| s/v Nine of Cups Colombia |
Capital City: Bogota
Population: 39.5 Million
Highest Point: Christobal Colon, 18,947' in the
Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta range of the
Andes
Area: 440,000 sq miles...about the size of the
four corner states combined (Arizona, Colorado,
New Mexico and Utah). It can be divided into
three main land regions: (1) the Coastal
Lowlands, (2) the Andes Mountains, and (3) the
Eastern Planes.
Currency: Peso...currently about 2,800 pesos =
$1 US
Language: Spanish
Major Products: Coffee (Juan Valdez country),
emeralds, gold, coal, rice, bananas, beef cattle
Other Facts:
Population: 39.5 Million
Highest Point: Christobal Colon, 18,947' in the
Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta range of the
Andes
Area: 440,000 sq miles...about the size of the
four corner states combined (Arizona, Colorado,
New Mexico and Utah). It can be divided into
three main land regions: (1) the Coastal
Lowlands, (2) the Andes Mountains, and (3) the
Eastern Planes.
Currency: Peso...currently about 2,800 pesos =
$1 US
Language: Spanish
Major Products: Coffee (Juan Valdez country),
emeralds, gold, coal, rice, bananas, beef cattle
Other Facts:
* Only country on the South American continent
with a coast along both the Atlantic Ocean and
the Pacific Ocean.
* The name Colombia was chosen in honor of
Christopher Columbus
* Colombia also once included the countries of
Ecuador, Venezuela and Panama.
* Colombia is a republic. The country's
Constitution was adopted in 1886 and has been
revised numerous times. All citizens 18 years of
age and older may vote.
* Punta Gallinas, only a few kilometers from
Cartagena, is the northern geographical point of
the continent of South America
with a coast along both the Atlantic Ocean and
the Pacific Ocean.
* The name Colombia was chosen in honor of
Christopher Columbus
* Colombia also once included the countries of
Ecuador, Venezuela and Panama.
* Colombia is a republic. The country's
Constitution was adopted in 1886 and has been
revised numerous times. All citizens 18 years of
age and older may vote.
* Punta Gallinas, only a few kilometers from
Cartagena, is the northern geographical point of
the continent of South America
Cartagena de Indias (Cartagena of the
Indies), not to be confused with Cartagena,
Spain for which it was named, was founded in
1553 by Pedro de Heredia. Cartagena is the
capital of the department of Bolivar.
Indies), not to be confused with Cartagena,
Spain for which it was named, was founded in
1553 by Pedro de Heredia. Cartagena is the
capital of the department of Bolivar.
Puerta del Reloj
The clock tower gate is a symbol of
Cartagena. Several spires and towers
can be seen from virtually anywhere in
the city and the Clock Tower is one of
them. An integral part of the city wall,
this is the main entrance to the walled
city. Passing through its wide,
shadowy portals, there are several
vendors selling cigarettes, candy,
books and the ubiquitous lottery
tickets. Once inside the city wall, you
arrive in Plaza de los Coches (carriage
Square), former site of the slave
market.
The clock tower gate is a symbol of
Cartagena. Several spires and towers
can be seen from virtually anywhere in
the city and the Clock Tower is one of
them. An integral part of the city wall,
this is the main entrance to the walled
city. Passing through its wide,
shadowy portals, there are several
vendors selling cigarettes, candy,
books and the ubiquitous lottery
tickets. Once inside the city wall, you
arrive in Plaza de los Coches (carriage
Square), former site of the slave
market.
La Catedral
The most familiar sight in the old city of
Catagena is the spire of the cathedral. It is
absolutely beautiful with its ornate design
and imposing stature. It is currently
undergoing restoration, but we were able to
walk through it and we had the opportunity
to attend a Mass one evening.
Construction began in 1575 and was
completed in 1586.
The most familiar sight in the old city of
Catagena is the spire of the cathedral. It is
absolutely beautiful with its ornate design
and imposing stature. It is currently
undergoing restoration, but we were able to
walk through it and we had the opportunity
to attend a Mass one evening.
Construction began in 1575 and was
completed in 1586.
Las Murallas
The walls encircling the old city of
Cartagena were originally begun in 1586,
however nature and war destroyed them
and they were rebuilt several times.The
walls in place today were constructed in
the 1700's to protect the city. At least 10
feet thick and as much as 30 feet thick in
parts and ranging from 20-30 feet high,
they provide a formidable barrier to entry
at other than the gates. Ramps and stairs
around the city allow you to climb to the
top and walk the ramparts for an
unsurpassed view of the city streets and
buildings.
The walls encircling the old city of
Cartagena were originally begun in 1586,
however nature and war destroyed them
and they were rebuilt several times.The
walls in place today were constructed in
the 1700's to protect the city. At least 10
feet thick and as much as 30 feet thick in
parts and ranging from 20-30 feet high,
they provide a formidable barrier to entry
at other than the gates. Ramps and stairs
around the city allow you to climb to the
top and walk the ramparts for an
unsurpassed view of the city streets and
buildings.
India Catalina
This is considered a masterpiece of sculture by
Eladio Gil. The bronze Indian woman
symbolizes the native people of Colombia. A
smaller version of this statue in gold is also the
Colombian version of "Oscar", given for
excellence in films. It is said that Catalina, a
beautiful and couragious warrior, was captured
and sold as a slave. Don Pedro de Heredia
released her and used her as an interpreter in
1533.
This is considered a masterpiece of sculture by
Eladio Gil. The bronze Indian woman
symbolizes the native people of Colombia. A
smaller version of this statue in gold is also the
Colombian version of "Oscar", given for
excellence in films. It is said that Catalina, a
beautiful and couragious warrior, was captured
and sold as a slave. Don Pedro de Heredia
released her and used her as an interpreter in
1533.
Castillo de San Felipe
This massive fort, built in 1657, was
constructed on a hill overlooking the old
city and provided protection for the
harbor and the city below it. From the
city wall, we were able to view and
photograph the fort and India Catalina,
both significant landmarks of the
magnificent city of Catagena.
This massive fort, built in 1657, was
constructed on a hill overlooking the old
city and provided protection for the
harbor and the city below it. From the
city wall, we were able to view and
photograph the fort and India Catalina,
both significant landmarks of the
magnificent city of Catagena.
San Felipe View
The walk up to the fort was fairly steep and
arduous considering how hot it was. We
rested in the shadows of the massive walls and
porticos and ducked into tunnels when we
could to get out of the sun and heat. Views of
the city from the fort were stupendous on this
clear sunny day and the panorama laid out
before us made up for the sweat expended on
the way up.
The walk up to the fort was fairly steep and
arduous considering how hot it was. We
rested in the shadows of the massive walls and
porticos and ducked into tunnels when we
could to get out of the sun and heat. Views of
the city from the fort were stupendous on this
clear sunny day and the panorama laid out
before us made up for the sweat expended on
the way up.
Plaza Santo Domingo
The entire center of the plaza is open
air restaurants with any number and
variety of street vendors and
performers. Vendors sell hats,
sunglasses, jewelry, watches, coconut
shell combs and trinkets, t-shirts,
paintings. You name it, it's for sale.
A mariachi band serenaded us as we
sipped cold beers and Guillermo the
Victrola man walked from table to
table offering to play his one 78 rpm
record on the ancient wind-up Victrola
on his shoulder. We compared trying
to make our way into the plaza past all
the street hawkers as similar to running
the gauntlet.
The entire center of the plaza is open
air restaurants with any number and
variety of street vendors and
performers. Vendors sell hats,
sunglasses, jewelry, watches, coconut
shell combs and trinkets, t-shirts,
paintings. You name it, it's for sale.
A mariachi band serenaded us as we
sipped cold beers and Guillermo the
Victrola man walked from table to
table offering to play his one 78 rpm
record on the ancient wind-up Victrola
on his shoulder. We compared trying
to make our way into the plaza past all
the street hawkers as similar to running
the gauntlet.
El Balcon
Most houses in the old city have
balconies which are profuse with
bright flowering plants and trees.
They are enchanting to view and
take your breath away with their
astounding color and contrast.
Most houses in the old city have
balconies which are profuse with
bright flowering plants and trees.
They are enchanting to view and
take your breath away with their
astounding color and contrast.