The capital of Colombia, Bogotá lies thousands of feet above sea level, in the northern Andes Mountains of South America. Although Bogotá is in the tropics, only 400 miles (640 kilometers) north of the Equator, its high elevation gives it a pleasant climate. It is the country's main cultural center. It is also one of the largest cities in the northern part of South America. Bogotá is also called Santa Fé de Bogotá.

Places of interest

Bogotá has a mixture of old and new buildings. When the Spanish settled there in the 1500s, they arranged the central (downtown) part of the city in a grid pattern—like a giant checkerboard—but newer parts of the city were not so carefully planned. Streets in the newer sections spread out in many directions.

At the center of Bogotá is a historic town square called the Plaza Bolívar, where the city government and Roman Catholic cathedral are located. The city's narrow downtown streets are often jammed with cars and pedestrians who are there to shop, meet friends, and travel between work and home. The city has several major museums, libraries, and theaters. The Gold Museum has thousands of objects made from gold before Europeans reached the Americas in 1492. Two of Colombia's oldest universities are in Bogotá: Xavier Pontifical University, which was begun in 1622, and the University of Santo Tomás, which opened in 1580.

The mountain peak known as Monserrate is a popular site. At the top people can see the whole city stretching out below. At the foot of Monserrate is a colonial mansion that was once the home of Simón Bolívar, the famous general and “Liberator” of South America. It is now a museum for some of Bolívar's personal possessions. Tequendama Falls is a spectacular waterfall just south of Bogotá.

Economy

Bogotá's economy depends on a mixture of businesses, including services such as banking and finance, education, and health care. All of the nation's largest banks are located in the city. Manufacturing is also important. Major products include tires, chemicals, and medicines.

History

Native American people known as Chibchas lived in the area around Bogotá, which they called Boyacá, before Spanish conquerors took control of the city in 1538. The Spanish made Bogotá the capital of an area that included the countries now known as Venezuela, Colombia, Panama, and Ecuador. For the next 300 years money came into the city from the Spanish government and from surrounding farms, ranches, and gold mines. Few industries developed, however.

During the years 1810 and 1811 some citizens of Bogotá revolted against the Spanish. However, they did not win the war of independence for several years. In 1821 Bogotá was made the capital of the new country of Gran Colombia, which was basically the same area as the old Viceroyalty of New Grenada. The city grew very slowly during the 1800s because of its mountain location, which made it difficult to reach, and also because several civil wars took place in Colombia.

In 1948 riots erupted in Bogotá, sparking a violent 10-year period known as the bogotazo. Despite the violence, the population of the city grew rapidly after 1950. In the late 20th and early 21st century, anti-government rebels and other armed groups committed several murders and kidnappings in Bogotá. Drug smuggling was also a major concern for the city and for the whole country. Population (1999 estimate), 6,260,862.