The capital of ColumbiaBogota, is one of the best known cities in South America and all over America. If you are interested in knowing the reasons for this statement and, of course, some completely amazing curious facts about Bogotá, we recommend that you continue reading this Supercurioso article and, thus, enjoy the content that we have prepared for you about this Colombian area.
Curious facts about Bogotá that amazes everyone who visits it
The importance of Bogotá for the always fascinating Colombia lies not only in its role as the main city, but also in the fact that it is the economic, political, administrative, sports and even artistic center of this South American country. For this reason, knowing some curious facts about Bogotá is especially important for those who are interested in knowing how it works and what happens in this part of the world.
1. She is one of the tallest in the class
Bogotá is located at more than 2,500 meters above sea level, which makes it one of the one of the highest capitals in South America.
2. Bogotá is quite a lady, but why is it called that?
Another of the curious facts about Bogotá that we cannot fail to mention is that its name has Chibcha origin, it comes, specifically, from the word “Bacatá”, whose meaning is “the lady of the Andes”.
3. However, this was not the first name of the city, so be careful! Another of the curious facts of Bogotá arrives
Just as you read it! The first name of the city was not Santa Fe, nor was it Bogotá. No! The first name of the city was Nuestra Señora de la Esperanza. This was granted by Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada.
4. Let’s continue with the name!
Simón Bolívar was the cause of the city changing its name from Santa Fe to being called Bogotá, because the former was considered by the Venezuelan military as a Spanish imposition, while the latter was much more indigenous.
When the 1991 Constitution was signed and due to an error, the city was called Santa Fe de Bogotá; however, and due to the indignation of the inhabitants of the capital, in 2000 it was officially renamed Bogotá.
5. So, what is the demonym?
Despite the different names the city received, The people who inhabit this area are called Bogotanos. In colloquial terms, they are also known as rolos.
6. Before, Bogotá was not just a
According to a 1538 map drawn by the cacique Don Diego Torres, On the left bank of the Bogotá River existed, at that time, the great town of Santa Fe (the current capital of Colombia). However, on the right bank is a now extinct Indian town that would correspond to what is currently Funza y Cota. The name of this town was Bogotá, so it does not properly belong to the Colombian capital.
7. A city founded three times
The first founding of the city occurred in 1537 in Carrera 2 with Calle 13, more properly, in what is known as the Chorro de Quevedo. The second took place in Plaza Santander, carried out by Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada on August 6, 1538. Finally, a definitive foundation was given on April 27, 1539, at the end of the dispute between Jiménez de Quesada, Belarcazar and Nicolás de Federmán and with the signing of the act in the Plaza de Bolívar.
It is worth noting that the date celebrated as the day the city was founded is August 6, 1538.
8. Bogotá was pure water
Formerly the area in which Bogotá is located was a lakewhich is why today it is possible to find various wetlands in its territory.
9. A vast river runs through it
We continue talking about the curious facts of Bogotá with the famous Bogotá river. It is the longest that crosses the city (it measures 380 km), however, it is known for the contamination of its waters, a situation that the government has tried to control.
10. It has a narrow street, very narrow!
Among the curious facts of Bogotá it is worth mentioning its narrowest street. Despite the fact that the city is filled with wide avenues, what not everyone knows is that between Calles 26 and 27 and Carreras 9 and 10 is the narrowest street in the capital, which is 20 centimeters wide. broad.
11. A woman is her patron
Saint Elizabeth of Hungary is the patron saint of the Archdiocese of Bogotá. The woman is considered a symbol of Christian charity for her masterful work and her impressive heart. In her canonization, Pope Gregory IX recognized her as “the greatest woman of the German Middle Ages.”
12. A city of churches and convents
On the other hand, it is worth noting among the curious facts of Bogotá the impressive number of churches and convents that have existed since its early years. Among them are the cathedral, the San Ignacio church, the hermitages of Las Cruces, Monserrate and Guadalupe, among others.
13. From Greece to Bogotá: A distinguished recognition
Some consider Bogotá as the “South American Athens”, due to the large number of cultural and educational activities that can be carried out in this area of Colombia. Bogotá has more than 100 universities and countless museums, libraries and theaters.
14. Tall buildings characterize it
In Bogota it is possible to find the tallest buildings in all of Colombia. An example of this is the BD Bacatá project, or Bogotá Downtown Bacatá, made up of two towers, one 216 meters high and the other 167 meters. There is also the North Atrium tower with 201 meters high and the Colpatria Tower with 196 meters.
15. What is your longest avenue?
The boyacá avenue it is the longest in the whole cityoccupying a total of 36 kilometers.
16. An airport of pride
El Dorado International Airport, located in Bogotá, is the second busiest in Latin America and the first in terms of cargo quantity.
Besides, the airport is among the 10 best performing air terminals in 2022, according to a survey conducted by Cirium, a world leader in aviation analytics.
17. Bogota might literally shake you up!
Bogota is an area of high seismic activity, since its tectonic plate has received numerous impacts throughout history. This member of the curious data of Bogotá is one of the biggest current concerns, especially due to the multiple constructions on the hills, which would be in serious danger.
18. Let’s talk about the weather!
He bogota weather It is oceanic, highlighting mountain climates, therefore, temperatures are usually between 5°C to 19°C.
The climate of the city is not at all predictable, so if you visit the city, do not hesitate to always go out with an umbrella and adaptable clothing for heat or cold.
19. Many people inhabit it and the majority are women
According to the 2018 census, more than 7 million people live in Bogotáhighlighting the female population above the male (52.2% and 47.8%, respectively).
20. Strata? The word that characterizes Bogotá
Bogotá is divided into 6 socioeconomic strata, which allow defining the costs of housing and services in general.
21. One of the most proud Bogotá curious facts: literacy
Bogota enjoys the lowest illiteracy rate in all of Colombiastanding at 3.4%.
22. Are you not located in Bogotá? Look at the numbers!
The streets that are in Bogotá are not recognized by names, but by numbers, so it is possible to locate the roads you want to reach much faster.
23. A city of parks
Another of the curiosities of Bogotá is that this city can be found more than 5000 parkswhich are preserved to continue offering green areas to its inhabitants.
24. Nope! In Bogota the subway is not a reality
One of the curious facts about Bogotá that most often surprises people is that in this capital city there is no metro.
25. Sundays are enjoyed in the big city
On Sundays and public holidays many of the main Bogota roads they are closed so that cyclists, skaters and runners can carry out sports activities.
26. The peak and plate: Keep it in mind to mobilize!
In it Bogota road system there is something calledspike and plate”, activity that restricts the use of automobiles on certain days, according to their license plate numbers.
27. Come experience the best of music!
If you are a lover of music festivals, in Bogotá you can enjoy one of the most important outdoor events in Latin America: the Rock al Parque festival. Best of all, it’s completely free!
28. How many tourists does Bogotá receive?
Annually Bogota receives a total of 52% of foreigners who visit it for tourism purposesall thanks to the large number of cultural and recreational activities that this South American capital offers its visitors.
29. Reasons to know and live Bogotá, did you know that one is an investment?
70% of the people who come to this Colombian city do so for the purpose of investing abroad.
30. Religion in the city
To finish our list of curious facts about Bogotá, it is worth mentioning that the people of Bogotá are, above all, Catholics, although it is also possible to find some Protestants.
Curiosities of other cities in the world that might interest you
Bogotá is an amazing city, full of cultural, relevant and surprising information that expands the limits of our knowledge. To continue doing so, we encourage you to discover more fun facts about cities around the world. Discover them in this list!
These are the curious facts of Bogotá that we prepare for you Let us know in the comments area which were the data that seemed most surprising to you and, of course, if you know of any other that is not on the previous list, share it so that we can all learn more about this capital city that is so important for Colombia. and all Latin America. We’ll read you right away!