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Pereira
KNOWLEDGE OF Pereira
The city of Pereira is the capital city of the Colombian department of Risaralda. It stands in the center of the western region of the country, located in a small valley that descends from a part of the western Andes mountain chain. Its strategic location in the coffee producing area makes the city one of the most important urban centers in Colombia, as does its proximity to the three most important cities in the country – Bogotá, Cali and Medellín – and to the sea and the biggest airport in the whole area. In 2004 it reported a population of 576,329.
The early settlers were the Quimbaya tribes famous for their gold artistic creations, considered of the highest in quality among cultures from pre-Columbian America.
The Spanish established their first settlement around the year 1540. The town of Cartago was first founded here and then moved around 1691 to the place where it is today. Much later, in the middle of the 19th century, settlers from Antioquia occupied the area and established the city in 1863. The city is thus the result of a major demographic and territorial movement known as the "Antioquian Expansion", which developed an enormous economic movement that boosted the development of the whole country.
The most important product for the settlers was coffee. Coffee is still today the most important crop produced in the area. Pereira has received not only the migrations from Antioquia, but still today, receives migrants from Valle, Bogotá, and other major Colombian cities. However, during the economic recession of 1999, and the low-growth years of 2000 and 2001, many pereirans emigrated to the United States and Spain. Some particular neighborhoods, like the neighborhood called Cuba, are believed to average at least one member of the family living abroad.
In 1966 Pereira became the capital city of the department of Risaralda.
With the last nation-wide census in Colombia happening in 1993 it is hard to assess accurately the current population. This is especially exacerbated by the fact that many emigrants that left Colombia to live the US, Spain, Mexico and Costa Rica are known to come from Pereira. Colombia's national institute of statistics (DANE.gov.co) ran a Pereira-specific recount on 2004.
The population is believed to be of approximately 500,000 inhabitants as of 2005, making it the eighth biggest city in Colombia. Pereira also has a twin city, Dosquebradas, of approximately 200,000 inhabitants, making the area one of the most crowded urban areas in Colombia.
Plaza de Bolívar
Very famous because of the "Bolívar Desnudo" – Naked Bolívar monument . It is located in the main square in the center of the city in front of the cathedral, between 7th and 8th street. The area is the focus of commercial and financial activities. The most important activities in the city take place here.
The early settlers were the Quimbaya tribes famous for their gold artistic creations, considered of the highest in quality among cultures from pre-Columbian America.
The Spanish established their first settlement around the year 1540. The town of Cartago was first founded here and then moved around 1691 to the place where it is today. Much later, in the middle of the 19th century, settlers from Antioquia occupied the area and established the city in 1863. The city is thus the result of a major demographic and territorial movement known as the "Antioquian Expansion", which developed an enormous economic movement that boosted the development of the whole country.
The most important product for the settlers was coffee. Coffee is still today the most important crop produced in the area. Pereira has received not only the migrations from Antioquia, but still today, receives migrants from Valle, Bogotá, and other major Colombian cities. However, during the economic recession of 1999, and the low-growth years of 2000 and 2001, many pereirans emigrated to the United States and Spain. Some particular neighborhoods, like the neighborhood called Cuba, are believed to average at least one member of the family living abroad.
In 1966 Pereira became the capital city of the department of Risaralda.
With the last nation-wide census in Colombia happening in 1993 it is hard to assess accurately the current population. This is especially exacerbated by the fact that many emigrants that left Colombia to live the US, Spain, Mexico and Costa Rica are known to come from Pereira. Colombia's national institute of statistics (DANE.gov.co) ran a Pereira-specific recount on 2004.
The population is believed to be of approximately 500,000 inhabitants as of 2005, making it the eighth biggest city in Colombia. Pereira also has a twin city, Dosquebradas, of approximately 200,000 inhabitants, making the area one of the most crowded urban areas in Colombia.
Plaza de Bolívar
Very famous because of the "Bolívar Desnudo" – Naked Bolívar monument . It is located in the main square in the center of the city in front of the cathedral, between 7th and 8th street. The area is the focus of commercial and financial activities. The most important activities in the city take place here.
Chapi