Bogota is located in the center of the country, 2,640
meters above sea level, on a plateau of the Eastern mountain range of
The Andes, latitude 3°41'24"N to 4°49'54"N and longitude
74.3°W. The city has an area of 1,587 square kilometers (612.74
sq. miles). Including the metropolitan area, its surface is 1,732 square
kilometers (668.73 sq. miles). Average daily temperatures rang from
9 to 22 degrees Celsius (48.2 and 71.6°F.)
Bogota is the educational, cultural, commercial, administrative, financial,
and political center of Colombia.
The capital has approximately 6,776,000 inhabitants. The metropolitan
area has a population of 7,881,200, according to the census made by
DANE in 2005.
About the name
Bogota's name comes from the Chibcha word Bacatá. Bacata was
the territory of the zipa (overlord) of the Chibcha or Muisca Indian
tribes that inhabited the region before the arrival of the Spaniards.
Gonzalo Jimenez of Quesada was the first European to set foot in the
lands of the Chibchas nation in 1538.
He founded the city of Santa Fe
(today known as Bogotá D.C.) that became the center of the government
of the territory called the New Kingdom of Granada, and where the Royal
Court of Santa Fe was established.
Later, the city adopted the name of Santafé de Bogotá.
In 1945 it became "Special District" and its official name
was Bogotá D.E. With the Constitution of 1991 the city was named
Santafé de Bogotá for the second time and received the
status of Capital District. In the year 2000 its name changed back to
Bogotá D.C.
DOWNTOWN
La Candelaria is the oldest district of Bogota situated between calle
7 and Avenida Jimenez and between carreras 1and 15.
The residential area is famous for its colonial style houses museums
and very important places worth visiting such as the San Carlos Palace, the Luis Angel Arango Public Library, the Cristobal Colon Theater,
the Silva's Poetry House, the Museum of Numismatics, El Marqués de
San Jorge House, La Quinta de Bolívar, the Fundación
Alzate Avendaño and La Candelaria, San Ignacio and Nuestra
Señora del Carmen churches.
On the Carreras 7 (formerly called La Calle Real) and carrera 8, you
will find the most important square of Bogota called La Plaza de Bolivar. It is surrounded by The Capitolio Nacional, the City Hall of Bogotá,
the Palace of Justice , the "20 de Julio Museum", the Main Cathedral
of Colombia, the Tabernacle Chapel and the Archbishop Residence. The
Nariño Palace (Presidential Palace) and the Echeverry Palace are found on the south side.
Going towards the North, on the Carrera 7, are many important places
including the Santander Square, the Gold Museum, and the famous La
Tercera, La Veracruz and San Francisco Churches.
Further north, you will find The International Center, one of the
most important financial areas in the city.
In downtown are the Museum of Modern Art, the National Library, the
Park of La Independencia, the Planetarium, La Santamaría bullring,
the National Museum, the Bavaria Central Park, the Gonzalo Jimenez
de Quesada Convention Center and many other interesting sites.
NORTH
There are many exclusive barrios (districts) in the north
of Bogota
Among them are La Cabrera, El Chicó, Santa Ana, Los Rosales,
El Nogal, Bosque de Los Pinos, El Retiro, Santa Barbara , Montearroyo
La Carolina and many others such as Antiguo Country, Avenida Chile,
La Bella Suiza ,Cedritos, Nueva Autopista, etc.
Interesting sites to visit in
this area
El Parque de la 93 is one of the most exclusive sectors
in Bogota Some of the best hotels, restaurants, nightclubs and bars
are located in this area.
La Zona T and La Zona Rosa - between the streets 80 and 85 and carreras
(streets) 11 and 15 -
This area is one of the most popular for shopping, eating and clubbing.
La Avenida Chile or 72 street, is one of the most important business
sectors in Bogotá.
La Carrera 15 has the largest pedestrian-only zone in Bogotá.
It is located between la calle 72 and la calle 100 and is one of the
most important commercial districts in the north of Bogota.
Main Shopping Centers
The Atlantis Plaza, the Centro Andino, Cedritos 151, the Centro
Comercial Santafé, (the largest in Colombia) Centro
93, El Lago, El Retiro, Hacienda Santa Bárbara, BIMA , Palatino,
Santa Ana, and Unicentro.
NORTHWEST
Some of the most prominent districts in this area are Pontevedra,
Los Lagartos,
Andes, Niza, San José de Bavaria, Pasadena, Las Colinas de
Suba and many others.
Main malls
Bulevar Niza, Portoalegre, Paseo San Rafael, Iserra 100, Centro Suba,
Subazar, Plaza Imperial.
MID-NORTH (CHAPINERO AND SURROUNDINGS)
Some of the districts of this area are Chapinero, between calles
60 and 70 and Avenida Caracas (or carrera 14) and Carrera 7. Chapinero
has an important shopping area.
Teusaquillo, Santa Teresita, Palermo and La Soledad. About 40 years
ago these boroughs were some of the most exclusive districts in the city.
There are still many important places in the area such as the Pontificia
Universidad Javeriana, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Clínica
de Marly, Clínica Palermo and some well known theaters.
Between the calles 53 and 63 toward the west of Bogota you will find The Nemesio Camacho El Campin Stadium, the
Coliseo Cubierto El Campin and amusement parks.
WEST
In the western section of the city there are several boroughs
such as Normandia, Nicolas de Federman, Metropolis Centro Nariño,
Kennedy, Puente Aranda, Salitre Modelia, Castilla-Marsella Fontibón,
and Tintal
Places worth visiting in this area
Simon Bolivar Metropolitan Park
In Simon Bolivar Metropolitan Park, the largest in the city, you will
find
El Salitre amusement park, The Sports Unit, The Sports Center, The
Acuaparque, the Children's museum, and Maloka, an interactive science
center.
Main malls
Alamos, Diverplaza, Galerías Gran Estación, Metrópolis,
Portal de la 80, Salitre Plaza, Unicentro de Occidente.
SOUTH AND SOUTHWESTERN AREAS
Some of the barrios (districts) in the south of Bogota are
Ciudad Bolivar (subdivided in smaller districts), 20 de Julio, Santa
Bárbara Sur, Antonio Nariño, , Rafael Uribe Uribe, Barrio
Egipto, La Perseverancia, Barrio Restrepo, Paloquemao and many others.
Interesting places to visit in this area
El Tunal Park, El Tunal Public Library, beautiful parks and amusement
parks.
Main Shopping Centers
Ciudad Tunal, Plaza de Las Américas and Tintal Plaza
MAPS
To see the map of BOGOTA, go to this link
To see the maps of COLOMBIA, go to this link
