Cundinamarca
Bogota
State
Country
Colombia
Continent
South America
Size
1,775 KM2
Population
10,978,000
Spending Budget
$25 - $40
Famous For
- Monserrate
- Museo Del Oro
Best Time to Visit
- January
- February
- March
- December
History
The area of modern Bogota was first populated by groups of indigenous people who migrated south based on the relation with the other Chibcha languages, the Bogota savanna was the southernmost Chibcha-speaking group that exists from Nicaragua to the Andes in Colombia. The civilisation built by the Muisca, who settled in the valleys and fertile highlands of and surrounding the Altiplano Cundiboyacense was one of the great civilisations in the Americas. The agriculture and salt-based society of the people was rich in gold trade and mummification. The religion of the Muisca consisted of various gods, mostly related to natural phenomena as the Sun and his wife, the Moon: Chia, rain Chibchacum, rainbow Cuchavira and with building and feasting and wisdom. Their complex lunisolar calendar, deciphered by Manuel Izquierdo based on work by Duquesne, followed three different sets of years, the sidereal and synodic months were represented. Bogota was founded as the capital of the New Kingdom of Granada on 6 August 1538, by Spanish conquistador Gonzalo Jimenez de Quesada after a harsh expedition into the Andes conquering the Muisca.
Present Day
The following physical aspects of Bogota have changed substantially: pedestrian zones, road infrastructure, especially the implementation of paths reserved exclusively for bicycles, the revitalization of parks and sidewalks, and the implementation of the Transmilenio bus rapid transit system. Bogota has experienced important recent social changes. Coverage of public domestic services (water, electricity, telephones, and gas) has increased and efforts have been made to include the poorest neighborhoods. The administration of Enrique Penalosa (1998-2000) formalized the provision of water, electricity, and paved roads to 316 mostly low-income neighborhoods, and invested 1.3 trillion pesos (US $800 million) which benefited 650,000 marginalized persons. Revenues and public investment went up under Mayor Mockus and Mayor Penalosa. In the last years of the 1990s, Bogota doubled its tax revenues, credit qualifications for internal debt improved considerably, and internal debt also doubled. Between 1997 and 2000 total public sector income increased from 1.883 to 3.692 trillion pesos (US $1.255 billion to US $2.461 billion). The strengthening of public sector revenue was the result of an increase in the gasoline tax, the application of an enforcement campaign to reduce tax evasion, updating information for real estate taxes, simplification of some taxes, raising real estate tax assessments to reflect the benefits from public infrastructure investments, and readjustment of public service tariffs
Future
Bogota,D.C and formerly known as Santa Fe de Bogota during the time of the colony and between 1991 and 2000, is the capital and largest city of Colombia, administered as the Capital District, as well as the capital of the department of Cundinamarca. Bogota is a territorial entity of the first order, with the same administrative status as the departments of Colombia. It is the political, economic, administrative and industrial centre of the country. Bogota occupies a sloping plain at the base of two mountains, Guadalupe and Monserrate, upon whose crests stand two imposing churches. The city is laid out in a grid pattern and has several plazas, or squares, including the Plaza Bolívar, along which face the principal public buildings and churches. Modern apartment towers stand alongside buildings dating from the colonial period. The Bogota savanna is popularly called savannah but constitutes a high plateau in the Andes mountains, part of an extended region known as the Altiplano Cundiboyacense, which means "high plateau of Cundinamarca and Boyaca". Bogota is the largest city in the world at its elevation; there is no urban area that is both higher and more populous than Bogota. It has a subtropical highland climate bordering on a warm-summer Mediterranean climate. The average temperature is 14.5 °C varying from 6 to 19 °C on sunny days to 10 to 18 °C on rainy days. Dry and rainy seasons alternate throughout the year
Ciclovia
The ciclovia is a weekly closure of some of the principal streets in Bogota to open a safe space for walkers, runners, bikers, and the like to enjoy some outdoors every Sunday from 7am to 2pm. Not only is participating in the almost 40 year-old event a good way to see the city, it's also a chance to try some wonderful street food and get to see a more relaxed side to the busy and sometimes wrongly stereotyped Bogotanos.
Simon Bolivar Park
The Simon Bolivar Park is slightly larger than New York's Central Park. It is a nice spot with lakes, bike paths, walkways and a public library. West of the park is the Botanical Garden Jose Celestino Mutis, it has a variety of national flora from different climatic zones, some in gardens and others in greenhouses.
Museo Santa Clara
Santa Clara is one of the oldest churches in all of Colombia, and its interior is also one of the most extravagantly decorated. Built over a 50-year span in the 17th century, the church is filled with ornate features such as a barrel vault ceiling painted in a gold floral motif and nearly 150 sculptures and paintings of saints decorating the building’s walls.
Parque 93
In Northern Bogota, in the district of Chapinero, you’ll find Parque 93. Also known as Parque de la 93, this is considered to be the hotspot for dining and nightlife in Bogota. During the day, Parque 93 is an excellent place to sightsee, take a stroll or just enjoy the sunshine at the park itself. There are frequent music and art festivals within the park, not to mention an abundance of rotating public art installations.
Iglesia de San Francisco
One of the most important religious landmarks in Bogota is the Iglesia de San Francisco. Built between 1557 and 1621, the building is the oldest surviving church in the city. Since it is located just steps from the famed Museum of Gold, the Iglesia de San Francisco is a popular place to explore.
Plaza de Bolivar
The energetic main square in the heart of Bogota is the Plaza de Bolivar. Surrounding the plaza, you’ll find several historic buildings including neoclassical palaces, government buildings and the largest church in all of Colombia.
Museo Botero
The Museo Botero is named after Fernando Botero, who is the best-known and most influential Colombian artist of all time. Also known as the Banco de la Republica Art Collection, this museum houses Botero’s personal art collection. When you visit the museum, you’ll be able to see over 3,000 pieces of art dating from the 16th century all the way to today.
Monserrate
The city of Bogota is dominated by a mountain called Monserrate. At the top of the peak is a church and a shrine, and you’ll also be able to access stunning views over the city below. Also at the top are two lovely restaurants and plenty of souvenir stalls.
Le Candelaria
Arguably the most important district in the city is La Candelaria. This is the heart of the Bogota, and it is where Simon Bolivar escaped, the revolutionary heroine Policarpa Salavarrieta was executed and the revolution began with Grito de Libertad.
Museo del Oro
There are several fantastic museums in Bogota, but one of the most fascinating is the Museo del Oro, or the Museum of Gold. Before Columbus and other European explorers came to Colombia, gold was a significant part of the local culture and heritage. The Museo del Oro explores that, featuring an amazing collection of gold that dates from centuries past.