In the northern part of the country, surrounded by the beautiful beaches of the Caribbean Sea and the departments of Atlántico, Magdalena, Cesar, Santander, Antioquia and Sucre, is where this marvellous territory lies. It is known as the “land of pleasures, light, happiness, and gorgeous women”.
The department of Bolívar was created in 1886. It has an area of 25,978 square kilometres with a population of 2.2 million inhabitants. It was one of the nine original states of “The United States of Colombia”.
Before the arrival of the Spaniards in 1501, there were large groups of native people living in this area. The Caribe and the Tayrona are two of the more well-known tribes.
Most of the land is flat, although in the southern part of the territory, there are some mountain ranges, of which the San Lucas range is the highest.
The main sources of income are livestock and maritime fishery. Agricultural activity is based on the production of sorghum, beans, corn, yams, rice, sugar cane, yucca and bananas.
In Bolívar there are two duty-free areas situated in Cartagena. One of them is commercial and it is near the port. The other one is industrial, the Candelaria duty-free zone, located in Mamoral, 12 kilometres south of the city centre.
There are very interesting places in this region such as the Historic Centre of Santa Cruz de Mompox, one of the five world heritage sites in Colombia, the Sanctuary of Flora and Fauna Los Colorados and the National Natural Park Corales del Rosario in south-east Cartagena.

Capital: Cartagena de Indias
Cartagena, “The Heroic City”, is the most important tourist city in Colombia. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of its majestic colonial architecture and its 17th- and 18th-century artillery pieces.
It was founded by Pedro de Heredia in 1533, and was given the name of San Sebastián de Cartagena. In the “Old City” there are many beautiful colonial buildings and historical sites, including fortresses like the Castle of San Felipe de Barajas, historic monuments such as the Convent of La Popa and the city walls, which give the old city a special charm.
On the other side of the city, you will find the modern Cartagena, which runs along the coastal areas of Bocagrande, el Laguito and Marbella. This section has wonderful hotels, lavish residential areas, restaurants, casinos and beautiful beaches. Cartagena is home to more than one million people, accounting for 48 per cent of Bolívar’s population. The islands of Barú and Tierra Bomba and the archipelago El Rosario are also part of the municipality.
The National Beauty Pageant, which takes place in March, as well as other events like the Caribbean Music Festival and the International Film Festival held during the months of March and April, attract thousands of tourists every year.

The Flag of
Bolivar

Adopted in 1861

www.colombia-sa.com

Música del departamento

Other Cities

Magangué, Mompós or Mompox, El Carmen de Bolívar, Turbaco, San Cristóbal.

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Airports

Rafael Núnez Cartagena
Baracoa Magangué
San Bernardo Mompós
Carmen de Bolívar Carmen de Bolívar

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Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity (UNESCO)

San Basilio de Pelenque
The small town of Mahates, San Basilio de Pelenque, with about 3,500 inhabitants, is situated in South-East Cartagena.
It was founded in the 17th. Century by black slaves who had escaped from slavery. It was the first free African population in the Americas. The inhabitants still practice the rites, ceremonies and music of their ancestors.

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National Natural Parks

Corales del Rosario
Caribbean sea, south-east of Cartagena's Bay
Area: 19,506 hectares
Los Colorados
Area: 1,000 hectares

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Annual Events

January / February: Bullfighting Fair (Cartagena)
– Beach Volleyball Championship (Cartagena)
– International Jazz Festival (Cartagena)
– El Retorno contest and the Costeños Composers presentation    (Magangué).

February: La Candelaria Festivity (Cartagena).

March: International Film Festival (Cartagena)
– International Caribbean Music Festival (Cartagena)

March / April: Nautical Fair (Cartagena)
– Festival of Religious Music and The Holy Week (Mompox)

June: “Cartagena of the Caribbean” Festival (Cartagena)
–- “Bolivarense” Festival of Accordion (Carmen de Bolívar).

August: Contest of amateur composers (Magangué)
– Livestock Farmers Fair (Mompox).

November: National Beauty Pageant (Cartagena)
– Independence Day Festivities (Cartagena)
– Farming Market and Craft Fair and Industrial Fair (Magangué).

December: Art Festival (Cartagena)
– Miss Tanga (Cartagena)
– Festivities of The Immaculate Conception (Carmen de Bolívar.