The capital of Colombia, Bogotá, is one of the best-known cities in South America and all of 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 article and, thus, enjoy the content that we have prepared for you about this Colombian area. So let’s go and discover the best curiosities of Bogotá!
Curious facts about Bogotá that amaze 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. Therefore, knowing some curious facts about Bogotá is especially important for those who are interested in knowing how it works and what happens in this area of the world.
1. It is one of the tallest in the class
To begin with the curiosities of Bogotá, we must say that it is located more than 2500 meters above sea level, which makes it one of the highest capitals in South America.
2. Bogotá is quite a lady, but why is it called that?
Another curious fact 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 about 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 Our Lady of Hope. This was awarded by Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada.
4. Let’s continue with the name!
Simón Bolívar was the cause of the city going from being called Santa Fe to being called Bogotá, because the first was considered by the Venezuelan military as a Spanish imposition, while the second was much more native.
When the 1991 Constitution was signed and due to an error, the city was called Santa Fe de Bogotá; However, due to the indignation of the capital’s residents, In 2000 it was officially called Bogotá again.
5. So, what is the name?
Despite the different names that the city received, The people who live in this area are called Bogotanos. In colloquial terms, they are also known as rolls. Did you know this among the curiosities of Bogotá?
6. Before Bogotá was not just a
According to a map from 1538, drawn by the chief Don Diego Torres, On the left bank of the Bogotá River there existed, at that time, the great town of Santa Fe. (the current capital of Colombia).
However, on the right bank there 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 thrice founded
Another of the curiosities of Bogotá is that it was founded several times:
- The first founding of the city occurred in 1537 on Carrera 2 and Calle 13, more properly, in what is known as 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 minutes 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
In the past, the area where Bogotá is located was a lakewhich is why today it is possible to find various wetlands in its territory.
9. An extensive river runs through it
We continue talking about the curious facts about Bogotá with the famous Bogotá River. It is the largest that crosses the city (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 about Bogotá, it is worth mentioning its narrowest street. Although the city is filled with wide avenues, what not everyone knows is that between streets 26 and 27 and streets 9 and 10 It is the narrowest street in the capital, which is 20 centimeters wide.
11. A woman is his 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. At 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 highlighting among the curious facts about 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 Bogotá it is possible to find the tallest buildings in all of Colombia. An example of this is the BD Bacatá, or Bogotá Downtown Bacatá, project, composed of two towers, one 216 meters high and the other 167 meters high. There is also the Atrio Norte tower with 201 meters high and the Colpatria Tower with 196 meters.
15. What is your longest avenue?
The curiosities of Bogotá do not stop. You should know that the longest road in the city is the Boyaca Avenue It is the longest in the entire 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 volume.
Besides, The airport is among the 10 air terminals with the best performance in 2023, according to the survey carried out by Cirium, a world leader in aviation analysis.
17. Bogotá may make you shake, literally!
Bogotá is an area of high seismic activity, since its tectonic plate has received numerous impacts throughout history. This member of the curious facts of Bogotá is one of the greatest 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 climate It is oceanic, highlighting mountain climates, therefore, temperatures are usually between 5°C to 19°C.
The city’s climate is not at all predictable, so if you visit the city, do not hesitate to always go out with an umbrella and clothing that is adaptable to heat or cold.
19. Many people live there and the majority are women.
According to the 2018 census, More than 7 million people live in Bogotáhighlighting the female population above the male population (52.2% and 47.8%, respectively).
20. Strata? The word that characterizes Bogotá
Another of the curiosities of Bogotá is that this city is divided into 6 socioeconomic stratawhich allow defining the costs of housing and services in general.
21. One of the proudest curious facts about Bogotá: literacy
Bogotá 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 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. No! In Bogotá the metro 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 subway.
25. Sundays are enjoyed in the big city
On Sundays and holidays many of the main Bogotá roads They are closed so that cyclists, skaters and runners can carry out sports activities.
This measure has served both to protect the environment and to lighten traffic in the city.
26. The pickaxe and plate: Keep it in mind to mobilize!
In it Bogotá road system There is something called “pico y placa”, an activity that restricts the use of cars on certain days, according to the numbers on their license plates.
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 Bogotá receives a total of 52% of foreign people who visit it for tourism purposesall thanks to the wide 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 with the purpose of investing abroad.
30. Religion in the city
To finish our list of curious facts about Bogotá, it is worth mentioning that Bogota residents are, above all, Catholics, although it is also possible to find some Protestants.
With this we conclude with the curiosities of Bogotá, tell us if you already knew them and which one interested you the most. Although this is the capital of the country, it is worth highlighting that all of Colombia is a treasure. Thus, we invite you to discover these natural reserves in Colombia. They will make you know the country even more.
Curiosities about 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 curious facts about cities around the planet. Discover them in this list!
These are the curious facts about Bogotá that we prepare for you. Let us know in the comments area what data you found most surprising and, of course, if you know of any other that is not in the previous list, share it so that we can all learn more about this capital city that is so important for Colombia. and all of Latin America. We’ll read you right away!