The ancient city of Bogota, the capital of Colombia, is not as interesting as many other towns in this country. Unlike them, it has practically not preserved historical buildings, and it is a typical Latin American metropolis. There are business districts glittering with skyscrapers, and dangerous slums, and islands of well-being in the form of condominiums surrounded by high fences with barbed wire. There is not a single place in Bogota that can be called completely safe.
Facts about the city of Bogota
- Bogota has a population of 7.1 million.
- Bogota lies at an altitude of about 2600 meters above sea level.
- It was founded by the Spanish conquistadors in the 16th century, placing a new city in the very center of the native Chibcha civilization that they crushed.
- Bogota is on the list of the most dangerous cities in the world year after year.
- Of all the cities in Colombia, Bogota is the largest and most populous (interesting facts about Colombia).
- Here there is no extreme heat, and the thermometer never rose above +25.8 degrees. And at night, though rarely, there are still frosts.
- The working day, as well as studying in schools, in Bogotá start early, at 6 am local time. And by 6 pm night falls, and at this time it becomes unsafe to go out.
- The historical center of Bogota was destroyed during the uprising that occurred in the middle of the 20th century.
- Thanks to the fact that low-rise buildings predominate here, Bogota occupies a very large area, being one of the ten most extensive cities in the world.
- Among all the cities in the world with a population of more than 5 million people, Bogota is the highest (interesting facts about the cities of the world).
- Slum dwellers here are officially exempt from taxes and paying utility bills.
- The streets of Bogota have numbers instead of names.
- Level crime danger is hinted at by signs warning of danger or prohibiting shooting.
- Entrance to many museums in Bogota on certain days of the week (most often Saturday or Sunday) is free for everyone.
- Walls most of the buildings in Bogota are covered in graffiti. Interestingly, really high-quality and beautiful paintings prevail.