People
may think that Bogota is some wild, dangerous place, somewhere deep
in the jungles of Colombia, just like they've seen in the movies.
But nothing can be further from the truth. Bogota is a beautiful,
modern city perched high on a mountain plateau with perennially
crisp fall like weather. It's home to dozens of universities, international
corporations, and millions of industrious, hard working people.
There you will find an interesting mix of ancient colonial architecture
and modern cityscape that seems to capture the imagination of all
who visit. You will be amazed by the amount of familiar sights here
(McDonalds*Dunkin Donuts*HardRockCafe*KFC*TGI Friday*Pizza Hut*just
to name a few) as well as the abundant malls and night clubs. You
will also be fascinated by the friendliness and humility of the
people here. With rare exception, everyone who visits Bogota falls
in love with the city and vows to return to visit, or at times even
to live. We invite you to visit Colombia, you are always welcome
here.
Read More About Bogota....
Bogota D.C. a city in central Colombia, is the country's capital,
located at an elevation of about 8,660 ft. on a mountain rimmed
plateau high in the Cordillera Oriental of the Andes Mountains.
This gives it constant spring like weather. It lies only 4°36' north
of the equator.
Bogotá was founded on the 6th of August 1538 by the Spanish conquistador
Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada who fought the Chibcha Indians near the
site of the populous tribe center called Bacatá. The new city became
the vice-regal capital of New Granada in 1717. It was captured by
Simón Bolívar in 1819 and was the capital of the independent nation
of Great Colombia (which included modern day Colombia, Ecuador,
Panama, and Venezuela). It became the capital of New Granada (later
renamed Colombia) in 1830 when Great Colombia was dissolved.
The city grew slowly because Bogotanos wished to preserve their
old culture. They cherished their churches, convents, homes (built
in the ornate Spanish colonial style) and the National University,
founded in 1573. They also prided themselves on speaking the purest
Spanish in the New World. The city expanded rapidly after 1940
as large numbers of rural Colombians migrated there in search
of greater economic opportunities. It is sometimes called the
Athens of South America. Bogotá is now Colombia's largest financial,
political, and cultural center. The National University of Colombia
and many other universities located there make Bogotá the nation's
chief educational center.
Today Bogotá is a cosmopolitan city in continuous expansion. It
is one of the fastest growing metropolitan areas, not only in
Colombia, but also in South America. Its almost 6 million inhabitants
include a multitude of immigrants from all over the world, which
makes the capital a true microcosm of the nation. Modern high
rises and skyscrapers contrast with old houses of colonial and
republican architecture. Bogotá offers residents and visitors
everything that a modem city can give. Cultural activities abound
and its enormous selection of restaurants, bars and nightclubs
offers all kinds of food and entertainment.
A picturesque city, it is known for its colonial architecture,
its collection of pre-Colombian gold art, and its bookshops and
splendid colonial churches. It is also a city of futuristic architecture,
modern highrises, brilliant museums, and skyscrapers. Bogotá offers
residents and visitors everything that a modem city can give including
a vibrant and diverse cultural and intellectual life. It is also
a city of Dickensian waifs, beggars, shantytowns and traffic jams.
This amazing mixture of prosperity and poverty, Masseratis and mules,
makes it one of the world's most chaotic, fascinating and aggressive
metropolises. Tourists that visit Bogotá fall in love with the city,
and would like to remain forever there.
Major suburbs include Bosa, Engativá, Fontibón, Suba, Usaquén,
and Usme. Industries include printing and publishing, motor-vehicle
assembly, food processing, and the manufacture of beverages, textiles,
metals goods, machinery, and electrical equipment. Many banks and
corporations maintain their headquarters in the city. Railroads
and highways, including the Pan-American Highway, link the city
with other major centers. The international Eldorado Airport is
nearby.