fe, in 1610. Thus, Santa Fe became the oldest capital in the United States.