Ramón García de León y Pizarro facts for kids
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Ramón García de León y Pizarro was an important Spanish military officer and leader. He was born in 1745 in Oran, which is now part of Algeria. He passed away in December 1815 in Charcas, Bolivia.
Ramón García de León y Pizarro served as the president of the Real Audiencia of Charcas. This meant he was in charge of the government in the region of Intendancy of Chuquisaca during the last years of Spanish rule in Upper Peru (which is now Bolivia). He is also known for founding the city of San Ramón de la Nueva Orán in what is now northern Argentina.
Early Life and Military Path
Ramón García de León y Pizarro was born into a family with a long history of military service and nobility in Spain. His birthplace, Oran, was part of the Spanish Empire at the time.
He joined the army and spent his early career fighting in wars against Muslim groups in North Africa. He also helped create many maps of the North African coastlines.
In 1771, he moved to America. He served in the military base of Cartagena de Indias and later became the governor of Riohacha. He also governed the Maynas missions and the territory of Mompox. In Mompox, his main job was to mark the border with Portugal near the Marañón River.
In 1779, he became the governor of Guayaquil. He was known for his effective leadership and for improving the port's defenses. He rose through the ranks to become a Captain General in the Spanish colonies of Upper Peru and eventually a General in the Royal Spanish Navy.
Founding New Oran
In March 1789, Ramón García de León y Pizarro was chosen to be the governor of the Salta province. He was the second governor of this area after it separated from Tucumán. He officially started his role in December 1791, after a long tour of the province.
One of his first actions was to visit the eastern border of the province. This area was often attacked by local Indigenous groups, especially the Wichí and Guarani people.
He saw great potential in the Zenta Valley, where a mission had been started by Franciscan priests. He decided to build a new city there for defense. In August 1795, he founded the city of San Ramón de la Nueva Orán. He named it after himself and his hometown, Oran.
He brought 150 families, about 800 people, and nearly 45,000 livestock animals to help build the new city. San Ramón de la Nueva Orán was the last city founded in what is now Argentina before its independence. It was also the only city founded before 1810 that later became a provincial capital. In 1794, he moved the Cathedral of Salta to a former Jesuit temple. He was given the rank of Marshal.
Leading Charcas
In October 1796, Ramón García de León y Pizarro was appointed governor of the Upper Peruvian province of Charcas. This important role also made him the president of the main court in that city. He took office in October of the following year.
His time as governor had some challenges, partly because he was new to this type of administrative work. He had disagreements with the city council, the court, the university, and the Archbishop. Despite these conflicts, his government was generally seen as successful. He often let his colleagues handle daily tasks due to his age and the constant disagreements common in colonial administration.
In 1806, when the British tried to invade, he organized military forces. These forces were ready to join Viceroy Rafael de Sobremonte to fight against the invaders.
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