President of the Republic of Colombia

Carlos Holguín (1832-1894)
Presidential term: 1888 - 1892
Born in Nóvita (Chocó)

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Writers, Poets and Intellectuals
(Arranged by date of birth)

Ricardo Carrasquilla (1827-1886) – Writer, poet, philosopher and educator.
This illustrious author and educator was the co-founder of the 'Liceo de la Infancia' and the ‘Instituto de Cristo'. In 1886 he founded, along with José Manuel Marroquín, the Society of Religious Studies. He was one of the initiators of the literary group called 'El Mosaico'.
Some of his best books are The Festivals of Bogota, Couplets, Echoes of the Wattles and the poetic anthology, Gifts of Talent. He was born in Quibdó.

Jorge Isaacs (1837-1895) – Writer and poet.
Isaacs penned the most beautiful Colombian romantic novel Maria, in 1867. He was recognized internationally. Maria was reprinted in Spain, Argentina, Mexico, France and the United States.
His penmanship did not stop there as he wrote other significant books including The Motilones , The Radical Revolution of Antioquia and Studies on the Native Tribes of the State of Magdalena. His repertoire also included poetry which was first published in the mid-20 th century.
Some historians locate his place of birth in Cali (Valle del Cauca). Some others say he was born in Quibdó.

Jerónimo Argáez (1841-1906) – Journalist and writer.
Founder and director of the Bogota newspaper, 'El Telegrama', from 1886 to 1904. He was the author of The Case, an entertaining book of curiosities, published in 3 volumes. He was born in Nóvita,

Adriano Arriaga (1887-1925). – Poet.
Some of Arriaga's literary works were published in several newspapers in the country. His poem, Ilusión, won him first prize in the Latin-American poetry contest, 'Juegos Florales' in 1916. He was born in Quibdó.

Eliseo Arango (1900- 1977) – Intellectual.
An eminent lawyer with a degree in Economics and Social Sciences, Arango was a university professor, distinguished politician and diplomat, and an excellent speaker. He received the Cross of Boyacá for his contributions to the nation. His place of birth was Bagadó.

Miguel A. Caicedo – Writer, poet and lecturer.
Caicedo was the winner of the Colombian Literature contest of magic stories in 1937 and the winner of the "Black Culture Training" contest. He wrote 25 books. The writer was born in La Troje in 1919.

Arnoldo Palacios – Novelist.
An outstanding writer and speaker, Arnoldo Palacios' best-known book is The Stars are Black, translated into Italian and French. He was born in Cértegui in 1924.

Amalia Lú Posso – Psychologist, professor, short story writer, musician, composer and singer.
This renowned writer was the author of the books Nanny Fidelia Córdoba, Vean Vé My Black Nannies and Inocencia Palacios, among others. She was born in Quibdó in 1947.

Artists

Gustavo Hoyos – Landscapes painter.
His paintings have been exhibited in many cities in Colombia, Panama, Venezuela and The United States. He was born in Condoto, in 1947.

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Actors  (In Spanish)

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Musicians, Composers and Singers

Aristarco Perea "Arista" (1926-2006) – Composer and singer.
Known as "Señor del Son", this talented musician enriched traditional Colombian music. He was a singer and composer of a variety of musical rhythms such as bolero, merengue, salsa son and many others. He was born in Yuto.

Elizabeth "Mimi" Ibarra – Composer and singer
Elizabeth Ibarra is a renowned composer of salsa music and other rhythms. Her songs have become famous as a result of being sung by important international singers. She was born in Chocó.

Quellyn Chaverra – Composer and singer
This great artist and composer of salsa music has been very successful in Colombia, Latin America and the United States. He was born in Quibdó in 1971.

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Sportsmen and women

Francisco Maturana – Soccer coach and Dentist.
The famous soccer coach, Francisco Maturana, won the Libertadores Cup with the Atlético Nacional team in 1989, which was the first international soccer award for Colombia. As a result of his coaching of the national team, Colombia was able to participate in the World Cup in Italy (1990) and in the United States (1994). In 2001, the Colombian team won the "America Cup". Maturana was born in Quibdó in 1949.

Mabel Mosquera – Weightlifter.
Mabel Mosquera won gold medals in all-female weightlifting during the 19th Central American Games in 2002. At the 14th Pan American Games in 2003, she received one gold and 3 silver medals. Mabel was awarded the bronze medal in weightlifting at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens . She was born in Quibdó in 1969.

Malher Tressor Moreno– Soccer player.
He was champion of the "Esperanzas Cup" tournament in Toulon where he played for Selección Colombia. He scored the most goals of the tournament. He was the Merconorte champion and the Independiente Medellín Colombian champion in 2002. He was born in Riosucio (Chocó) in 1979 .

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Beauty Queen "Miss Colombia"




–2001–
Vanessa Alexandra Mendoza Bustos
Born in Unguía in 1981.