<P> El Dorado (pronounced (el doˈɾaðo), English: / ˌɛl dəˈrɑːdoʊ /; Spanish for "the golden one"), originally El Hombre Dorado (the golden man), or El Rey Dorado (the golden king), was the term used by the Spanish Empire to describe a mythical tribal chief (zipa) of the Muisca native people of Colombia, who, as an initiation rite, covered himself with gold dust and submerged in Lake Guatavita . The legends surrounding El Dorado changed over time, as it went from being a man, to a city, to a kingdom, and then finally an empire . </P> <P> A second location for El Dorado was inferred from rumors, which inspired several unsuccessful expeditions in the late 1500s in search of a city called Manõa on the shores of Lake Parime . Two of the most famous of these expeditions were led by Sir Walter Raleigh . In pursuit of the legend, Spanish conquistadors and numerous others searched Colombia, Venezuela, and parts of Guyana and northern Brazil for the city and its fabulous king . In the course of these explorations, much of northern South America, including the Amazon River, was mapped . By the beginning of the 19th century most people dismissed the existence of the city as a myth . </P> <P> The Muisca occupied the highlands of Cundinamarca and Boyacá departments of Colombia in two migrations from outlying lowland areas, one starting c. 1270 BCE, and a second between 800 BCE and 500 BCE . At those times, other more ancient civilizations also flourished in the highlands . The Muisca Confederation was as advanced as the Aztec, Maya and Inca civilizations . </P> <P> In the mythology of the Muisca, Mnya the Gold or golden color, represents the energy contained in the trinity of Chiminigagua, which constitutes the creative power of everything that exists . Chiminigagua is related to Bachué, Cuza, Chibchacum, Bochica, and Nencatacoa . </P>

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