The Province of Cartagena de Indias in Colombia was founded concurrently with the city of Cartagena, Colombia in 1533 by the conquistador Pedro de Heredia, thus fulfilling his part in a contract of conquest made with King Charles V of Spain. The town and province were named after Cartagena, Spain, the hometown of most of Heredia's sailors. The province became independent during the 19th century, and essentially preserved its original territorial area, although it had changed names several times.