Bogota in 1717 became the capital of the Spanish colony of New Granada and even after independence from Spain was the capital of the country. Due to its far remoteness from the sea it was not immediately obvious that this city would become the capital of Colombia. The plateau was home to the indigenous Indians Muisca, a farming community, and they turned to an abundant source of colonial labor. This economic advantage was the capital city of the country. The colonial city can still be found in the Candelaria district.