My World Handbook

Santa Marta

Security is improving in Colombia and this attracts more tourists. Despite the kidnappings and contradictions between different guerrilla movements and paramilitary organizations because of the drug trade, visitors like the central cities in Colombia. The country, long known as the world capital of child abduction and home of the longest-lasting guerrilla warfare in Latin America, now attracts a record number of tourists because of the improved security.

Back in 2007 the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism announced that in the first half of the year Colombian cities attracted more than 560,000 foreign visitors, 7.6% more than the same period in 2006. Crime rates decreased thanks to reforms started by President Alvaro Uribe Velez, who backed up by the U.S. declared war on drug cartels and Marxist rebels.

Medelin

“The paradox of Colombia is that we have better security in cities and better infrastructure for tourism, while rural areas are full of drug smugglers and rebels,” said once Pablo Casas, an analyst in Bogota.

Rebels still control large areas of the countryside and right-wing paramilitary forces seize farms and businesses in many areas of Colombia. But this does not stop more and more tourists to visit the country. Most of the tourists are Americans who visit cities such as Medellin, famous in the 80’s with its powerful cocaine cartel. This country remains the largest producer of cocaine and thousands get killed in the war on drugs every year.

Besides its bad image due to drugs and child abduction, Colombia is famous for many positive things. The country is the second largest coffee producer in the world after Brazil. Coffee is critical to the economy of the country.

Cathedral in Bogota

Medellin is really beautiful city. It has got the only metro in Colombia. Its population is about two million people. Among the biggest attractions of the city is the botanical garden where one can see different flowers and many coffee varieties. Downtown there is a nice pond with a bridge to walk around, and a hill in the very center of the city.

The capital of Colombia, Bogota is one of the oldest cities in South America. It is built on the place of an Indian village where the tribe Chibcha lived. The city was found on August 6, 1538 as Santa Fe de Bogota. The act of official founding took place on April 27, 1539 at the site of today’s Plaza Bolivar. Bogota is famous for its beautiful architecture.

Palace of the Inquisition

Guatavita Lake is located only 75 km from the capital. It is surrounded by a forest within a canyon and sometimes it looks like the trees are trying to get into its waters. It collects underground waters and has a crystal clear green-blue color.

The lake has its own legend. A woman had a child from a lover. When her husband found out he killed the child and forced her to eat its meat. She ran away at the lake where a dragon lived. The dragon liked the woman, and not it only sheltered, but also married her. When the weather is nice she still raises above the water and sings.

Cartagena

The oldest part of Cartagena de Indias is a fortress with two walls, built in 1533. From the very beginning this city became the beachhead for the Spanish invasion. Therefore, Felipe II in 16th century ordered to build a large fort to withstand any attack. In the old part of the town there are beautiful homes and even more beautiful blocks. Each street has its name from the time it was owned by someone who gave it that name.

The biggest attraction is the Palace of the Inquisition, where tourists can also visit the History Academy. The building is in a typical baroque style from 1770. Rooms with torture equipment and machinery, and the hall where the witches have been prosecuted are preserved. The court hall is equipped with a huge scale used to weigh the weight of the witches, before sentenced.

Going to Bogota?

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