|
|
|
Adolescenza
**** |
Discoteche/ |
|
|
| South America/Turismo |
| Argentina | Chile | Falkland Island | Peru |
| Venezuela | Bolivia | Colombia | French Guyana |
| Suriname | Brasile | Ecuador | Paraguay |
| Uruguay |
| Colombia |
| Bogota | Cali | Manizales | Cartagena |
| Medellin |
| Thanks to
http://www.world66.com/ *********************The content is published under a creative commons licence : http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/1.0 / ). |
| Colombia Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Valley of Cocora (Coffee Region) Valley of Cocora (Coffee Region) Mark S Planning to visit? First of all, get rid of all your prejudices. If something should be said about Colombians and Colombia, it is that everything here is done passionately: living, partying and arguing. "Intense" might be a word that describes not only 44,000,000 warm hearted people but that also applies to the whole of experiencing Colombia: the lavish green of the Amazon, the deep blue of both oceans and one of the most exuberant and diverse fauna and flora in the planet. Colombia is a country for "travellers" more than tourists; if you are willing to spend some days babbling Spanish, dealing with a diferent perception of time and marvelling yourself at a country full of contradictions, this is your place. In spite of being a tropical country Colombia's weather is not the same across the territory: don't be fooled by a flat map and be prepared to visit a chilly capital city 2.600 m above sea level, or the extensive warm valley of the Magdalena river 300 m above the sea level (and only 150 km away). This geographical variety also brings a cultural richness, which added to our colonial history results in a society where racial, ideological and cultural ends meet. Colombia is such a beautiful country, their people are always happy despite the hardship they've been through, go to Colombia with an open mind and heart and you'll be guaranteed to come back full of great memories. There's lots to see in Colombia, there are lots of Balnearios, or "retreats" within the cities, they have olympic pools, play areas for children, and they cook home made lunch/dinner at an affordable price; you could spend the whole day in these balnearios! The biggest risk for tourists or expatriates in Colombia is common theft. Terrorism occurs only in rural areas and extremely rarely in the cities; homicide is only a minor concern in large urban areas such as Bogotá, Medellín and Cali, and as long as you take sensible precautions, you are unlikely to experience any problems. Kidnapping occurs in remote rural areas where you are unlikely to find yourself anyway, and very rarely in cities (be sure to order taxis by telephone and only catch them in the street if you are in a group). Moreover, homicide and kidnapping rates drop almost 50% every year. By 2009, serious crime will be almost non-existent in Colombia. __________History Edit This i During the pre-Colombian period the area now known as Colombia was inhabited by indigenous people who were primitive hunters or nomadic farmers. The Chibchas who lived in the Bogota region dominated the various Indian groups. Spaniards first sailed along the north coast of Colombia as early as 1500 but their first permanent settlement at Santa Marta was not established until 1525. In 1549 the area was established as a Spanish colony with the capital at Santa fe de Bogota. In 1717 Bogota became the capital of the Viceroyalty of New Granada which included what is now Venezuela Ecuador and Panama. The city became one of the principal administrative centers of the Spanish possessions in the New World along with Lima and Mexico City. On July 20 1810 the citizens of Bogota created the first representative council to defy Spanish authority. Total independence was proclaimed in 1813 and in 1819 the Republic of Greater Colombia was formed. The Republic After the defeat of the Spanish army the republic included all the territory of the former viceroyalty. Simon Bolivar was elected its first President and Francisco de Paula Santander Vice President. Two political parties that grew out of conflicts between the followers of Bolivar and Santander--the Conservatives and the Liberals--have dominated Colombian politics. Bolivar's supporters who later formed the nucleus of the Conservative Party advocated a strong centralized government alliance with the Roman Catholic Church and a limited franchise. Santander's followers forerunners of the Liberals wanted a decentralized government state rather than church control over education and other civil matters and a broadened suffrage. Throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries each party held the presidency for roughly equal periods of time. Colombia unlike many Latin American countries maintained a tradition of civilian government and regular free elections. The military has seized power three times in Colombia's history: in 1830 when Ecuador and Venezuela withdrew from the republic (Panama did not become independent until 1903); in 1854; and in 1953-57. In the first two instances civilian rule was restored within 1 year. Notwithstanding the country's commitment to democratic institutions Colombia's history has been characterized by periods of widespread violent conflict. Two civil wars resulted from bitter rivalry between the Conservative and Liberal parties. The War of a Thousand Days (1899-1902) cost an estimated 100 000 lives and up to 300 000 people perished during "La Violencia" (The Violence) of the late 1940s and 1950s. A military coup in 1953 brought Gen. Gustavo Rojas Pinilla to power. Initially Rojas enjoyed considerable popular support due largely to his success in reducing "La Violencia." When he did not restore democratic rule however he was overthrown by the military in 1957 with the backing of both political parties and a provisional government was installed. The National Front In July 1957 former Conservative President Laureano Gomez (1950-53) and former Liberal President Alberto Lleras Camargo (1945-46) issued the "Declaration of Sitges in which they proposed a National Front" whereby the Liberal and Conservative parties would govern jointly. Through regular elections the presidency would alternate between the two parties every 4 years; the parties also would have parity in all other elective and appointive offices. The National Front ended "La Violencia." National Front administrations instituted far-reaching social and economic reforms in cooperation with the Alliance for Progress an inter-American program of economic assistance which began in 1961 with major financial backing by the United States. The National Front government made efforts to resolve problems of inflation unemployment and inequitable income distribution while cutting government expenses. Although the parity system established by the Sitges agreement was terminated in 1978 the 1886 Colombian constitution (in effect until 1991) required that the losing political party be given adequate and equitable participation in the government. Although the 1991 constitution does not have that requirement subsequent administrations have included opposition parties in the government. from 1945 to 1965 a massive group of european inmigrants (lituania, france, italy and more)arrive to Colombia as the result of the second world war and the cold war, first they pass to the coast (cities like Cartagena or barranquilla) then they arrive cities like Medellin and Bogota and stay, at the same time in 1900 or earlier came arabic and japanese inmigrants; prove of that Colombia have a mix of culture and people for example Shakira is a mix of lebanese and Bogota's EX- major Antanas Mokus is son of lituans inmigrants. Post-National Front Years Between 1978 and 1982 the government focused on ending the limited but persistent Cuban-backed insurgency that sought to undermine Colombia's traditional democratic system. The success of the government's efforts enabled it to lift the state-of-siege decree that had been in effect for most of the previous 30 years. In 1984 President Belisario Betancur a Conservative who won 47% of the popular vote negotiated a cease-fire that included the release of many guerrillas imprisoned during the effort to overpower the insurgents. The cease-fire ended when Democratic Alliance/M-19 (AD/M-19) guerrillas resumed fighting in 1985. A vicious attack on the Palace of Justice in Bogota by the AD/M-19 on November 6-7 1985 and its violent suppression by the Army shocked Colombia and the entire world. Of the 115 people killed 11 were Supreme Court justices. Although the government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) the largest guerrilla group renewed their truce in March 1986 peace with the AD/M-19 and dissident factions of other guerrilla groups seemed remote as Betancur left office. The next administrations had to contend both with the guerrillas and with the narcotics traffickers who operated with relative impunity within Colombia. Narco-terrorists assassinated three presidential candidates before Cesar Gaviria Trujillo was elected in 1990. Since the death of Medellin cartel leader Pablo Escobar in a shoot-out in December 1993 indiscriminate acts of violence associated with that organization have abated. President Ernesto Samper assumed office in August 1994. Samper vowed to continue many of the economic and foreign policy goals of the Gaviria Administration while also placing greater emphasis on addressing social inequities and eliminating poverty. However a political crisis relating to contributions from drug traffickers to Samper's 1994 presidential campaign diverted attention from these social programs thus slowing and in some cases halting progress. __________Getting Around Edit This San Agustin San Agustin is the most important archaeological place in the country, and it characterizes because it has large plain or slightly undulated zones, mainly on the banks of the rivers that cross them; its average temperature is 19\grades. It offers a full repertoire of lodging possibilities for the national and foreign tourists. The crew is traditionally obsequious and competent The culture that made these thousands of amazing statues disappear and we don't know why. There are some theories but nothing has been probed. San Agustin probably is a city for dead, we mean kind of huge cemetery for religious, military and political leaders. Many graves were found full of treasures and sadly some were stolen Getting to and Around San Agustin It's easier to get to the town of San Agustin and the Parquet Archeological de San Agustin now than it was for the conquistadores, but expect to put a little effort into it. By road: From Bogotá to Neiva, capital of the Department of Huila, via paved national highway, about six hours, but be prepared for it to take longer. From Neiva to San Agustin is another four hours. From Popayan, by bus, it's also about six hours. By air: Either into Neiva’s Benito Salas airport .From Neiva to San Agustin is another four hours minutes by road from . Check flights from your area to Bogotá or other locations in Colombia. You can also browse for hotels and car rentals. Once there, you can tour in san Agustin by 4x4, horseback , by foot or rafting. Horseback is a popular choice and allows you plenty of opportunity to enjoy the scenery. You can rent a horse in the town of San Agustin. Take the time to visit some of the surrounding sites which also have burial mounds, figures and great scenic views of the surrounding countryside. See also: · Fuente de Lavapatas where there are a series of pools and channels of water carved into smooth bare rock as are pictures of lizards, serpents and salamanders with human figures · Alto de Lavapatas where at the summit of the hill are the oldest tombs and a children’s cemetery protected by a beautifully carved large double statue · Bosque de las Estatuas where statues originally found in remote areas have been grouped for display in a natural wooded setting · El Alto de los Ídolos where you'll see horizontal and vertical tombs with carved stone slabs San Agustin is a small town set in the beautiful Magdalena river valley and equipped for the visitor with places to stay and eat. parquet Archeological de san Agustin Parquet Archeological de San Agustin The biggest statuary concentration is found here. Estrecho del Magdalena Estrecho del Magdalena: The river makes a strait in a tunnel of rocks, achieving its minimal width 2,20 Magdalena lake photos Magdalena 3 days horse riding parquet archeological Tablón and Chaquira Horseback is a popular choice Alto de Los Idolos : This is another place of statuary concentration, called "statue forest". f you’re ready for an adventure with personality, give Magdalena rafting Adventures a call today. 311 271 53 33. We are looking forward to seeing you this year! mailto:info@magdalenarafting.com San Agustin Huila ________Economy Edit This Economy—overview: Colombia is recovering from a short recession that began in late 1996 - resulting from tight monetary policy to drive down inflation declining business confidence related to President SAMPER's political difficulties and a slowdown in exports stemming from an appreciation of the peso and a recession in neighboring Venezuela. Although 1997's 3.1% GDP growth rate represented an improvement over 1996 it ranked among the lowest in Latin America and was substantially lower than the average annual growth rate exceeding 4% that Colombia posted for several decades prior to SAMPER's election. Colombia's next president will inherit a variety of economic problems. Most notably the unemployment rate is at its highest level this decade risks for the export sector and foreign investors are rising as a result of increasing guerrilla violence and a volatile exchange rate and the fiscal deficit has more than tripled since 1994. GDP: purchasing power parity—$231.1 billion (1997 est.) GDP—real growth rate: 3.1% (1997 est.) GDP—per capita: purchasing power parity—$5900(1997 est.) GDP—composition by sector: agriculture: 19% industry: 26% services: 55% Inflation rate—consumer price index: 17.7% (1997 est.) Labor force: total: 16.8 million (1997 est.) by occupation: services 46% agriculture 30% industry 24% (1990) Unemployment rate: 12.2% (1997 est.) Budget: revenues: $26 billion (1996 est.) expenditures: $30 billion including capital expenditures of $NA (1996 est.) Industries: textiles food processing oil clothing and footwear beverages chemicals cement; gold coal emeralds Industrial production growth rate: -1.2% (1996) Electricity—capacity: 10.781 million kW (1995) Electricity production- 47 billion kWh (1995) Electricity—consumption per capita: 1 307 kWh (1995) Agriculture—products: coffee cut flowers bananas rice tobacco corn sugarcane cocoa beans oilseed vegetables; forest products; shrimp farming Exports: total value: $11.4 billion (f.o.b. 1997 est.) commodities: petroleum coffee coal bananas fresh cut flowers partners: US 39% EC 25.7% Japan 2.9% Venezuela 8.5% (1992) Imports: total value: $13.5 billion (c.i.f. 1997 est.) commodities: industrial equipment transportation equipment consumer goods chemicals paper products partners: US 36% EC 18% Brazil 4% Venezuela 6.5% Japan 8.7% (1992) Debt—external: $17.1 billion (1997 est.) Economic aid: recipient: ODA $30 million (1993) Currency: 1 Colombian peso (Col$) = 100 centavos Exchange rates: Colombian pesos (Col$) per US$1—1345.0 (February 1998) 1 140.96 (1997) 1 036.69 (1996) 912.83 (1995) 844.84 (1994) 863.06 (1993) Fiscal year: calendar year ____________Day Trips Edit This From medellin, you can go to a lot of places.One of them is the west road to the caribbean sea.The real backpacker colombian west circuit. These circuit begins with the longest southamerican tunnel: a 4.3 km long into-the-montain tunnel. Its very new: only one year ago was finished.Mayba thats way this way is so unknown in the backpacker scene.There are no hostels around this area until turbo. After this tunnel, you can see an incredible escenary. The medellin west side montains are amazing. After 45 minute in a bus or a taxi, (the trip goes from 2 dolars up to 6 in a taxi from the Terminal del Norte, Medellin); you are at the golden triangle of occidente (triangulo de oro de occidente).Yes, my spaninglish said it all. San Jeronimo de Antioquia, Sopetran and Santa Fe de Antioquia are new in the backpacker scene. The weather is better then Medellin (even when they call Medellin the city of the eternal spring).Well, its just perfect the whole year: 25 degrees EVERY DAY OF THE YEAR.Belive or not, San Jeronimo de Antioquia its very close to paradise. Also, the way you can move in this area is using this moto taxi (1 person motorcycle)moto raton (3 person motorcycle, like in india and china).Its very cheap (with one dollar con go to the main square, and with 3 dollars per person, to Santa fe de Antioquia passing trough Sopetran, the knigdom of fruits (that gives the second name to this circuit: the sun and fruits circuit in colombia.special for ecotourims) and el puente colgante (lovely bridge). You can see all the pictures at www.elclubhostel.com/around.htm . Finally, Santa fe its one of the five historical towns in colombia. Its very preserved and looks a lot like cartagena.Hope you can reach this place, cause after thta, you take a bus jump to the road again, going to the wester begining of the caribean coast.Starting with turbo, there are a lot of beaches with small safe colombian towns like Moñitos and Tolu. Or you can taka plane in Turbo directly to Panama.Is very close.Unfortunally, theres no road to Panama. Contributors July 24, 2007 change by rfujitani [Add Day Trip] Guatape Tour Edit This Guatape is located approximately 90 minutes outside of Medellin and is becoming a recreational destination for many Colombian's and foreign travellers. Half the fun of traveling to Guatape is driving through the Colombian countryside lined with beautiful rolling hills, small towns, farms and friendly people. Once you arrive in Guatape you will notice that the town borders a reservoir built for a hydroelectric damn. The lake covers thousands of acers and can be explored and enjoyed by renting a boat or taking one of the large party boats available on more.. World66 rating: [rate it] url: www.medellinexecutivehotel.com address: Calle 11A No. 31A-208 ____________People Edit This Palenquera (fruit vendor), Cartagena Colombia Palenquera (fruit vendor), Cartagena Colombia Los Amunches Population: 43,593,035(July 2005 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 33% (male 6 474 927; female 6 321 404) 15-64 years: 62% (male 11 725 078; female 12 333 982) 65 years and over: 5% (male 780 486; female 945 072) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 1.89% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 24.93 births/1 000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 5.69 deaths/1 000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: -0.34 migrant(s)/1 000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.83 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 25.44 deaths/1 000 live births (1998 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 70.06 years male: 66.15 years female: 74.11 years (1998 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.9 children born/woman (1998 est.) Nationality: noun: Colombian(s) adjective: Colombian Ethnic groups: mestizo 58% white 20% mulatto 14% black 4% mixed black-Amerindian 3% Amerindian 1% Religions: Roman Catholic 95% Languages: Spanish Cities most important: Bogota, Medellin, Cali, Barranquilla, Cartagena, Pereira, Bucaramanga, Cucuta, Manizales, Santa Marta. Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 91.3% male: 91.2% female: 91.4% (1995 est.) __________Beaches Edit This Colombia's coastline has an outstanding selection of beaches. Top of the agenda are Park Tayrona, Santa Marta and the Rosario Islands. [Add Beach] Park Tayrona Guide Edit This A guide to the idyllic beaches of Park Tayrona, and how to discover the empty ones. Park Tayrona has some of the finest beaches in the world. World66 rating: [rate it] url: www.bigtravelweb.com _________Festivals Edit This The most famous festival is the Feria of Cali (Cali Fair) of Cali city, in December, but other festivals and parties urbans: Barranquilla (Carnival of Barranquilla) Pereira (Fiestas de la Cosecha and Pasillo Festival) Manizales (Reinado Internacional del Cafe) Medellín (La Feria de las Flores- The Festival of Flowers) Pasto (Blacks and Whites people festival) Cartagena (November - Miss Colombia) Neiva (Bambuco (folklore) Festival) Santa Marta (Parties of the sea) other festivals other cities and smalls towns. :::::::::::Armenia Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see City view from South entrance City view from South entrance Olga Hyland Armenia is a city of around 250,000 people situated at 1,400 meters above sea level. It's the capital of the Quindio department, one of the three that forms the Eje Cafetero (coffee area), perhaps one of the most attractive areas in Colombia. In Quindio you will find: to the north of Armenia, the gateway to The Parque Nacional de los Nevados, where the highest peaks in central Colombia rise to perpetual snows at more than 4,500 meters. At the Quindio side of the foothills of this national park, lays the magnificent Cocora valley, where the National Tree of Colombia, the wax palm grows, and whose municipality of Salento is a top touristic destination famous for its culinary delicacy: fried river trout, for its guadua crafts and furniture (the strong native bamboo cane), its art galleries and its fame for being the bohemian centre of regional artists. From here you can take an spectacular hike to the park and also walk along the historic Camino del Liberator, the path used by Colombia's 19th century Liberator Simon Bolivar to move his army between the west of the country and Santa Fe de Bogota during his successful independence campaign from Spain. To the south of Armenia, as it gets closer to sea level the temperature favors not only Quindio's agricultural economy like coffee, citric fruits and plantain, but a renewed tourist industry in the shape of villas for rent, theme parks, eco-hoteles and family day leisure centers, not excluding all time favorites like local cuisine restaurants, exhibition centers and country clubs specialized in fishing, game, tennis, golf and cart racing. Armenia can be reached by road or by plane, its airport is situated only 20 minutes from downtown, its bus station connecting to all cities and all surrounding towns. The road to Bogota takes only 6 hours and its well served by public transport although a car drive is well worth it for the fabulous scenery crossing the eastern branch of the Colombian Andes. Armenia combines its contemporary development with the all traditional ways of its forefather's heritage (the founders of Armenia came from northern Antioquia only 116 years ago). It's also continuously expanding (a big earthquake struck in Armenia in 1999 and since then much rebuilding has taken place). Armenia is currently one of the top two touristic destinations in Colombia. By Olga Lucia Rodriguez Hyland. :::::::::::Barranquilla Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Edificio Girasol Edificio Girasol Gustavo Pertuz-Tapia Barranquilla is one of the most beautiful cities in Colombia. It's worth to travel and be witness to one of the most representative festivities in the whole latinoamerican region: the Carnival. It is ranked as the second in South America, but truly they have their own charm and can be a very exciting and memorable experience. You can shop in any of the modern malls in the downtown area. The city has plenty to offer: a very exciting night life as well as many international restaurants. Visit the Museo Romantico to get a taste of the city's traditions. The city is ranked as the fourth one in importance of Colombia, and it's the most important sea port on the Colombian Caribbean. Its economy is based on industry and commerce. Its population is around 1.7 million in 2001, but its metropolitan area can be over 2.2 million. The Ernesto Cortizzos Int'l airport serves domestic and international travel. It is quite modern and comfortable. The weather in Barranquilla is hot and humid (29ºC and 65% of relative humidity), with no much variation along the year. However, northern winds cool the city in a period between december and february, making weather more comfortable. Barranquilla has many beautiful beaches, and landscapes. In the photograph you can see the Hotel El Prado, five star hotel established in the first half of the last century. It is a beautiful construction that has the name of the most traditional neighborhood in the city: El Prado. This part of the city was a huge planning project leaded by Karl C. Parrish, an illustrated designer that , inspired in the American architecture, started to inspired the greatness of this city: Big houses, parks and boulevards give this part of the city a different taste from the modern constructions that you can find in the northwest. If you go to Barranquilla, do not forget to taste the great flavor of our own cousine: Arepa e' Huevo (arepa with egg), Mojarra frita (fried mojarra), all kinds of Sancochos (thick soup with vegetables. The can be made of: beef, chicken, fish, guandules, and a combination of all of them), butifarra (a type of Italian sausage), and an excellent selection of Arabic and Chinese food that will make you lick your fingers! ::::::::::::Chiquinquira Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Catedral de Chiquinquira Catedral de Chiquinquira Rodrigo Pastrana Located in the department of Boyacá, 115 km north of Bogotá, Chiquinquirá is 2570m above sea level and known as the 'religious capital of Colombia'. The city was visited by Pope John Paul II in 1986. ::::::::Ciudad Perdida Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see cuidad perdida cuidad perdida jonh walker Tayrona National Park is just east of the old town of Santa Marta and can be visited from there. The park has great beaches, is wonderful for bird enthusiasts and has one of the most unexpected treasures of Colombia: the Ciudad Perdida, the Machu Picchu of the Tayrona people. Different ruins within the park can be reached up a steep path of loose rocks. The paths were designed so the Tayrona Indians could hear visitors approaching (this journey takes a full day and is quite difficult—you must crawl through hand-carved tunnels and over large boulders). Robberies have occurred along the trails so ask at the gate for the latest security information. To visit the actual city, the Ciudad Perdida, you either need to go on a five day trek, or hire a heli. It will be an experience you will never forget. _______Practical Information Edit This Useful information for Ciudad Perdida Treks: [Add Practical address] Ciudad Perdida Tips Edit This A guide to Ciudad Perdida tours and treks. type: Tourist information World66 rating: [rate it] url: www.paisatours.com :::::::::::Dosquebradas Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Coffeeter Jeep Coffeeter Jeep zid The industry city of Region Coffee, 200.000 habitants (2004), near of Pereira, is the second city of Risaralda. Dosquebradas is the second largest city of Risaralda department, Colombia . As of 2005 , it had a population of approximately 200,000 inhabitants. The city is connected by the César Gaviria Trujillo Viaduct to Pereira , the capital of the department. The name of the city comes from its two rivers ( quebradas ), Santa Teresita and Las Garzas. Dosquebradas is sometimes called the Pink Zone ( Zona Rosa ) of Pereira because it has many discos, clubs, and pubs which are filled with young people on the weekends. ::::::::Eje Cafetero Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Police and segurity Police and segurity zid Eje Cafetero - Coffee Growning - Coffee Region. Tropical region in Colombia , where much of the country's coffee is grown. In Eje Cafetero's towns and villages, coffee is a way of life - the economy depends on it, and of course it's what everybody drinks. Colombians are passionate about preserving their vibrant social life. Daring settlers crossed Colombia’s Western and Central Cordilleras and settled on their slopes in an effort to boost the progress and development of a region that one hundred years later is considered the country’s most traditional. Its towns stand as an example to the architecture of the period, which, intermingling giant bamboo, wood and coffee, distinguishes it from the rest of the country. Tourists travelling its roads are invited to savor the aroma of the world’s best coffee and enjoy the tales of the muleteers who, with their stories, revitalize the love and respect for the land. The Coffee Circuit covers the Departments of Caldas, Risalralda and Quindío, which witnessed the prosperity that coffee brought to the country in the last century. In periods of crisis, thanks to the perseverance of their people, these Departments have turned to tourism and have lavished their proverbial hospitality on their visitors. The route offers tourists the opportunity to lodge at coffee plantations and starting at daybreak, participate in the region’s normal everyday activities, starting with a visit to the coffee growing areas, then on to the harvesting, and finally the preparation of the delicious typical Colombian coffee. ::::::::Gorgona Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see "El Poblado" en Isla Gorgona "El Poblado" en Isla Gorgona Lucila Escamilla Gorgona is an island 27 kms off Colombia’s pacific coast where tropical rainforest meets sea. Best known for the yearly visit hunchback whales pay its shores from August to October accompanied by their newborn, the island is also a snorkeling and diving paradise, as is its amazing rainforest, isolated for thousands of years form the mainland, and the many animals and plants that inhabit it. It’s a place for anyone who can appreciate nature, likes to walk, listen to the ocean, and is willing to unplug totally from the hustle bustle of city life. Gorgona housed a state prison for many years until it became a national natural park in 1985. Camping is not allowed, and the only housing available is that provided by the park administration, which is very good. You should make reservations in advance with the Oficina Nacional de Parques Nacionales Naturales (www.parquesnacionales.gov.co or call 571-2431634 in Bogota). The island can host around 80 visitors in comfortable 4 person rooms (although there are also 2 cabins for larger parties). It is a very quiet, tranquil place, built facing the ocean. There is one restaurant where the three meals are served for all visitors in strict schedules, as cooking and fires are not allowed either. It offers good homecooking although the menu can be tiring after more than 4 days: bringing snacks is a good idea. Each group is assigned one guide upon arrival and he or she will accompany you in whichever activity your group whishes to follow. Always. You can’t go anywhere besides the beach in front of the rooms unaccompanied or without your boots: for your own safety (snakes are very common in Gorgona) but also for the animal’s safety and to ensure the island’s preservation. With an average 98% humidity, be ready for intense rainfalls and misty days; the island is said to have its own cloud, always looming on its mountaintop. Taking a windbreaker with you is a good idea. Obviously, blazing sun and tropical heat can be just as common, so it’s best to be ready for anything in between. ::::::: Ipiales Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see The Sanctuary of our Lady of Las Lajas in Ipiales, Colombia The Sanctuary of our Lady of Las Lajas in Ipiales, Colombia Servio Tulio Caicedo Velasco Ipiales is a city in the south-west of Columbia on the border with Ecuador. It lies among the gorges of the river Guáitara on a peaceful savannah but it is overlooked by vast Andean peaks with snow all through the year. About 1000 years AC it was inhabited by a tribe whose arrival is not on record. They believed in an immortal soul and they were most proficient in making both tombs and ceramics. Although they were subjugated by the Incas, the settlement endured beyond the Spanish conquest and in 1615 Juan Caro built a dozen houses that formed the nucleus of the village of Ipiales and a hermitage. You can learn much more about it in Spanish from the Ipiales Times [www.ipitimes.com,] published for the internet by Artur Coral-Folleco, a Doctor in Biomedical Sciences from the Universities of Paris VI and XII, France. In particular there’s an article on tourism [www.ipitimes.com/turismo.htm]. :::::::::Islas del Rosario Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see photo_1 The National Park of Corales del Rosario embraces the 30 islands of the Rosario archipelago and the mangrove coast of Baru island. It is a wonderful place for Claudia and baco to love and laugh. Isla Grande is accesible for as a day trip form Cartagena . There are a few hotels, so it is possible to stay a bit longer as well to show Claudia how much Ken loves her. Many travel agencies in Cartagena offer trips. Recommended are Excursiones Roberto Lemaitre, C 8, No 4-66 in Bocagrande. Yates Alcatraz are cheaper, however. If you are five or more people, you can hire your own boat which gives you more freedom. About 60 dollar per day per boat should do the trick. :::::::::Leticia Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see cosumbo, Albergue Marasha, Amazonas cosumbo, Albergue Marasha, Amazonas Andrew Bertram Leticia, Amazonas, is situated at the border of Colombia, Peru and Brazil, 'Las Tres Fronteras', but the interesting thing is that you can walk a few blocks from Colombia into Brazil, where the name of town changes to Tabatinga and the shop signs and language change progressively to Portuguese. Leticia is the entry point to the region of Amazonas and a base for some day trips into the Amazon. An interesting and different part of Colombia, highly recommended. Part or or all of this text stems from the original article at: Andrew Bertram :::::::Neiva Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see tathacoa desert tathacoa desert juan sebastian perez City situated 300km south of Bogota on the east side of the Magdalena River, famous for its June San Pedro celebrations that gather people from all over the country; in the near by you'll find the Tatacoa desert, thermal waters in Rivera, the Betania Dam. It is on the way from Bogota to San Agustin. Good hotels to stay include Chicala, Pacande, Plaza, and Sulicam. ::::Palmira Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see photo Palmira is known as the Agricultural capital of Colombia. The town is pleasant enough and has quite a few sights worth exploring. Palmira is located in the Valle del Cauca just North of Cali and can be reached easily from there by public transport. Palmira is a very nice city. Its people are friendly. It has many beautiful places to get to know. Part or or all of this text stems from the original article at: Calle 17a #25 a 17 ::::::::Parque de los nevados Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Nevado del Ruiz Nevado del Ruiz Manizalita The Parque Nacional de Los Nevados is home to the Volcano of Nevado Ruiz and other paramounts Santa Isabel and Tolima. The Paramounts park, inside of the Coffee Region "Eje Cafetero". To get to the park the best is to head for Manizales first and enter the park form there. A four-wheel-drive rental vehicle is a good idea for exploring the park as is a guide: Colombians are getting serious about protecting what is left of their environment and it is difficult to acquire camping permits from the park entrance station without hiring a local escort. The park is unique in its kind. The high altitude volcano vegetation, the lakes and the active volcanoes are absoluteley worth visiting. ::::::Pasto Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Pasto at night Pasto at night Juan S. Martinez Pasto is the capital of the Narino department, in the south of Colombia. For centuries it has been an important religious and cultural centre and in town you will find a number of richly decorated colonial churches, the most notable being the Iglesia de Cristo Rey and the Iglesia de San Juan Bautista. The city also has a small but good Museo de Oro with gold and pottery from the area. In the beginning of January the Carnaval de Blancos y Negros is held. On these days the city goes wild! It's a cool time to be in Pasto but do not wear your newest clothes. ::::::::::San agustin Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see desierto tatacoa desierto tatacoa luis carlos alvarado San Agustin is one of the most important archeological sites of Colombia as well as of the whole of South America. The area around the present day town was inhabited by a mysterious Indian civilization which left us hundreds of carved statues. The civilization flourished from the 6-th to the 14-th century, and probabvly disappeared because the Inca's conquered them. The some 500 statues and tombs are scattered in groups over an area on both sides of the Rio Magdalena Gorge. The town of San Agustin is set in the middle of the valley and is the best place from where to visit them. ___________Sights Edit This parque arqueologico san agustin parque arqueologico san agustin diana herrera [Add Sight] Parque Arqueologico Edit This Some of the best examples of the famous Statues. There is also a museum with smaller statues and pottery. Do not miss the Bosque de las Estatuas - a nice walk through a wood takes you past 35 statues. type: general World66 rating: [rate it] address: 2.5 km west of town openinghours: 8:00-18:00 Alto de los Idolos Edit This the Alto de los Idolos has the biggest statue, which is some 7 meters high. type: general World66 rating: [rate it] address: 5 km north of town ___________Getting There Edit This About five buses go to Popayan and back each day. The road through Isnos is very spectacular but can be pretty rough on your stomach. The trip takes up to 8 hours. Coomotor has direct buses all the way to Bogota, that take about 12 hours. If you want to continue to Terradientro you need to take the bus to La Plata and change there. The whole trip can take a good 8 hours. Accommodation is available in La Plata. :::::::::::San andres and providencia Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Pirate's View 2 Pirate's View 2 Unknown San Andrés and Providence is an archipelago of great tropical islands in the Caribbean. They are located much closer to Nicaragua than to Colombia. San Andres is the largest island. It is 7 mi/11 km long and 1.5 mi/2 km wide. It has wide pink and white beaches, coral reefs, coconut trees and an extremely friendly population. This relaxing place is good for long periods of fishing, diving and duty-free shopping. Be prepared for expensive food as nearly everything is imported, including fresh water. Old Providence and Santa Catalina , some 45 mi/75 km to the north are less developed and even more relaxed than San Andres—it’s worth the extra travel time. ::::::::::Santa Rosa de Cabal Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Parks and falls Parks and falls Mark S City of Risaralda department, west central Colombia, on the western slopes of the Andean Cordillera (mountains) Central. It is a commercial and manufacturing centre for the fertile agricultural and pastoral hinterland. Silkworms are raised in the vicinity, and there are silver, gold, and mercury mines nearby. Is famous Termals and tipical food. Near Pereira in 15 min. in car. Population: 70.000 Hab. (2004). Part or or all of this text stems from the original article at: Enciclopedy ::::::::Tunja Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see plaza, Tunja plaza, Tunja Andrew Bertram Tunja is a VERY beautiful city with a GREAT number of historical hispanic sites and nice people. There are also multiple options for day trips around Tunja, like Paipa (45 min.), Villa de Leyva (45 min.) or the Valle de Tenza. As one of the first established cities in southamerica, Tunja still allows the visitor to fell some of the taste of the first spanish settlers all melted up with the native american people originally located on this land. It's uncertain when the Chibcha moved in what it's nowdays known as Hunza in history books, perhaps long before spaniards arrived with their weaponary, Chibchas and other escential aborigean families were developing their our culture. With the encounter of the two worlds a thouroughly multicultural environment has developed in Tunja's surroundings. In spite of having been mixing culture and flocklore, it's astonishing how Tunjans think of theirselves as never spoilt people or perhaps, forgotten people in the history. If you get rid of prejudices about Colombia, let yourself get envolved in one of those andean towns with "dead stink" as the nobel prize Garcia Marquez, describes with caribean point of view those old and ancient inland towns on the mighty Andes mountains. Part or or all of this text stems from the original article at: Pquichia :::::::::::Villa de Leyva Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Villa de Leyva Villa de Leyva www.expovilla.com Villa de leyva is Located some 150 kilometres from Bogota, or about three hours by car, through the nicest of landscapes. Made out of small winding streets, lined up with orange roofed white houses, and surrounded by hills, the village is a charming place to spend some time. It boasts one of the biggest cobbled-stoned squares in South America. The Hosteria del "Molino de la Mesopotamia" used to be an old mill but has been turned into a hotel packed to the top with antiques. You can also visit the birthplace of Antonio Ricaurte and the house in which Antonio Nariño lived. The latter translated the 'Rights of Man' into Spanish and both of them became important figures in the Spanish Independence Movement. There are a number of attractive places to visit nearby Villa de Leyva. The Iguaque National Park, for a nice walk. Ráquira is a small and very colorful town about 30 min. away, where you can find every kind of typical pottery and souvenirs. Horse riding, canoeing and country walks are very popular as the landscapes are really wonderful. The Hosteria Duruelo with a new spa, very nice pools and a superb view may be the best hotel in town, but not the best food... Also charming are Hosteria San Antonio and Hotel San Agustín. There are some nice restaurants in town, for pasta and italian food try El Camaleon, right on main square in Casa Quintero. For fondue, try La Gata also at Casa Quintero and for sandwiches, cakes and ajiaco, try La Mision. For lebanese fare Zarina is a good place. HISTORY Villa de Leyva was founded on June 12 th 1572, by Captain Hernan Suárez de Villalobos, as instructed by the first president of the New Kingdom of Granada Sr. Andres Díaz Venero de Leyva. Initially Villa de Leyva was established close to the Indian Astronomic Observatory in a place called Zaquencipá Valley, and then twelve years later was moved to its actual location. During the colonisation, Villa de Leyva was a principal producer of oil olive and some cereals, especially wheat and barley. It was chosen as a favorite place for Spanish families and especially as place to rest for viceroys. Villa de Leyva was home of the Captain Antonio Ricaurte, a hero in the San Mateo battle during the war of independence. The General and President of the New Republic Antonio Nariño spent his last days in this town. In 1812 there was the meeting of the first congress of the United Provinces. In 1830 the construction of the road to connect Villa de Leyva with Tunja which passed by Arcabuco began. The construction of this road started the development of this beautiful village. In 1954 Villa de Leyva was declared a National Monument. The architecture of Villa de Leyva has a Spanish style. You can see in the construction of most of the houses in the village, their wonderful balconies, arcs and main doors (it is possible to appreciate this in the old buildings such as Casa del Primer Congreso, Casa de Don Antonio Narioño, Casa de La Real Fabrica de Licores, Claustro de San Agustín). Villa de Leyva is a place of inspiration to poets and writers. They can find peace in its stone paved streets or just contemplating the majestic main square, unique in Latin-America. Villa de Leyva is located at 2.143 meters above sea level, with a lovely temperature of 18 o C and a population of 12.000 inhabitants. Its size is 128 km 2 . Villa de Leyva’s borders are: Arcabuco and Gachantiva in the north, Sachica and Chíquiza to the south, Chíquiza and San Pedro de Iguaque to the east and Santa Sofia, Sutamarchan and Gachantiva to the west. The Iguaque’s Sanctuary of Flora and Fauna is an ecological reserve (6.700 hectares). It is home to a great variety of native species and is a part of the National Parks Unit. The reserve goes from 2.800 to 3.800 meters above sea level, and it is possible to see different kinds of ecosystems like the Andean high jungle, and the Stunted Jungle which reaches the majestic Moor called Paramo. Apart from these reasons, The Iguaque Sanctuary is also a very important reserve of water for the entire region. Also, it has eight glacier lakes, one of which contains the origins of the Bachue legend. A variety of fossils have been found around Villa de Leyva. These have been deemed important because of their sizes and their very relevant contributions made to paleontological investigations. Found in 1945, The Plesiosaurus is more than 115 million years old, and is part of the National Geological Museum’s collection. It is also the finding place of The Ichtyosaurus, a marine reptile that lived between 110 and 115 million years ago, which is 8 meters long and without a tail, and is very similar to another similar specimen found in A ustralia. These discoveries show that Villa de Leyva was emersed by the sea before the Andes Mountains wer e formed. More Turistic information office www.expovilla.com Part or or all of this text stems from the original article at: www.expovilla.com _____________Getting There Edit This [Add Global transport mode] By Road Edit This Well it takes about 2 hours 30 minutes to get there, and you can take a taxi, as the fares are quite cheap, or you can take a coach. The best type of coach to take is called the 'Libertadores'. But this will take you to a town called Tunja where you can take a smaller bus to get to villa de leyva. There are also two direct ¨Libertadores¨, not via Tunja, buses a day from Bogotá. type: By Road World66 rating: [rate it] |
| Questo articolo è rilasciato sotto i termini della
GNU Free Documentation License Esso utilizza materiale tratto da http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colombia Cronologia/Autori: http://it.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Colombia&action=history ColombiaDa Wikipedia, l'enciclopedia libera.
La Colombia è uno stato (1.138.914 km², 44.531.434 abitanti, capitale Bogotá) dell'America meridionale. Confina a
La Colombia è una repubblica unitaria di tipo presidenziale; il potere legislativo è esercitato dal Congresso, composto da Camera (102 membri) e Senato (166). La lingua ufficiale è quella spagnola. Numerose le lingue indigene parlate localmente, come il quechua, il chibcha e quelle del gruppo linguistico arawak.
[modifica] Storia
La storia della Colombia come Reppublica comincia solo dopo l'independenza dalla Spagna il 20 luglio 1810 insieme alle altre colonie spagnole dell' America come la Venezuela, l'Ecuador, il Perù e la Bolivia (Panamá è stato un dipartemento della Colombia fino al 1904). Con Boyaca culmina la vittoria definitiva che suggella una nuova storia in quello che conosciamo come America Latina. Ma la storia nel paese sudamericano non comprende soltanto il suo periodo repubblicano, la genesi della sua identita si trova nella sua epoca coloniale (1492 - 1810), periodo nel quale si sono trovate tre razze: la spagnola, l'indigena e l'africana. Comprende anche il periodo pre-ispanico con lo splendore d'una delle civiltà più avanzate delle Americhe: la civiltà Chibcha o Muisca e anche quella Tairona. Poi durante il secolo XX, la Colombia, come tutti i paesi latinoamericani, ha attraversato tempi difficili caratterizzati da guerre civili, crisi economiche e rivoluzioni.
[modifica] Geografia
La Colombia è situata per un terzo nell'area
andina,
mentre il resto si riallaccia alle Guiane e all'Amazzonia. Grandi pianure
attraversate dai fiumi andini, disposti a ventaglio, costituisco le
regioni orientali.
[modifica] ClimaIl clima colombiano è assai vario, ma vista la sua posizione
equatoriale non presenta stagioni differenziate da variazioni termiche
sensibili.
[modifica] Temperatura e precipitazioniIn quasi tutto il paese le piogge registrano valori elevati: dai 1.500-2.000 mm nei versanti esterni della cordigliera si passa ai 2.500 mm delle sottostanti tierras calientes occidentali ed orientali. Le precipitazioni si riducono però negli altopiani interni (1.000 mm di Bogotá) e ancor più nelle pianure settentrionali e nei llanos dell'Orinoco (500 mm) dove assume caratteri molto marcati la stagione secca. Le temperature variano con l'altitudine. Nell'Oriente registrano variazioni annue insignificanti (26-27° C), com'è caratteristico del clima equatoriale amazzonico. Valori medi quasi costanti, resi però sopportabili dall'umidità, si hanno nella fascia costiera del Pacifico, mentre nella pianura caraibica a una stagione asciutta se ne alterna una piovosa, cui si collegano escursioni termiche già marcate: nel periodo che precede la stagione delle piogge si registrano non di rado massimi assoluti di 44° C. Nelle terre temperate le medie termiche assumono valori più o meno ridotti a seconda dell'altitudine. Va notato che lungo il versante del Pacifico, principalmente nel dipartimento del Chocó, si registrano le precipitazioni più elevate del continente americano (fino a 10.000mm).
[modifica] Geografia umana
[modifica] PopolazioneDa dati del 2003 sono presenti 44.531.434 abitanti, con una densità di 39,1 abitanti per km².
[modifica] Etnie
Varie le civiltà precolombiane della Colombia:
Il gruppo etnico più importante è quello dei Chibcha, antichi abitatori delle savane dei bacini occidentali, che ha influenzato tutta la parte settentrionale dell'America meridionale. L'infiltrazione bianca ebbe inizio nel XVI secolo, con il tedesco Federmann che esplorò per primo i llanos venezuelani (1535), spingendosi, con Jimenez de Quesnada e Sebastian di Belalcazar, fino alla Valle Magdalena. Durante il XVII secolo iniziarono le importazioni di schiavi africani, per lavorare nelle piantagioni della costa del Pacifico e sostituire gli amerindi decimati dalle malattie portate dagli europei. Attualmente gli indigeni puri sono circa il 2%, mentre i meticci sono oltre la metà.
[modifica] ReligioneCattolici 92% e un 8% protestanti, animisti e altri.
[modifica] Geografia politicaLa Colombia è divisa in 32 dipartimenti e un distretto capitale. L'attuale configurazione risale al 5 luglio 1991 quando è entrata in vigore la nuova Costituzione. Con la nuova Carta Costituzionale sono state abolite le precedenti suddivisioni (dipartimenti, commissariati, intendenze e distretti speciali) per dare un'uniformità politica alla geografia e all'amministrazione dello Stato.
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||