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Bogota
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Bogota D.C. is
the capital of Colombia, and the capital of the department of Cundinamarca.
Bogota is located in the center of the country, 2,640 meters above sea level, on
a plateau of the Eastern mountain range of The Andes. Bogotá is the quintessence
of all things Colombian: a city of futuristic architecture, a vibrant and
diverse cultural and intellectual life, splendid colonial churches and brilliant
museums. Bogota's name comes from the Chibcha word Bacatá. Bacata was the
territory of the zipa (overlord) of the Chibcha or Muisca Indian tribes that
inhabited the region before the arrival of the Spaniards. Gonzalo Jimenez of
Quesada was the first European to set foot in the lands of the Chibchas nation
in 1538. He founded the city of Santa Fe (today known as Bogotá D.C.) that
became the center of the government of the territory called the New Kingdom of
Granada, and where the Royal Court of Santa Fe was established. Later, the city
adopted the name of Santafé de Bogotá. In 1945 it became "Special District" and
its official name was Bogotá D.E.
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With the
Constitution of 1991 the city was named Santafé de Bogotá for the second time
and received the status of Capital District. In the year 2000 its name changed
back to Bogotá D.C. It is also a city of Dickensian waifs, beggars, shantytowns,
drug dealers and traffic jams. This amazing mixture of prosperity and poverty,
Maseratis and mules, makes it one of the world's most chaotic, fascinating and
aggressive metropolises. Sights to look out for include: Museo del Oro, which
contains many relics of pre-Colombian history and is perhaps the most important
museum of its kind in the world; Museo Nacional, which contains a wealth of
exhibits ranging from pre-Columbian to contemporary art; Iglesia de Santa Clara,
with its fresco-lined interior, images and altarpieces; Iglesia de San Ignacio,
one of the most richly decorated churches in the country; the colonial barrio of
La Candelaria, the oldest quarter in the city; Cerro de Monserrate, a peak
flanking the city which is famous as a site of many miracles; and Jardin
Botánico José Celestino Mutis, lovely botanical garden. |
"Shakira" you
made Colombia proud ..
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Walking the city's
streets and observing the mad to-ing and fro-ing, the avalanches of busetas, the
extravagant stores and roadside stalls, is as fascinating as contemplating the
serene atmosphere of the city's colonial churches and museums, so give yourself
plenty of time for this sort of exploration. It's worth hanging out and watching
the bosques at the Plaza de Santander, browsing at the Sunday flea market at
Mercado de las Pulgas and looking (but not buying) at the street emerald market
at the southwestern corner of Avenida Jiménez and Carrera 7. There is also a
lively arts and entertainment scene that features theater and classical musical,
discos amplifying sinuous Cuban rhythms in the trendy Zona Rosa, around Carrera
15, plus plenty of venues for watching soccer and bullfighting. Most budget
travelers gravitate to La Candelaria, which has cheap accommodation and food.
Fifty kilometers (31mi) northeast of Bogotá is the colonial town of Guatavita
and the famous Laguna de Guatavita, the ritual center and sacred lake of the
Musica Indians, and the cradle of the El Dorado myth. |
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There is a great
variety of hotels, suites, apartment-hotels and inns within the city and near
the El Dorado International Airport. You will find a great variety of
restaurants that serve regional food, seafood, Latin American food,
international food, vegetarian and health food restaurants. Pastry shops,
bakeries, tea-rooms. If you have a sweet tooth, visit our best pastry shops in
the city. There is available a wide variety of of stores . There are clothing
stores that sell clothes from all over the word, household articles, electronic
products stores, music stores, art shops, bookstores, jewelry stores,
drugstores, car agencies, supermarkets and markets with a great variety of
foods... whatever you need, you will find it in Bogota. There are many places
all over the city to have a great time and dance the night away. There are a
variety of great bars and pubs, places to dance salsa, cumbia, porro, vallenata
music, soft music, rock, hard rock, places with crossover music, places to
listen to jazz, blues etc. Visitors who enjoy gambling, will be welcome to visit
the casinos around the city. |
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