Â鶹APP

Top 15 Facts about the city of Bogota

Image: Pixabay

The city of rhythm; music and coffee! Bogota is the city of Colombia- the county in South America. If you have heard of Colombia before, you must know that it is synonymous with culture, tropical rainforests, nature, and beaches, of course! The city is located in the Andean Region, one of Colombia’s six regions. 

Here are twenty other very interesting facts about this city!

1. Gateway to South America

Bogota is also known as the gateway to South America because of its location; it connects North and Central America in the Northwestern part of the continent.

2. One of the highest points in the Americas

Image: Wikipedia

 Bogota lies at a whopping 8,660 ft above sea level. This might explain the subtropical climate with an annual temperature of 14.4 degrees Celsius. This is the third-highest point in South America. There are no seasons in Bogota, you get sunshine all year round, with rain and dry season a few months a year.

3. Capital City 

Spain colonized Colombia, and the country became a republic in 1819 the country was then called Gran Colombia and after independence, it became the Republic of Colombia on July 20th, 1819; and Bogota became the capital city.

4. Museum of Gold

Image: Wikipedia

This has to be one of the most visited places in Colombia. The Gold Museum receives over 500,000 tourists every year! The museum, as the name suggests, displays an array of gold and other rocks such as the Tumbaga and has a collection of over 34,000 pre-Colombian gold items. 

5. Festivals!

Image: Wikimedia Commons

Bogota plays host to the Festival Iberoamericano de Teatro, the biggest theater festival in the world. It is also home to the Feria Internacional del Libro, one of the three main Spanish –Speaking America’s book fairs.

6. Legendary music

The music culture in Bogota is so rich and powerful, that in 2013, it was named UNESCO City of Music! The city boasts of more than 60 music festivals and more than 400 live music venues all year round. The city’s music scene has all kinds of genres; salsa, jazz, pop, gospel, rock, opera, classical, electronic, tropical, just to name a few. The ‘Festivales al Parque’, a program started in 1995, which was meant to improve the city’s reputation and image through art and music. 

7. Bogota’s foundation

Bogota dates back to 1538, therefore it is safe to say that the city has been in existence for over 400 years! Now, the city is one of the most important in the Americas, with a robust population and exports crude oil, petroleum, coffee, coal, and even gold! The city now has a robust population, from 68 indigenous groups, a gypsy population, and the raizal and Afro-Colombian groups.

8. Market time 

Image: Wikimedia Commons

Being a cultural and food city, Bogota is known for its amazing markets and when one is in the city, there is a variety of markets to shop. Get amazing coffee, tobacco, flowers, and even cocoa. Oh, you can also buy emeralds in the city, since there is plenty of it and is readily available in the city!

9. Athens of America

Bogota is known as the Athens of America because it’s the center of education, finance, and culture just like Athens. The city is over 400 years old therefore it has a history and rich culture! The city now has over 11 million people. The city, then known as Bagata by the Muisca people was a hub for a civilization even before the Spanish arrived and settled there. 

10. Art!

Image: Wikimedia Commons

Ever wondered where you can get to see Picasso’s work in the Americas? Wonder no more! The Botero Museum in Bogota has an amazing collection of art pieces from artists like Picasso, Renoir, Monet, and others. An art enthusiast’s haven! 

11. Graffiti

Image: Wikimedia Commons

There is an amazing array of street art in Bogota. Most buildings have great graffiti that you want to see. The creativity is amazing and provides a voice and a way of expression for people to communicate about politics, ideals, heroes, and also, a source of happiness! Many artistes like DjLu, Stinkfish, Corrosivo Carsal, Rodez, and CRISP are just a few of the ones whose works are in the city!

12. Very touristy!

Image: Pixabay

Because of the weather in Colombia, Bogota is a relatively awesome place to visit as a tourist. There are more than 50 museums, 37 libraries, public squares, churches, and a ton of monuments that will blow your mind! Many companies will offer guided city tours in Bogota so you will not need to worry about getting lost! You will also want to enjoy the local cuisine during your trip, I mean what’s a trip without tasting local food, right? Ajiaco, the exotic soup with chicken, potatoes, sweet corn, and soup; tamales, cocido, Empanadas, and fruits and desserts are definite delicacies!

13. Nameless streets

If you are someone who knows a city by its street names, you may want to adjust just a little bit. In Bogota, the streets do not have names, but numbers! The streets in the North and South are called CARRERAS and those in the East and west are called CALLE, therefore, a street will have one of the two accompanied by a number, depending on the location!

14. Interesting traffic rules!

In Bogota, you will need to get a registration plate favorable to the day of the week you will need your car the most, especially between 6.00 AM- 8.00 AM and 3.00 PM – 8.30 PM on weekdays. If your car registration has an odd number as the last digit, you are not allowed to drive on odd-numbered days and if you have an even number as your last digit, you cannot drive rush hours on even-numbered days! This system, known as Pico y Placa is meant to reduce traffic in the city and a violation of this rule will earn you a fine of 160 USD! The city Medellin has the same restrictions as well. 

15. Starry city 

Did you know that the city of Bogota had its first astronomical observatory of the Americas built-in 1802? This was a place where astronomy enthusiasts and scientists would meet and share ideas.

The observatory, which was in idea by José Celestino Mutis, a botanist, is open to visitors, all you need is to reserve it at least three days in advance.