Welcome to Medellín, Colombia
Colombia, officially the Republic of Colombia, is a country located in northwestern South America whose capital is Bogota. It has a total area of 2,070,408 square kilometers, of which 1,141,748 sq. km. are mainland and islands and the remaining 928,660sq. km. are territorial waters.
It is the fourth-largest country in South America by area and the third-largest in Latin America by population after Brazil and Mexico. Colombia is the only nation in South America that has coasts on both the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea. It also has several islands in those bodies of water, including the archipelago of San Andrés, Providencia and Santa Catalina.
Colombia is bordered to the east by Venezuela and Brazil, to the south by Peru and Ecuador and to the northwest by Panama.
The country has maritime borders with Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, Jamaica, Haiti, the Dominican Republic and Venezuela in the Caribbean Sea and with Panama, Costa Rica and Ecuador in the Pacific Ocean.
Currency
The legal currency of Colombia is the Colombian peso (COP). The available denominations for notes are: 1,000, 2,000, 5,000, 10,000 50,000 and 100,000 pesos, and for coins are: 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1000 pesos. It is best to exchange money either at a bank or official currency exchanges, which generally are located in shopping malls. Visit this Web site for current exchange rates: http://www.oanda.com
Welcome to MedellínMedellin is the capital of the department of Antioquia. The city proper is home to 1,800,000 people and is part of a metropolitan area that comprises five municipalities with 3,000,000 inhabitants.
Medellín is Known as the city of eternal spring or the beautiful village, Medellín is a dynamic metropolis that has undergone a cultural and socio-economic transformation in recent years.
The city has an average annual temperature of 25ºC(77ºF) and a climate characterized by wet and dry seasons. With temperatures staying within a narrow range of between 18-28ºC, Medellin is known as the "City of the Eternal Spring."
The city has an active cultural life highlighted by major events such as the Flower Festival, Colombiamoda and Colombiatex (the country's largest fashion fairs). It also hosts an annual Poetry Festival and is home to the Antioquia Museum, which houses a large collection of works by painter and sculptor Fernando Botero, among other artists.
Medellín is located 1,538 meters above sea level and boasting a yearround temperate climate that ranges from between 18 to 28 degrees Celsius (64 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit), is Colombia's second city both economically and in terms of number of inhabitants.
The Medellín metropolitan area, which comprises 10 municipalities located in the Aburrá Valley, currently is home to roughly 3,800,000 inhabitants. This urban conglomerate in northwestern Colombia (nestled amid the Andes' Cordillera Central range).
What to wear
Light cotton clothing is recommended in Medellin, which has a temperate climate without significant fluctuations in temperature. If you plan to travel to nearby towns at higher elevations, the temperature will be cooler and you will want to dress more warmly. Casual attire is generally acceptable in Medellin. Wear comfortable clothing and shoes when visiting tourist sites. Ties are not compulsory for men at restaurants, while formalwear is appropriate when attending special events.
Public transportation
Metro
The Medellin Metro is a mass-transit system that crisscrosses the metropolitan area from north to south, from north to northeast, from west to downtown and from west to northwest. One of the first modern mass transit experiences in Colombia, the Medellin Metro is a product of elaborate urban planning by the Antioquia department.
Buses
This is the most popular means of transportation in the city. All of the routes converge on downtown Medellin from various sectors of the metropolitan area and also feed the city's different metro stations. Vehicles are classified as buses, microbuses or executive minibuses.
Taxis
Taxis Taxis are easily distinguishable by their traditional yellow color and are a very popular means of transportation in the city. The fares they charge depend on the distance traveled and the wait time.
Cultural activities
Medellin boasts a broad array of cultural activities and facilities, including plays, concerts, cinema, lectures, art exhibits, museums and libraries.
Theaters
Metropolitan Theater, Pablo Tobón Uribe Theater, Porfirio Barba Jacob Theater, Carlos Vieco Outdoor Theater, Founders of Universidad EAFIT Theater, Universidad de Medellin Theater, among others.
Museums
Antioquia Museum, which houses an important collection of works by Colombian Master Fernando Botero, Pedro Nel Gómez House-Museum, Medellin Museum of Modern Art, El Castillo Museum, Miguel Ángel Builes Ethnographic Museum, Universidad de Antioquia Museum, Mother Laura Ethnographic Museum, Banco de la República Philatelic Museum, among others.
Shopping Malls
The most popular are Oviedo, Santafé, El Tesoro, Los Molinos, Premium Plaza, Mayorca, San Diego, Unicentro, Aves Marías and Villanueva. Movie theaters generally are located at the different shopping malls.
Libraries
Library Spain, Pilot Public Library, Universidad EAFIT's Luis Echavarría Villegas Cultural Center and Library, among others.
Annual Festivals and Events:
- La Candelaria Bullfighting Fair: February.
- International Orchid Exposition/Fair and Easter Week: April
- International Poetry Festival: June
- Flower Festival: August. Events include: flower bearers (silleteros) parade, trova fair and classic and antique car parade.
- National Equestrian Fair: August.
- Antioquia Dances, Myths and Legends Parade: December.
Postal service
Mail can be sent via the state-owned postal service, 4-72, or different private Colombian- and foreign-owned companies. Postal service is generally available at most supermarkets, as well as at travel agencies and some shopping malls where postal delivery firms have set up shop.
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