TOLIMA
Inhabitant: Tolimense

This booming department with delightful landscapes was created in 1910. It was named after a native priestess Yulima who was killed by the first conquistadors.
Tolima has approximately 1,800,000 inhabitants and an area of 23,562 square kilometers.
It is situated in central-west Colombia, bordered by the departments of Caldas, Huila, Risaralda, Valle del Cauca and Cundinamarca.
It's topography is quite uneven. The eastern and central cordilleras (mountain ranges) cross the department, giving way to low regions such as the valley of upper Magdalena River, regions with an average altitude (where most of the people live), and regions with very high elevations like the impressive Nevadodel Tolima and the Nevado del Ruiz (Snow-covered mountains).
Such a variety of climates led to remarkable agricultural development. Tolima is the number-one rice and sesame producer in the country. Coffee and sorghum plantations also abound.
The Tolimense territory is crossed by the bountiful Magdalena River, which is the major fluvial artery in this department and throughout all Colombia.
There are many areas frequented by tourists. Among them you will find the reservoir of the Prado River, which is an excellent place to practice water skiing, Los Nevados National Park, urban historic locations like the Ambalema Historic Center (built in the 18th century) and some other towns with various tourist attractions. It also has very good hotels and an excellent communications network.
All in all, it is a beautiful department and is worthwhile to visit.

Capital: Ibagué
The capital of Tolima, was founded on the banks of the Combeima River in 550 by Andrés López of Galarza.
It lies in the north-wertern Tolima, 1,107 meters above sea level. Its average temperature is 20 degrees Celsius.
At present, the city has about 520,000 inhabitants.
Ibagué is the center of economic activity in the department and is one of the most important commercial centers in Colombia.
There are many interesting places to visit such as historic landmarks, museums, libraries, parks, cultural stages and many other nice attractions. It has a good stadium for sports events, and five-stars hotels.
The city is known as the “Musical City of Colombia” for its dedication to musical events such as the Festival and National Folklore Competition and for its Conservatory of Music, one of the best in the country.

www.colombia-sa.com

Música del departamento

The Anthem of the Department
(In Spanish)

Lyrics: Nicanor Velásquez
Music: Alberto Castilla

Chorus
Canta el alma de mi raza
en el Bunde de Castilla
y este canto es sol que abraza
I
Nacer, vivir, morir
amando al Magdalena
la pena se hace buena
y alegra el existir
II
Baila, baila, baila
sus bambucos mi Tolima
y el aguardiente
es más valiente y leal
III
Soy vaquero tolimense
y en el pecho llevó espumas
va mi potro entre las brumas
con cocuyos en la frente
y al sentir mi galopar
galopa el amor del corazón.
IV
Pues mi rejo va enlazar
las dulzuras del amor
con la voz de mi cantar.

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Other Municipalities

Honda: An important port on the Magdalena River. It is a colonial city with very hot weather and it is known as the “City of Bridges".

Melgar: A tourist town with an important military base.

Mariquita: Ar municipality with colonial heirlooms.

Lérida An agricultural city. It became the main city in northern Tolima to take in most of the surviving population of Armero (A prosperous city that disappeared under an avalanche of the volcano Arenas of Nevado del Ruiz).

Ambalema, Chaparral, Natagaima, Espinal, El Guamo, Fresno, Cajamarca and El Líbano are developing towns with many tourist attractions.

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Airports

Perales – Ibagué.
Navas Pardo – Chaparral.
Tolemaida ( Base Militar) – Melgar.