El Dorado (man of gold) was identified with the zaque or ruler of the Chibehas, a South American nation overthrown by the Spanish in 1538. Manoa was supposed to be the residence, where he dwelt in a golden palace. The zaque was thought by his captors to be the veritable El Dorado, because on certain feasts he was covered with gold dust. The Spaniards between 1541 and 1545 and Sir Walter Raleigh in 1595, 1596 and 1617, attempted to reach the fabulous city. Research El Dorado