Sunset at Bocagrande in Cartagena, Colombia Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:68_-_Carthag%C3%A8ne_-_D%C3%A9cembre_2008.jpg Author: Martin St-Amant
Cartagena is a city in the Bolívar Department of Colombia. It is the biggest of the cities named Cartagena (there are also Cartagena, Spain, the city which gave it its name, and Cartagena, Chile). To differentiate it from the rest, it is often called Cartagena de Indias, meaning Cartagena of the Indies.
Cartagena is today a popular resort city. Covering 572 sq km (220.9 sq mi), it has a population of 893,000 people, making it the fifth largest city in Colombia. Today it has a well-preserved old city which is encircled by a city wall. The area was inscribed as a World Heritage Site since 1984.
The Cartagena area has been inhabited since pre-Columbian times, with various cultures occupying the area as early as 7,000 BC. When the Spanish arrived in the 16th century, the natives were of the Karib, Malibu and Arawak language families.
After a couple of unsuccessful attemps to establish a colony in the area in 1506and 1517, the Spanish left the area well alone, prefering to establish settlements on the islands of Hispaniola and Cuba. It was only in 1533 that Spanish commander Pedro de Heredia founded Cartagena, naming it after its namesake in Spain.
In 1741 British admiral led a major offensive to capture Cartagena. The British side had 23,600 soldiers, overwhelmingly outnumbering and Spanish with only 6,000 men. Yet they attack was repelled by the Spanish and natives led by commander General Blas de Lezo y Olavarrieta. Bad weather, torrential rain and yellow fever all contributed to heavy British casualties.
Calle de San Agustín, Cartagena Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Calle_de_San_agustin.JPG Author: Einer Rivera
Today Cartagena is a modern well-developed city. It has the tallest skyscraper in Colombia, the 58-story Torre de la Escollera completed in 2007. The city experiences a tropical wet and dry climate. Temperatures are fairly constant throughout the year, ranging from a low of 23.2°C (73.8°F) in January to a high of 31.9°C (89.4°F) in July and August. October is the wettest month, receiving 244 mm (9.61 in) of rain while February and March are very dry, with only 1 mm (0.04 in) of rain.
The Rafael Núñez International Airport (CTG), the second biggest airport in Colombia, receives flights from Bogotá, Bonaire, Bucaramanga, Cúcuta, Curaçao, Fort Lauderdale, Medellín, Miami, Montería and Panama City, among others.
Places of Interest in Cartagena
Castillo de San Felipe Fortress designed by Dutch engineer Richard Carr and built by the Spanish in 1657.
Iglesia de San Pedro Claver Church honoring San Pedro Claver, the first person from the New World to be made a saint.
La Popa Hill in Cartagena offering a splendid view of the harbor.
Palacio de la Inquisición The place where the Spanish Inquisition judged, convicted and tortured men for crimes against the Catholic faith. Today it is a museum.
Walled City of Cartagena Well-preserved buildings from the Spanish colonial times. Entrance is thorugh the Clock Tower building.
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