San Juan del Cesar 5.71

San Juan del Cesar is a municipality and town located in the La Guajira Department, Colombia.EtymologySan Juan Bautista del Cesar name in John the Baptist and Chet-tzar or Sasare indigenous language for calm water, the name of the Cesar River.HistoryThe region San Juan del Cesar was inhabited by Arhuacos indigenous tribe, led during that time by a Cacique named "Marocazo". It was founded on June 24, 1701 by Captain Salvador Felix Arias Pereira with the name of Villa of San Juan Bautista, over Mount Yiyirigak by the Cesar River. Arias-Pereira was in a mission to "pacify" the indigenous tribes in rebellion; the Tupes, Coyaimas, Conopans and Marocazos.The Villa of San Juan immediately became a pass for people traveling between Valledupar and the port of Riohacha, back then an important commercial route flowing with cattle and agricultural products. The first church was built by Priest Gonzalo Suárez Oñate.