From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Coordinates: 7°06′08″N 73°06′26″W / 7.102085°N 73.107319°W / 7.102085; -73.107319

Bucaramanga
Bucaramanga During the Day
Flag Seal
Nickname(s): "The Pretty City", "City of Parks"
Motto: Montani semper liberi
Location of the city and municipality of Bucaramanga in the Santander Department.
Bucaramanga Location in Colombia
Coordinates: 7°8′N 73°0′W / 7.133°N 73°W / 7.133; -73
Country	Colombia
Region	Andean Region
Department	Department of Santander
Foundation	1622
Government
- Mayor	Fernando Vargas, (L)
Area
- City	165 km2 (63.7 sq mi)
Elevation	959 m (3,146 ft)
Population
- City	608,102
- Density	2.216/km2 (5.7/sq mi)
- Metro	1'212.657
Website	www.bucaramanga.gov.co

Bucaramanga is a municipality and the capital city of the department of Santander, Colombia. Bucaramanga has the sixth largest city economy and population in Colombia, with 1,212,657 people in its metropolitan area. Bucaramanga has made good progress in all areas. Bucaramanga has over 160 parks scattered throughout the city and has been given the nicknames "La Ciudad de Los Parques" "City of Parks" and "La Ciudad Bonita de Colombia" "Colombia's Beautiful City". It is internationally recognized for its parks.

Bucaramanga has grown rapidly since the 1960's, mostly in neighboring locations within the metropolitan area. Floridablanca, Girón and Piedecuesta are inextricably linked geographically and commercially with Bucaramanga, forming a large metropolitan city.

Local manufacturing, especially of textiles and shoes, has struggled in the face of legal and contraband imports in recent decades. The city is the base of the Colombian Petroleum Institute (ICP)^[1], the research branch of the state oil company Ecopetrol and the Colombian Natural Gas Company (Ecogas).

History

Girón was the first and most significant town founded by Spanish colonizers in the region and Bucaramanga (founded in 1622) did not overtake Girón in population or economic significance until the early 1800s. In the 1860s and 1870s the city attracted a core of German merchants and adventurers (the most famous of whom was Georg von Lengerke) and tensions between the newcomers and local merchants flared in 1879. With the political reorganization of 1886 Bucaramanga replaced Socorro as departmental capital. The region (although not the city itself) was devastated by the civil war of 1899-1902 - commonly known as the Thousand Days War and Bucaramanga grew only modestly in the first half of the twentieth century.

Geography and Climate

Bucaramanga is located on a plateau in the Cordillera Oriental of the Colombian Andes, and many residents occupy unstable lands descending steeply from the meseta. Westbound of it, the Rio de Oro Canyon is located at an altitude of 600m AMSL. Eastbound, the Andean Range rises up in high peaks, reaching almost 3,700m AMSL in the place locally known as "Paramo de Berlin" The city is located at 7°08′N 73°08′W / 7.133°N 73.133°W / 7.133; -73.133. The official metropolitan area includes the municipalities of: Girón, Piedecuesta and Floridablanca, but Lebrija is home to Bucaramanga's airport and is commonly considered part of greater Bucaramanga. All four neighboring municipalities contain extensive rural areas despite recent urbanization.

Although its altitude is not considered very high, Bucaramanga's climate is not hot nor cold with 22 degrees Celsius being the average temperature. Compared to cities at the same average altitude (such as Cali), Bucaramanga has much cooler daytime temperatures due to the cold wind coming down the Eastern peaks; its night temperatures are not cold due to the warm air coming from the Canyon. This fact makes the daily thermal oscillation to be narrower than other Colombian cities.

Municipal Flag

The municipal flag of Bucaramanga was designed by the historian Gustavo Gomez Mejia. Made of two green stripes with a yellow one in the middle. In the center is a blue disk, surrounded with a red circle. In the middle of the blue disk is a white star. In the red circle is written the following legend: "Below the azure of its sky and defended by the generous blood of its sons, Bucaramanga is opened to the four horizons of the motherland". (Ivan Sache, 23 March 2001)

Municipal Coat of Arms

The words "Montani Semper Liberi" are Latin for "Forever free in our mountains".

The City

Bucaramanga is also known as the "Ciudad de los Parques" ("City of the Parks") and "Ciudad Bonita" ("Beautiful City"). The city is served by one transportation terminal and the Palonegro Airport, which is located west of the city. In general, the more prosperous areas are along and above Carrera 33 (Cabecera area) and to the south, over the Viaduct in Floridablanca (Cañaveral area), while the poorest areas are to the north (Kennedy area). The site of the old airport, the last big piece of undeveloped land on the plateau itself, was turned into middle-class apartment housing (Ciudadela Real de Minas) in the 1980s. The government center for the city and department, built around the old colonial plaza, is several blocks removed from the commercial center of the city. The departmental university, the Universidad Industrial de Santander (UIS), is in the northeastern part of the city; there are several private universities of varying quality.

In January 20, 2006, Colombian company Telecom launched WiMAX, thus becoming the first city in Colombia and the second in Latin America to have it.

City's Communes and Neighborhoods

Bucaramanga is divided in 17 Communes which group several neighborhoods

• Commune 1: Norte

Neighborhoods : El Rosal, Colorados, Café Madrid, Las Hamacas, Altos del Kennedy, Kennedy, Balcones del Kennedy, Las Olas, Villa Rosa (sectores I, II y III), Omagá (sectores I y II), Minuto de Dios, Tejar Norte (sectores I y II), Miramar, Miradores del Kennedy, El Pablón (Villa Lina, La Torre, Villa Patricia, Sector Don Juan, Pablón Alto y Bajo).

• Commune 2: Nororiental

Neighborhoods: Los Angeles, Villa Helena I y II, José María Córdoba, Esperanza I, II y III, Lizcano I y II, Regadero Norte, San Cristóbal, La Juventud, Transición I, II, III, IV y V, La Independencia, Villa Mercedes, Bosque Norte.

• Commune 3: San Francisco

Neighborhoods: Norte Bajo, San Rafael, El Cinal, Chapinero, Comuneros, La Universidad, Mutualidad, Modelo, San Francisco, Alarcón.

• Commune 4: Occidental

Neighborhoods: Gaitán, Granadas, Nariño, Girardot, La Feria, Nápoles, Pío Xll, 23 de Junio, Santander, Don Bosco, 12 de Octubre, La Gloria.

• Commune 5: García Rovira

Neighborhoods: Quinta Estrella, Alfonso López, La Joya, Chorreras de Don Juan, Campohermoso, La Estrella, Primero de Mayo.

• Commune 6: La Concordia

Neighborhoods: La Concordia, San Miguel, Candiles, Aeropuerto Gómez Niño, Ricaurte, La Ceiba, La Salle, La Victoria.

• Commune 7: La Ciudadela

Neighborhoods: Ciudadela Real de Minas.

• Commune 8: Sur Occidente

Neighborhoods: San Gerardo, Antiguo Colombia, Los Canelos, Bucaramanga, Cordoncillo I y II, Pablo VI, 20 de Julio, Africa, Juan XXIII, Los Laureles.

• Commune 9: La Pedregosa

Neighborhoods: Quebrada la Iglesia, Antonia Santos Sur, San Pedro Claver, San Martín, Nueva Granada, La Pedregosa, La Libertad, Diamante I, Villa Inés, Asturias, Las Casitas.

• Commune 10: Provenza

Neighborhoods: Diamante II, San Luis, Provenza, El Cristal, Fontana, Granjas de Provenza.

• Commune 11: Sur

Neighborhoods: Ciudad Venecia, Villa Alicia, El Rocío, Toledo Plata, Dangond, Manuela Beltrán I y II, Igzabelar, Santa María, Los Robles, Granjas de Julio Rincón, Jardines de Coaviconsa, El Candado, Malpaso, El Porvenir, Las Delicias.

• Commune 12: Cabecera del Llano

Neighborhoods: Cabecera del Llano, Sotomayor, Antiguo Campestre, Bolarquí, Mercedes, Puerta del Sol, Conucos, El Jardín, Pan de Azúcar, Los Cedros, Terrazas, La Floresta.

• Commune 13: Oriental

Neighborhoods: Los Pinos, San Alonso, Galán, La Aurora, Las Américas, El Prado, Mejoras Públicas, Antonia Santos, Bolívar, Alvarez.

• Commune 14: Morrorico

Neighborhoods: Vegas de Morrorico, El Diviso, Morrorico, Albania, Miraflores, Buenos Aires, Limoncito, Los Sauces.

• Commune 15: Centro

Neighborhoods: Centro, García Rovira.

• Commune 16: Lagos Del Cacique

Neighborhoods: Lagos del Cacique, El Tejar, San Expedito.

• Commune 17: Mutis

Neighborhoods: Mutis, Balconcitos, Monterredondo, Héroes, Estoraques I y II, Prados del Mutis.

People

Many important personalities from Colombia are from Bucaramanga such as Luis Carlos Galán, presidential candidate murdered in 1989, Carlos Ardila Lülle, one of the most important businessmen in Colombia and politician Horacio Serpa Uribe.

Education

The city has a good reputation due to its numerous universities, amongst them:

Universidad Industrial de Santander

• Universidad Industrial de Santander

The Universidad Industrial de Santander is an official institution which offers 95 degrees and a wide range of undergraduate and graduate courses within the health sciences, humanities, sciences and engineering colleges. Also it offers seven technological programs in different fields through the Distance Learning Institute. Nowadays, after 50 years of existence, there are nearly 14.000 students registered in undergraduate and graduate programs, as well as a total 22.000 alumni. It proudly stands as the leading higher education institution in the northeastern part of the country and ranks fourth among official universities nationwide. Also, the University has created affiliate branches in Barrancabermeja - home of the most important oil refinery in the country -, El Socorro and Málaga. Recently it has extended its services to Barranquilla and Bogotá through the offer of its Graduate Programs.

Universidad de Santander (UDES)

• Universidad de Santander (UDES)

Universidad Autónoma de Bucaramanga

• Universidad Autónoma de Bucaramanga

Universidad Santo Tomás

• Universidad Santo Tomás

Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana

• Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana

Sports

Club Atlético Bucaramanga Corporacion Deportiva, known simply as Atlético Bucaramanga, is a Colombian football club based in the city of Bucaramanga. The club was founded in 1949, and plays their home games at the Alfonso López stadium.

Transportation

Local Bus

• Metrolinea

Intercity Bus

• Terminal de Transportes de Bucaramanga

Air

• Palonegro International Airport

Tourism

• Panachi

Media

• Newspaper: Vanguardia Liberal.
• Television : Television Regional del Oriente

References

1. ^ [1]
2. ^ www.ideam.gov.co

• (Spanish) Vanguardia Liberal; Cuando a Bucaramanga la hicieron capital

External links

• Bucaramanga travel guide from Wikitravel
• Bucaramanga Link - Vínculos más representativos de la "Ciudad Bonita".
• Wikitravel Spanish page (Spanish)
• Real estate for sale in Bucaramanga (Spanish)
• Physical data (Spanish)
• A brief history (Spanish)
• Website of the mayor's office (Spanish)
• City photo Guide (Spanish)
• Metropolitan area of Bucaramanga(Spanish)
• Local Chamber of Commerce (Spanish)
• Maps and virtual tours(English and Spanish)
• Bucaramanga Daily Photo

Municipalities in Santander Department Aguada • Albania • Aratoca • Barbosa • Barichara • Barrancabermeja • Betulia • Bolívar • Bucaramanga • Cabrera • California • Capitanejo • Carcasi • Cepita • Cerrito • Charala • Charta • Chima • Chipata • Cimitarra • Concepción • Confines • Contratación • Coromoro • Curiti • El Carmen • El Guacamayo • El Peñón • El Playón • Encino • Enciso • Florián • Floridablanca • Galan • Gambita • Girón • Guaca • Guadalupe • Guapota • Guavata • Guepsa • Hato • Jesus María • Jordan • La Belleza• Landazuri • La Paz • Lebrija • Los Santos • Macaravita • Málaga • Matanza • Mogotes • Molagavita • Ocamonte • Oiba • Onzaga • Palmar • Palmas Socorro • Paramo • Piedecuesta • Pinchote • Puente Nacional • Puerto Parra • Puerto Wilches • Rionegro • Sabana de Torres • San Andrés • San Benito • San Gil • San Joaquín • San José de Suaita • San José Miranda • San Miguel • San Vicente de Chucurí • Santa Bárbara • Santa Helena del Opón • Simacota • Socorro • Sucre • Surata • Tona • Valle San José • Vélez • Vetas • Villanueva • Zapatoca

From Wikitravel

Bucaramanga is a city in the Santander region of Colombia.

Understand

Bucaramanga is a medium sized city, home to nearly 1 million inhabitants (all of the metropolitan area). It's a major commercial hub in northeastern Colombia, playing a significant role in trade between Colombia and Venezuela. It's not a huge touristy destination like Cartagena or Santa Marta but nonetheless it is surrounded by beautiful landscapes and ancient towns with a lot of history, which overall makes the visit to Bucaramanga worthwhile.

Get in

As always in Colombia, foreigners are NOT advised to travel by car alone. You can go out with your family, your friends or with a guide with no problem. They will take you to their farms, nearby towns and resorts without problems.

By air

Palonegro Airport (BGA) is located about 45 minutes from town near Lebrija. Domestic flights include Bogotá, Medellín, Cúcuta and Yopal, and it recently started its first international flights to Panama City, with renovations underway to further expand its flights.

By bus

The city offers a clean, modern and nice bus station (La Terminal de Transportes de Bucaramanga) from where you can take busses to almost any destination around Colombia; you can even take buses from here that will take you to Venezuela, Perú and Ecuador. There are frequent 10 hour buses from Bogota for prices starting from COP 40 000.

Get around

By bus

There are many public and private transportation companies that offer bus services and cover almost all of the metropolitan area (Bucaramanga, Girón, Floridablanca and Piedecuesta). It's a cheap and a rather safe way (ticket costs around US$ 0.45). However, it will cost more depending on the bus, the route, and the day traveling around Bucaramanga. They offer nice and clean vehicles that you will make you feel comfortable. If loud music is not your preference then this transportation option could be a problem for you. Most of the drivers enjoy their loud music, but this doesn't happen in most cases.

As stated above, foreigners should not take buses if they are traveling alone. Especially to some 'hot' (dangerous because of the conflict) places like Villavicencio and Barrancabermeja, which are advised to use air services instead. The road that links Bogotá with Bucaramanga is safe, and you can freely travel on this road or take buses with no concern. This road also offers some excellent spots worth checking out, like the Chicamocha Canyon, the towns of San Gil, Socorro, Vélez and Barichara, among others.

Metrolínea

Opened in December 2009, the new bus system rides by exclusive lanes making many trips faster and more comfortable. It is safe a clean. [1]

By taxi

This is by far the best way to travel around if you don't mind spending a bit more for transportation. The cabs here are very clean, safe and they will take you anywhere you want.

Talk

Most of the people in Bucaramanga speak spanish only, and you will probably have a hard time trying to get addresses and other information from people on streets, but if you go to big hangout places like malls, parks or supermarkets, english speaker people will certainly be found around.

See

There are plenty of things to sight seeing in Bucaramanga, starting from the east side via Cúcuta you can find nice and large balconies and enjoy a panoramic view of the city. The center of Bucaramanga, like any downtown in the world, gets really crowded on weekends and peak hours, however you can enjoy lots of bargains and sales in the shops, nice quality of clothes and shoes of course.

In the south of Bucaramanga you can find different resorts or clubs where you can play golf, futbol, swim, or just chill out with your friends.

Generally the most popular zone in Bucaramanga is Cabecera, this is the most modern area in the city with lots of malls and entertainment like cinemas, restaurants and shops.

• Colombia Paragliding, [2]. Ruitoque is the best place in Colombia for both tandem and paragliding courses. Colombia paragliding is an Internationally qualified company offering the best and most qualified guides.  edit
• Visit the many shopping centers
• Practice extreme sports (rappel, kayak, paragliding, etc...)
• Go to the [Mesa de Los Santos]

• Universidad Industrial de Santander (UIS), [3]: This is a public university, and it's regarded as one of the top ten universities in Colombia. This place offers a wide range of engineering schools, and a very reputable medical school.

Buy

To buy shoes, there is not a better place than Bucaramanga, due to the many shoe factories the prices are inexpensive. Good leather and excellent manufacturing.

Pineapples are an excellent buy. The best pineapples in the world, with only competition from the Hawaiian pineapples.

Eat

Traditional Santanderean dishes include:

• Cabro : Goat meat.

• Mute : A thick soup made with beans, corn, garbanzos, potatoes, various meats (including fresh pig feet, pork loin chops, beef spareribs).

• Fritanga : If you don't mind some grease and fried food, you should try fritanga. It consists of an assortment of different kind of sausages, yuca, potatoes, corn, steak, and others, all deep-fried. You can find a traditional Fritanga market in the town of Girón located about 15 minutes from Bucaramanga.

• Culonas : Short for Hormigas Culonas which literally translates 'big ass ants', is a traditional dish, found nowhere else in Colombia, and maybe around the world. The Culonas are 'leaf-cutter' ants (big ones!). Their heads, wings and legs are removed and the rest of the body is toasted and salted.

• Caldo : It's a light soup. It contains water (of course, but sometimes milk is added), potatoes, cilantro (coriander), and tostados (traditional flat round toasted bread). Additionally it may contain rib meat (with bone) or 1 or 2 eggs. It's accompanied with Santanderean Arepa.

Don't forget to try all the fresh fruits you can find at either the traditional markets, or at the supermarkets. Pineapples from Lebrija (Located 35-40 minutes from Bucaramanga) are famous for their size and sweetness. Oranges, tangerines and limes are traditional crops and can be found all year round (like most of the other fruits). Mango, Papaya, Watermelon, Maracuyá (passion fruit), Guava, Curuba, Pitahaya... the list is very extensive.

• Masato : fermented beverage prepared from rice and sugar cane.
• Chicha : fermened beverage prepared from corn and sugar.
• Aguardiente : a liquor made out of sugar cane and flavored with anise.

Some of the popular places in Bucaramanga:

• "deraka mandaka"
• "Mr. Babilla"
• "La Calle"
• "Mi Pais"
• "Barricada"
• "Babilonia"
• "Zoologico"
• "Con Arte"
• "Saxo"
• "Fortyfour"
• "Giron Chill Out - Cocktail Bar y Restaurante Italiano"

Links

Bucaramanga Daily Photo

• Fly Site Hostel (Colombia Paragliding), Km 2 via Mesa Ruitoque, ☎ 312 432 6266. Come to our fly-site hostal, right next to Las Aguilas launch in Ruitoque. A rustic cabana, 20 steps from a groomed, grassy launch. Wake up, eat breakfast and fly all day long. Thermal, XC in the morning and ridge soar all afternoon. Pilot’s dream come true! Top land in your house. Hammocks, fire pit, city views, and cafeteria service on weekends. 30.000.  edit

• Hotel Asturias, Carrera 22, No. 35-01 (reservasasturias@hotelciudadbonita.com.co), ☎ 6351914. Nice hotel with a pretty courtyard and clean rooms. Hot water, cable TV, free Wi-Fi. Single occupancy for 45,000. Some rooms have multiple beds, like dorms. Like the rest of Bucaramanga, prices are a bit higher than in neighboring cities, but this is one of the better places in an area with a wide range of hotels.  edit

Get out

The new aerial cable is among the longest in the world. You can board in the neighboring towns of Mesa de los Santos or Panachi across the Chicamocha national park, it covers a fantastic view of a deep canyon [4].

Girón is a small and pretty colonial style town just about 10 km outside Bucaramanga.

From LoveToKnow 1911

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

English

Proper noun

Wikipedia has an article on:

Bucaramanga

Wikipedia

Bucaramanga

1. A city in northeastern Colombia.

References