Montería
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- This article is being translated from a Spanish Wikipedia article with additions.
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| City flag | City Coat of arms |
| City nickname: ""Colombia's Cattling Capital", "The pearl of the Sinú" y "The city of the Purple Martins", " | |
 Location in the Department of Cordoba department |
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| Area - Total |
15,456 km²/ 9,660 sq mi |
| Population - Total (2002) - Density |
260 208 aprox. (1) |
| Time zone | UTC–5 |
| Location | |
| Mayor | Leon Fidel Ojeda |
| Government of Montería official website | |
Montería is a city located in Northern Colombia, capital of the Colombian Department of Cordoba. The city is located 50 KM (30 Miles) away from the Caribbean Sea, by the Sinú River. The city and region are famous for their distinct cultural heritages, which include a blend of indigenous Zenú Indians, African descendants, colonial Spanish descendants, and most recently, Arab immigrants. The city is home to the Sombrero Vueltiáo, a national symbol; and is the home of Porro folklore music. The city has an inland seaport connected to the Caribbean Sea by the Sinú River.
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[edit] History
The area was first settled by Zenú Indians, who lived in the banks of the Sinú river (Finzenú), San Jorge river (Panzenú) and Nechí river (Zenúfana), where today is the Department of Córdoba. In 2003, dentist and historian Jaime Castro released Historia Extensa de Montería, a book on the history of the city. According to Castro's book, Montería was founded on May 1st, 1777 by Spanish officer Antonio de la Torre y Miranda, being governor of the Province of Cartagena officer Juan de Torrezár Díaz Pimienta. The city, that had been named Montería by its inhabitants and located on the east side of the Sinú river, was then renamed "San Jerónimo de Buenavista" and moved to the west side of the Sinú.
San Jerónimo de Buenavista was the name chosen by Antonio de la Torre y Miranda, in order to honor Saint Jeronimo, but people kept calling it Montería. In 1803 the city was burn by a group of natives, so it was that residents decided to move back, to the Sinú's east bank, where it remains today on its most part, even though in the last years it has seen a growth in population in the west side. In 1923 it became a municipality of Bolívar Department and in 1952 it was designated as capital of the new Department of Córdoba. Montería was located within the boundaries of the Colombian Department of Bolívar until 1952 when it separated from Bolívar and became the capital of the new Department of Córdoba.
With a population of approximately 400,000, the city is considered to be one of the 10th most important cities in Colombia and is locally known as La Perla del Sinú (The Pearl of the River Sinú).
[edit] Media and Communications
[edit] News Media
- El Meridiano de Cordoba (Local Newspaper)
- La Olympica (Local Radio - Music and News)
- La Tropical (Local Radio - Music and News)
[edit] Internet and Telecommunicaitons
- Telecom Colombia (Local-toll and Long Distance Telephone and Dialup and Limited Broadband (DSL) Internet)
- TeleCable (Cable Television)
- CafeInternet (Downtown Internet Cafe)
[edit] Economy
The town's economy is based mainly on cattle farming, and a very prosperous commercial district consisting of modern malls, shops, and restaurant chains. It is considered to be the Cattle Farming Capital of Colombia and celebrates this title with a yearly festival. Weatlh is distributed unevenly with the majority in the hands of wealthy farmers.
[edit] Transportation
Monteria lies on a major highway connecting Medallin to Sincelejo and extending to Cartagena and Barranquilla. It has an effective public transportation system and arterial connections to the rest of the country.
[edit] Public Transportation
As is common in most Colombian municipalities, public transportation is tightly integrated into the city. A system of taxis and several lines of large and small buses serve the community on surface streets.
A passenger-only ferry system known as "Planchones", consisting of roofed wooden rafts that traverse the Sinu river along a system of manual cable tows was instituted as a means of spanning it before a proper bridge could be constructed, and has served as an alternative means of crossing the river even today. It is one of the most notable features of the city.
[edit] Water
The city is served by a fishing port but the waters of the Sinu river do not run deep enough and are not wide enough to serve as a commercial channel.
[edit] Rail
There is no rail infrastructure.
[edit] Air Travel
Monteria is home to a regional airport which provides service to capital cities of neighaboring provinces and to the nations capital, Bogota.
[edit] Demographics
The region is populated by a diverse mix of peoples, including the indigenous people of the region, the Zenu, a tribe of natives with their own language that once produced ornate pottery and goldworks.
[edit] Nieghborhoods
- Canta Claro
- Los Ejecutivos
- La Granja
- P-5
- Mercado del Sur
- La Charme
- Urbina
[edit] Geopgraphy
The city, which lies in a valley, is divided by the Sinu river and surrounded and sparsely populated by tropical flora and fauna. The town's climate is mainly warm and moderately humid, with average yearly temperatures of 27ºC (80ºF). The area is subject to flooding.
[edit] Sites of Interest
There are scenic areas that are points of pride in Monteria, including:
- The city's 1st Avenue runs along the Sinú river and offers a beautiful view of the river.
- Simon Bolivar Park is separates the river from 1st Avenue and is home to wild Monkeys and Sloths.
- The Colonial-era Cathedral of Saint Peter is surrounded by a beautiful park.
- "Los Ejecutivos" is a major shopping center in the area.
- The bridge spanning the Sinu river was a major accomplishment for the city and is a local landmark.
[edit] Education
Both public and private educational institutions run the gamut from unlicensed private preschools to fully accredited universities.
[edit] Universities
- Universidad de Córdoba. (Public)
- Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana. (Catholic)
- Universidad del Sinú.
- Fundación Universitaria Luis Amigó.
[edit] External Links and References
- El Meridiano De Cordoba - Local Paper
- Fact Sheet, Colombian Government
Departament Capitals
San Andres • Riohacha • Santa Marta • Barranquilla • Monteria • Sincelejo • Valledupar • Cartagena
Other Cities and Towns
Maicao • Sabanalarga • Mompox • Aracataca • Magangue • La Paz • Providencia Island • Tolú
