OMG! More Culture!

There is much culture on Colombia, as you can see on Santander, Tolima, and Cartagena etc, but what about Bogota?

Bogota is the capital city of Colombia. It has much things of culture, you can go to so many autistics and educations collage, on the Calendaria. There you can go to churches, museums, many things where you can know how Bogota came up, how Colombia and all Latin America was so many years ago. How all started. It is more; there are politics structures, houses of many years ago etc.

Museo Del oro

This is one of the most known museums on Colombia. There are many treasures make on real gold, is one from of art which is so difficult to see now on days. Here the guides would tell you fantastic tales of how these beautiful forms on gold were make up. Legends like the leyenda Del Dorado, on Guasca.

links:
http://www.banrep.gov.co/museo/eng/home4.htm
http://www.banrep.gov.co/museo/eng/expo_sigloxxi.htm

Museo de los niños

This museum is a good example to learn playing. On this museum, you can experiment different sensaciations, where the children form 1-12 years old can had fun, be happy, learn, know more about how can they be when they would grow etc.

Spanish web page: http://www.museodelosninos.org.co/

Other museums:

• La Biblioteca Luis Ángel Arango ,
• Museo Botero Museo Iglesia Santa Clara
• Museo Mercedes Sierra de Perez El Chico
• Casa museo quinta de bolívar.

This places show you more about our culture, with many funny things, were you will know that on Colombia you appreciate, and make happy your life!

Yes! People from Bogota helps you, are kind, and they celebrates life!

People's Profiles

Profile of Samuel Moreno

Samuel Moreno Rojas is undoubtedly one of the men poised to rule over the destinies of the city.

His youth contrasts with the seniority of his extensive experience as a congressman, lawyer and training pública.Esa training originates in the great social work of his grandfather, former President Gustavo Rojas Pinilla, through the leadership example of their parents, Maria Eugenia Rojas, Samuel Moreno Diaz, his brother, former minister, former mayor and now Senator Ivan Moreno, and was strengthened in his 15 years of service to country, from the Senate.

Among many achievements, this draft law which has allowed the participation of women in high offices of state.

He led the discussions of the Telecommunications Act now allows citizens to communicate easily from all cities, towns and villages in Colombia.

He was the author of several environmental projects to improve the quality of life of citizens, as the preservation of watersheds, or the Environmental Pollution, aimed at controlling the noise in cities to protect the hearing of citizens, the creation of Forest Bank, and solar energy, which will develop this service in the future, with discounts of 50% in energy tariffs.

He led discussions on Mobile Phones, which said the expansion plans of social telephony to more remote municipalities and strengthened the laws that increased the programs of the Open University and Distance "UNAD.

He managed, too, set the gradual dismantling of subsidies for public services, avoiding a serious economic harm to the neediest. And secured a substantial increase in resources for education credits. Today they are approved almost all applications,

He authored the bill to allow electronic voting in Colombia, strengthened the Aviation Safety in the country, triggering the process of installing radio aids, increased the number of inspectors and pulled out the construction of the second runway at El Dorado Airport Bogota.

Before finishing his term as Senator, Moreno Rojas, reaches a Master in Public Administration from the prestigious Harvard University in the School of Government Jonh F. Kennedy.

This quick glance at public and social work of Samuel Moreno Rojas, reflects its own light and the solid foundations that emerge as the best candidate to run for mayor of Bogota. No topic was foreign. By contrast, the direct perception dominates and the security that give knowledge and experience.

Profile of Rafael Pardo

Rafael Pardo Rueda has over 15 years in public life. He has held important positions and at all given rise to changes that give him the recognition as a political leader of extensive experience in the country.

In his first public office as director of the National Rehabilitation Plan, built the largest program of rural development that has taken the country. Not just in terms of budget (PNR represented 14% of the national investment budget between 1988 and 1991), but also because it was the first program was participatory Colombia. Thousands of people were part of the decisions of the State, and through public participation, there were large and small works.

As Presidential Advisor for Peace during the tenure of President Barco, Pardo made a novel policy of peace called the Peace Initiative, which first set limits, rules and public objectives for negotiations with the guerrillas. But the contribution was not only in designing policies, in theory, but mainly in its practical application.

He led the first successful negotiations with a guerrilla group in Colombia's history. In just over twelve months, the M-19 went from being an armed group threatened the peace and stability in the country to be a civilian political group and left arms and made peace. On 9 March 1990, the M-19 signed the final peace agreement with the Government, ending fifteen years of armed uprising. Pardo Rueda in May 1990 began negotiations with the then second largest guerrilla group in the country, the People's Liberation Army PLA, with the armed group Quintin Lame, Cauca indigenous self-defense, and the Partido Revolucionario de los Trabajadores, PRT, a division of ELN operating on the Caribbean coast and the Cauca.

With these four groups (M-19, PLA, QL, PRT) established a process of peace that lay down arms and enter civilian life plus five thousand guerrillas. It was the only negotiated peace that has been done in Colombia in more than two decades of negotiations.

In August 1990 became the National Security Advisor of President Gaviria.Established as a National Public Policy Against Violence, which were integrated programs and actions of all entities in this regard. As a result, between 1991 and 1994 dropped the statistics of kidnapping, murder and manslaughter common political purposes. It is the only period in which these indicators have declined nationally. Also had the responsibility to design what was then called the Policy Submission to the Justice. Search for those who have outstanding accounts with the law may arise, confess and be convicted in exchange for a reduced sentence. This policy, despite being criticized, has been the basis of the adversarial system which is then implemented with the attorney general and was ultimately to dismantle drug cartels and narco-terrorist to stop the war that bloodied the Colombian cities in the years 89 and 90.

Pardo Rueda was the first civilian who took the Defense Ministry in Colombia.To bring the security forces to the requirements of the Constitution of 1991, supported the peace negotiations that were developed with the umbrella guerrilla in Caracas and Tlaxcala, and when these failed, he led the armed forces to decisively confront the guerrillas. Between 1991 and 1994 increased the force of professional soldiers and 2,000 to 25,000, opened a wide discussion on the police and their importance for the country, promoted a bill to reform this institution. He then gained the approval of the reform bill to the National Police. Established military service in this institution, the institution purged thousands of police corrupt or inefficient and renewed confidence in this important institution.

To do justice and improve the welfare and wage levels of officers, noncommissioned officers, agents and personnel of the Armed Forces established the call Pardo Rueda income equalization, introduced fair wages to members of the security forces and distributed wages from Generals even the lowest ranked according to length of service of each.

He faced the worst attack of the guerrillas against the civilian population and infrastructure, increasing the combat capability of the armed forces of the state. He advocated the need to pay more taxes to support law enforcement in an open and above board. The war taxes were discussed and defended in public debate and won the support of citizens. Also faced Escobar's escape and his followers from jail in Envigado, reorganize the police to prosecute cartels, creating the search block by adding the best men and military and police efforts, which after 16 months intensive campaign was dismantled the Medellin cartel and killed or jailed their top leaders, including Pablo Escobar.

A level of transparency, secrecy Pardo eliminated for purchases of military forces ordered that all purchases were for competition or bidding procedures, established training programs in human rights within the Colombian armed forces and promoted the adoption of agreements Geneva (Humanitarian Law), after years of being paralyzed approval.

After leaving the government, Rafael Pardo did not accept nor request any diplomatic post. He attended Harvard University and stayed there for two years, advanced studies in international relations and published a book (From First Hand), which reflects their vision of Colombia since their experience in the Barco and Gaviria governments.

In 1997 he served as adviser to the secretary general of the OAS and had the opportunity to participate in agreements to demobilize the guerrillas of Guatemala. Then, he participated in the presidential campaigns of Alfonso Valdivieso and Andres Pastrana.

Brown was leading the initiative referendum that sought to change the policy and that even got more support than any referendum bill, failed to establish itself as not true.

He has been director of CM & News, columnist of the Spectator, where permanent generated controversy. He has been a speaker at several national and foreign universities, besides being the only Colombian who has published an article in the prestigious North American magazine Foreign Policy "Foreign Affairs".

During the second half of 2008, Rafael Pardo announced publicly their intention to participate as a presidential candidate for the elections of 2010, representing the Liberal Party. "With or without it I'll re-election candidate," he said.

STUDIES

Bogotano economist at the University of the Andes has conducted studies in Urban and Regional Planning at the Institute of Social Studies. The Hague. Netherlands.

He has also studied at Harvard University. International Relations. And Weatherhead Center for International Affairs, Cambridge. U.S. from 1994 to 1996.

PUBLISHED BOOKS

• "The history of warfare" Ediciones B.2004

• "firsthand. Colombia 1986 - 1994: Between Conflict and Hope." Perseus Publishing. November 1996

• "New Security for Latin America" Cerec - Fescol. May 1999

Society in Bogota

Over 450 'pots' of drugs is in Bogota year moving about 300 billion pesos
Every 20 seconds, three to five grams of cocaine, coca base, or marijuana bazuco pass from the hand of a peasant to that of a consumer in the streets of the capital. The figure comes from a simple calculation: in 10 months this year, police seized just over 3 million 800 thousand grams of hallucinogens, an average of 8.8 grams per minute.
The drug circulating in the streets Bogota could rise to 16 grams per minute, as according to international standards is only half of the confiscated drugs that produce gangs, but police only marries the unsuspecting figure. It is the retail market, known by authorities as the microtráfico, which intensified in the past two years and spread like a cancer throughout all the cities of Bogota. For the authorities, is a marketing strategy aimed at drug consumption. Is to distribute and sell drugs in small quantities, often at personal dose limit allowed by law in Colombia. A dose of marijuana contains no more than five grams.It is the highest. The coca base is between 1 and 3.5 and the bazuco between 1 and 2. The cocaine, usually, is 1 gram, police said. The mic is also the cost of the drug. A ballot of marijuana sold on the street in 1500 dollars, that of bazuco in 2000, coca base and cocaine in 8000 at 15,000. The more expensive ones are heroin or ecstasy, which are sold in 20 thousand dollars.
Therefore, in this street traffic coins between 50 and 500 pesos are a treasure, like the notes of a thousand and two thousand dollars. "We believe the petty cash microtráfico like the mafia," said Col. Juan Carlos Rojas Medina, coordinator of 266 officers assigned to fighting drugs in Bogota. A petty cash, in currency and coin in weight in weight, moving a year about 300 billion pesos. Cash!, An amount equivalent to what they pay every year for tax Bogota vehicles.
The Bogota Sijin (Judicial Police) has identified 458 'pots' and outlets and estimates that moves each week between 12 and 13 million pesos.After one month, may be about 24 billion in all 'pots'. That costs or megacolegios build two pedestrian bridges installed 12 of the metal used in the TransMilenio system. Although microtráfico is spread throughout the city, the locality with the highest incidence of drug trafficking is Martyrs (center), where the 'pot' of the Bronx, the most dangerous.
Then there Ciudad Bolivar, Santa Fe and San Cristobal, according to Hall. In the structure of microtráfico, gangs are on the Jivaro head and the base. In the middle, from top to bottom, are the lieutenants, the frontmen (who launder the money) and controllers or managers of outlets and 'pot'.
The latter, but effective invisible tentacles of the gangs in the city. They receive the drug in bulk, to weigh, package, mark it and put it on the street, at retail, through the hands of the Jivaro who also recruit, according to the strata to allocate the drug. Lieutenant Joshua Ivan Alvarez Barco, deputy chief of Narcotics Investigative Unit, warns that no single profile of Jivaro."You find from a person dressed in a suit and tie, which goes to a shorts and flip flops. Neither Colonel Rojas nor his men dare to calculate the number of people who make up this army drug dealer retail.
They may be hidden in candy stand, walking down the street with a knapsack on his back, bike, motorcycle, at the entrance to schools, on the corner of a neighborhood, in clubs, online or on 'pot' as the Bronx where human decay manifests itself in all its magnitude. So while not lowering their guard in the capture and prosecution of the Jivaro, the daily challenge of these cops are the drivers of the 'pots'. They would follow the trail through the mark you put that distribute drugs on the street and that microtráfico parlance is known as 'hook'. There are four common: Purple, American, National and Homer. For the color and brand of wrapping paper on which the doses of drugs, Sijin has identified the districts and localities where they operate. "We realize that our strength is dislocate the organized gangs that are bringing the problem to the city," says Colonel Rojas.

Speech by Samuel Moreno Rojas en Guadalajara, Mexico

Bogota headquarters for the Pan American Games. .

Full text of what he said the mayor of Bogota. The city struggles to host the Pan American Games 2015.Today I stand before you to carry Bogota headquarters of Pan American Games and Parapan 2015, which is our purpose country and city and also the desire and the dream of our people. I speak for the 8 million Bogota and Bogota who live in our great city. Many were not born there, but all are Bogota, Bogota is the city because of each and everyone who comes to it, because it is the capital of rights and opportunities. Bogota is the synthesis of the diversity of our country and its cultures, from the Caribbean to the Amazon and from the Orinoco to the Pacific.It is also the engine of the economy of Colombia and the epicenter of their hopes. In a privileged hour in which the world looks to South America, urged the brotherly people of Brazil that make the Olympics in 2016, with immense pride, I want to show what is now our city. A little more than a century, Bogotá could not have 100,000 people. Today is one of the 40 biggest cities of the planet, the first of the Andean Region and the sixth to do business in Latin America. Besides being a competitive city, attractive and strategic foreign investment, thanks to its economic strength, to its prime location and the quality and diversity of its services. Not in vain there are 800 companies based multinationals. A fast-paced, our city is experiencing for decades an immense process of transformation that has won over 15 international awards and recognition in the 10 ten years and the city have become a benchmark for other latitudes. We have shown the financial and managerial ability to successfully develop large infrastructure projects: giant libraries and schools, hospitals, sports venues, parks very long, miles of bike paths and innovation with mass public transport network and now with the TransMilenio implementation of the Integrated Public Transport and the first line of Metro. A triple A-rated city in its fiscal management and high investment capacity, that make your finances better support to guarantee the resources needed to implement the Pan American Games and Parapan. Bogota takes a huge social investment effort that has earned internationally recognized to be a case in reducing poverty and improving the overall quality of life for its citizens. We have made enormous strides in a short time in ensuring the right to education and free coverage total in the guarantee to free health also with vulnerable populations;and the right to food with significant increases in weight and height of our children, recently verified by international scientific publications.

The importance of healthy environment

Consistent with the city we are building rights, my government has taken head-on commitment to guarantee the right to a healthy environment. In little over a year, our management began to show results with the comprehensive strategy to clean the air, improving the quality of diesel, which takes place in significant reductions of particulate matter. Added to this is planting over 100,000 trees in public spaces, the effective control of the dumping of our major rivers and the protection of our wetlands and their fauna and flora. Thanks to the commitment of government and the private sector's active participation, the game will stage a green city, a city that thinks about the future of coming generations. Not surprisingly, we have planned that most sporting events the Pan American Games held in the main lung of the city: El Parque Simón Bolívar.A huge green space with trees, water, trails and sports infrastructure, which are accustomed Bogotanos sports. Modernization to host the Games will be very valuable for the consolidation of the sporting habits among our citizens.

The commitment to the Pan American Village

Alongside the Great park built by the Pan American Village Urban Renewal process, based on self-financing from the lot of the work, from their reuse once the games conclude. This is not something new for our city, a leader in the Urban Renewal 287 hectares of the city and recovered. In addition, the district government, in full, has already given the project viability, because it is a commitment in building the Olympic Village and we showed with facts that we plan, make and meet our goals.

The importance of the Games

Bogota has never had the honor to make a Pan American Games. There are other event, or some games for us, but are absolutely essential for all. Because we see in them a glimmer of hope, an ideal opportunity to promote new development processes, more and better living conditions for inclusion and for peace. Amid a clear horizon to overcome the adversities that have marked our country, we now have the ability to seize this opportunity, let us make it a reality, with the support and willingness of you, ladies and gentlemen. We have the ideal infrastructure: 400 sports schools, 10 high performance schools, a regional park, 20 parks and 5,000 metropolitan neighborhood level, 347 kilometers and 121 kilometers of bicycle paths and bike path where all Bogota Bogota and went out to walk, run, jogging, regardless of differences. We have the desire, as shown by surveys conducted by the Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogota dreams do the games. Our population fully supports this initiative. We are committed not only cities but country and many Latin American brothers. We have the required experience because we are constantly mass sports and cultural events such as the Bogota Half Marathon, the Summer Festival, the Iberoamerican Theater Festival, the Festival Rock al Parque. In 2011 we will make the World Youth Cup, which will help us refine our expertise and to develop a Cultural Agenda without history. We have the time, talent and determination to learn from the best world experience and apply them. We have built a culture around sports city that makes us able to host the Games. There are other games, it's not another city. It Bogota. Our history is now. We want a city at peace with itself, more linked to the country and the region and better relations with the world. The Games are our historic opportunity to show our leadership, strengthen our democracy and our ability to build nations and continents. Therefore, we deserve to make the Pan American Games and Parapan the Festival of Peace for all peoples of America, in Colombia and Bogota in 2015. This is our moment, thank you very much

Spanish Link : http://www.inbogota.com/transporte/ciclovia.htm

Local News of Bogota

1.Six out of 10 seats are held by women in the District, but have no control
Unemployment strikes them most to them in Bogota's 9.2 percent unemployment rate in men and 10.2 in women.
While men's average salary is $ 1'086 .746, for women is $ 833,040.
Most women (46 percent) are working in positions of care and very few are in managerial levels (2.8 percent), finally make the decisions.

By contrast, in the case of men who occupy four out of ten positions in the administration-most are in professional positions (36.7 percent) and the 5.26 percent personal drive, decides and manages offices.
Today, a figure of 20,925 employees in the District, 12,152 are women and 8773 men.
This was revealed by a careful study by the liberal councilman Angela Benedetti, working on equity in Bogota, taking as its starting point a database of 66 district entities and information compiled from official sources, such as the Dane and the Government Service Civil.
Aid workers refer to administrative support activities, complementary to the tasks of the higher levels and, sometimes, are characterized by the predominance of manual activities or tasks of simple execution.

"In discrimination, there is a cultural background that persists in the idea that men's wages is to maintain the house and the superficialities of women also are viewed as a workload to become mothers," said Benedetti.
They are the best prepared
Likewise, unemployment hits the most to them: is the 9.2 percent unemployment rate in men and 10.2 percent in women.
In overall numbers, according to the accounts of the council Benedetti, men outnumber women at the managerial level: 462 versus 347.
"Statistics show us that when public policy decisions in Bogota, is not properly counting the feminine approach," said Benedetti, who yesterday launched an appeal to close this gap.
Finally, Benedetti said it is not for lack of preparation that women would not ascend to leadership positions in the District, because, according to official figures, there are five women with university degrees, compared to four for men in Bogota.

2.Aquatic plant world's largest flower in the Botanical Gardens of Bogotá after 14 years

These plants grow in natural conditions in the warm waters of the Amazon. In Bogota, it took a process that began in 1975.
Today the capital can see, from 8 in the morning and for three days, flowering under artificial conditions of the Victoria Amazonica.
The Victoria Regia, as is known in Colombia can only open their flowers when in natural conditions in the Amazon rainforest. However, this is the third time that blooms at the Botanical Garden of the capital. The first was in 1975 and the other in 1995.
The Victoria is a plant that normally grows wild in the gaps still, shallow, muddy waters bordering the great rivers of the Amazon basin.
"The first tests, conducted for germination occurred in 1975," says Professor Francisco Sanchez, technical adviser to the deputy director of the Botanical Garden.
Then came the acclimation of these plants.This process was necessary to take into account factors such as filtering sunlight, soil conditioning, the 'aeration' of water and control of pests and diseases, which was not allowed to develop naturally.
An event not to miss
This plant normally blooms every two or three months, has a life of five years and is characterized by a flower, which is similar to that of the lotus, with the only difference that this can measure up to 30 inches in diameter . The flower can be seen for three days, while making the process of pollination.
"Their reach round leaves have a diameter of about two meters wide, which can withstand even a child," says Duván Channel, assistant deputy director of education and culture of the Botanical Garden.
In fact, adds Canal in Bogota, we have that these conditions make themselves even though we are in the 2,600 meters and that he is caring in artificial conditions, with a solar panel system that, to date, responsible for maintaining the optimum temperature between 20 and 25 degrees Celsius.
Today, this plant, according to the directives of the Botanic Garden, will open its flower.
Initially will expelerá white and smells like apricot and then closes. The second day will change to purple and will open again and the third will close to complete pollination.

Link:http://www.eltiempo.com/

Openings in Bogota

For the first time the Colombians have the opportunity to enjoy the wit of one of the most splendid minds in human history, this is the exhibition "The Genius Da Vinci" which has toured major cities with a total success. In Colombia The show opens doors in Medellin on September 4 in square, wooden box, then arrive in Bogota on October 17 which will host the exhibition in the Faculty Teaching and eventually end up in Cali where it is available from 5 December at the Museo la Tertulia. "With the exposure we want to give society a culture and entertainment space, thereby strengthening the teaching spaces. I
t is clear that both private enterprise and local governments are increasingly concerned for supporting such activities, "say the organizers of the exhibition The Genius Da Vinci in Colombia.

The sample will have different facets of Leonardo Da Vinci as an inventor, philosopher, painter, scientist, engineer, sculptor, anatomist, biologist, musician and architect.Additionally, the exhibit features 3D presentations of Vitruvian Man, The Last Supper, the Sforza Horse and the Mona Lisa for understanding the perfection and brilliance of the works of Leonardo Da Vinci.

Some of the works are interactive pieces, others are machine made to scale, some are actual size replica and others, have a larger size to give more visual impact. The exhibition will also have a space where they know the 25 secrets of the Mona Lisa, discovered by the scientist, engineer and a French photographer Pascal Cotte. The exhibition in Colombia will have guided tours, lectures by renowned davinciólogos, play activities children's painting, Mona Lisa dinners and wine tastings for companies evoking the Renaissance and scheduled visits to schools with limited resources to live closely and pedagogy entertainment.

Hours of operation in each of the cities will be 8 am to 7 pm and the cost of the ticket will range between 15 and 25 thousand dollars. Students and children pay 15,000 pesos, the general public from Monday to Friday 20,000 and the weekend will be worth 25,000 pesos.

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Link: http://www.davincithegenius.com/bogota/

The Entreteinment in Bogota

YOU CAN HAVE FUN IN BOGOTA WITH THIS ACTIVITITES

Festival de verano Parque Simón Bolívar
The Simon Bolivar Park Summer Festival is organized every August. It has a massive turnout and everybody participates in competitions ranging from canoeing, horseback riding, water-skiing and kite flying. There is a beautiful 14-hectare lake, a 4 km long trekking circuit, and play areas for children. Concerts are especially organized for this event in the concert area that seats up to 60,000.

Campeonato nacional de esquí náutico
Every year, the water sports facilities at Parque Central Simón Bolívar becomes the venue for Campeonato Nacional de Esquí Náutico, the main water-skiing event in Colombia. It brings together the best sportsmen. There are four categories: figure water-skiing (acrobatics and skill competition), slalom and jumps. The event, held every August, attracts an average of 30,000 spectators.

Exposiciones de fotografía
For the youth of Bogota, Centro de Diseño Taller 5, offers courses in art, photography and graphic design for print as well as television. The emphasis, above all, is on communication through all these types of media. In March, June, September and November the students have an exhibition of their work at the center, entry to which is free. The displays of black and white photography, 35mm audiovisuals and posters are well worth a visit.

Salón Nacional de Artistas
The Salón Nacional de Artistas is an annual exhibition organized by the Ministerio de Cultura. It exhibits works in plastic arts. It was here that famous artists, like Enrique Grau, Alejandro Obreg Edgar Negret, and Eduardo Ramez Villamizar, had their first exhibitions. Following this tradition, only la crème de la crème are exhibited in this event. The Salón Nacional de Artistas takes place every late fall. Only select dates, check website for details.

Galería de Arte Fenalco
Every month, the sala de Exposiciones Fenalco, (Federación Nacional de Comerciantes) exhibits paintings by Colombian artists from all over the country. Fenalco supports the creative works of Colombian artists and tries to promote new talent. If you wish to discover the great artists of tomorrow, the sala de Exposiciones Fenalco is a place where you could find them. Admission is free.

Colombiaplast
This fair specialises in plastics, rubbers and petrochemistry. Over 200 Colombian and foreign companies participate in this event. This event has also turned into a vibrant marketplace for purchasing any kind of machinery, raw materials and products from the petrochemical, plastic and rubber industries. Ticket prices range from 5,000-10,000 Colombian pesos.

Festival de Cine de Bogotá
Founded in 1984 to showcase Colombian filmmaking, the festival first expanded to include films from other Latin American countries and then films from around the world. The emphasis remains on Colombia and other underrepresented countries, however, making this a good place to see films beyond the mainstream. The festival awards its 'Pre-Colombia Circle Awards' for Best Film, Best New Director and Best Colombia Film. All films are to be shown in their original language with Spanish subtitles. Check local listings during the festival or call for prices, and theaters and show times.

New Year's Day
The first day of Colombia's official annual holidays, New Year's Day, is primarily considered as a day of recovery from the wild, and often violent New Year's Eve festivities. Smaller street parties and public celebrations make this a calmer, safer and a pleasant time to be out. Especially, look for bands playing traditional music and vendors selling traditional foods. Note of caution: Leftover fireworks may detonate. Many activities center around the Plaza de Bolivar. Admission to most events is free.

Copa Colsanitas WTA Tennis Tournament
Held annually in late February, this professional clay-court tournament brings top-quality women's tennis to Bogotá. Started in 1993 as an ITF women's circuit event, the tournament became a Sanex WTA Tour stop in 1998, the first of its kind in Latin America. The venue, Club Campestre El Rancho has ample free parking for spectators, security services, and a restaurant.
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Link: http://www.culturarecreacionydeporte.gov.co/portal/node/1602

Sports in Bogota

In Bogota, you have your ubiquitous football teams and some other less conventional sports all of which possess their fervent supporters.

For football games you can choose to be a follower of Santa Fe de Bogota or Millionarios. Both teams are struggling presently and are the laughing stock of other cities like Medellin and Cali. Club Los Millonarios (Cra 9 No 70-09) and Club Santa Fe(Calle 64 A No 38 - 08).

Bullfighting is a big deal here, perhaps not on the same scale as in Spain, but at the Plaza de Toros La Santamaria during January and February you will find hordes of people attending the spectacle. Cra 6 No 26-50

This is a great place to play mini golf at a great price. And if you go around 7pm on a Saturday, usually by then the birthday parties are finished but the teens have not yet come out in force. The only problem is the mini golf course area is enclosed. Even in the middle of winter, the space can get a little too warm for comfort, although in the summer time they at least have large fans blowing to help circulate the air.

In addition to mini golf, there is a driving range, a few video games, and a basketball area. There is also a wall of packaged snacks and a refrigerated display with beverages, should you need a little something to nosh on in the middle of play.
Bogota golf & sports center is mainly catered to the golfers in the area and has a very reasonable price for those who wish to hone their golfing skills. For about $12 you can hit a large bucket of balls and be on your merry way.

If golf isn't your thing, they also have an indoor mini golf course - it's not that great or well kept, but it's a decent place to go if you're bored with your friends.They also have batting cages and basketball hoops so if it's winter, you can come here to practice basketball.

Highly recommended for those who are into any of the four sports mentioned above. The employees are very nice and the prices won't empty your wallet either.

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Link: http://www.colombia.com/Futbol/

Restaurants in Bogota

Bogota restaurants:

Bogotá Restaurant Reviews

Bogotá's phone book lists more than 1,000 restaurants, and the best offer first-class service and outstanding Colombian cuisine. The most traditional recipes aim to fill the belly and ward off the cold. Soups, such as ajiaco and puchero (with chicken, pork, beef, potato, yucca, cabbage, corn, and plantain and accompanied by rice and avocado) are common on local menus. Bogotanos like to start the day off with santafereño, a steaming cup of chocolate accompanied by a slab of cheese—you melt the cheese in the chocolate. Lunch is generally served between noon and 2. Restaurants open for dinner around 7, and the more upscale ones stay open until after midnight

“This is a Colombian restaurant offering a good regional menu. It has four outlets situated in different parts of the city: Carrera 11 con Calle 89, Avenida Jimenez, Avenida Pepe Sierra and Centro Internacional. The restaurant was founded 35 years ago and since then has been serving excelent fare, especially Ajiaco with chicken, which is a Bogotano speciality.”

Andres carne de res .
Restaurant in the social atlas.
Calle 3 #11A-66, Bogotá, Colombia
Shortlink: http://dplr.it/eat/nug1
This restaurant has been open since 1984, in Chia, an area on the outskirts of Bogota. Its rural location lends to its authentic flair. Decorated with Colombian ornaments and handicrafts, knick knacks, from old photos to newspaper clippings, religious figurines, mattresses, bells and candles adorn the walls and tables. The waitstaff tends to be made up of students, which obviously helps in giving the restaurant its relaxed, easygoing feel. Andres specializes in grilled meats: T-bone steak, rump steak, steak tartar and Argentinian beef, all served with tortillas and filled tomatoes. The salad bar offers a wonderful range of fresh fruits and vegetables.


Armadillo
Carrera 5 No. 71A-05, Bogota, Colombia
Tel: +57 1 3459992

The name of this restaurant has been inspired from the book 'Gatos, patos, armadillos y otros seres humanos' (Cats, ducks, armadillos and other humans) by the Colombian author German Arciniegas. In this book, Arciniegas compares the armadillo to a fortress. The decor and menu of this restaurant reflect a Californian ambience.

As you would expect from a capital city you can sink your teeth into just about any type of cuisine from Peruvian to Mediterranean to Eastern.

At Tinaja y Tizon (Calle 119 No 6-06) they specialise in grilled meats and typical Colombian dishes of ajiaco (hearty corn and potato based chicken soup) and from 20:00 you can also listen to live music.

For a romantic dinner in a restaurant that doubles as an art gallery and café head to Galeria Arte Klan-Destino (Cra 17 No 39A-00) and gorge on pasta and seafood.

Should you miss home, the décor in Circa Cocina Fusion is decidedly British while the cooking is far from it. Here they mix Mediterranean and Oriental cuisines and you can enjoy innovative cocktails and cool lounge music. Calle 69A 5-09.

It is worth noting you can eat very cheaply in Bogota, just look outside for the offers of the day. These will normally be three course meals consisting of a soup, main course and pudding with a juice included and will certainly not leave you out of pocket as the price for such promotions ranges from COP4,000 to roughly 8,000

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Link: ( sapnish)
*Andres Carne de Res: http://www.andrescarnederes.com/
*Armadillo:http://www.bogotamiciudad.com/Directorio/Detalles.aspx?BMC=134694
*At Tinaja y Tizon: http://www.planb.com.co/sitio-restaurantes/tinaja-tizon/283.aspx

Concerts in Bogota

U.S. band The Killers will be presented in Bogotá on 15 November at Parque Jaime Duque. Although the place of the presentation leaves much to be desired, is excellent news for fans of rock because The Killers are a band that is now considered one of the most important in the world and is in their commercial peak. The ticket for The Killers in Bogota will sell well in 2 stages: Until August 16 (or while supplies last): Platinum: $ 240,000 Preferred: $ 135,000 from 17 August to 15 November (or until stocks last): Platinum: $ 270,000, Preferred: $ 160,000 Prices do not include the additional fee charged by the dispensing of tickets.
Unconfirmed rumors say internationally renowned bands like Coldplay and the Killers will perform in Bogota before the end of this year and that promoters are doing their best to get Metallica to include Colombia's capital in their upcoming tour.

According to Colombian music magazine Shock, concert organizer Evenpro says it is busy trying to get U.S. rock gods Metallica to visit Colombia for the second time to promote their upcoming cd Death Magnetic.

The same magazine reports that it is 97% certain that alternative rockers The Killers will be performing their latest album, Day and Age, in Colombia's capital. The band's website has not announced a Colombian gig yet though.

British rockers Coldplay are also close to confirming a show in Bogota, the magazine reports. If all goes well, this gig will be taking place sometime the end of this year.

Bad rock news is that AC/DC was confirmed NOT to play in Bogota. Their shows in South America will be in Brazil and Argentina only.

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Link: http://www.lastfm.es/event/1143786+The+Killers+en+Colombia

Destination in Bogota

The destination in Bogota can be :
•The Luis Angel Arango Library, the most important in the region which receives well over 6 million visitors a year
•The Colombian National Museum, one of the oldest in the Americas dating back to 1823
•The Ibero-American Theater Festival, largest of its kind in the world, receives 2 million attendees enjoying over 450 performances across theaters and off the street
•The Bogota Philharmonic is the most important symphony orchestra in Colombia, counting over 100 musicians and 140 performances a year
•The Cristobal Colon Theater, the Country's oldest Opera House, which opened in 1892 is home to the National Symphony Association's major act, the National Symphony Orchestra of Colombia
•Rock al Parque or Rock at the Park, the most important open air rock music festival in Latin America. Recurring annually, its rallying power gathers over 320,000 music fans who can enjoy over 60 band performances for free during three days a year. The series have been so successful during its 15 years of operation that the city has replicated the initiative for other music genres, resulting in other recent festivals like Salsa at the Park, Hip Hop at the Park, Ballet at the Park, Opera at the Park, and Jazz at the Park.
•"Simón Bolívar Metropolitan Park" is a large park regularly used to stage free concerts (such as the annual Rock al Parque, a festival in which new and popular Latin rock bands play free of charge). Kites are flown in the park.
•The public Parque Nacional (National Park)has many trees and green spaces, ponds, games for children, many foot and bicycle paths, and venues for entertainment such as public screenings of movies and concerts and events organized by the Council of Bogotá. It is located between two main streets, the Circunvalar Avenue and the 7th Avenue.
•The Bogotá Botanical Garden (Jardín Botánico de Bogotá).
•The Children's Museum of Bogotá (Museo de los Niños), is a science, technology and art interactive museum specialized in attending children and youngsters ages 2 to 19.
•"Parque de la 93" is located between 93rd and 93Ath street, and 12th and 13th avenue, and has day-time leisure activities and nightlife. Several of the top restaurants and bars in the city are in this park.
•There are restaurants and bars in the vicinity of a T-shaped pedestrian strip dubbed "La T" (The T) at the corner of 82nd street and Cra.12. More recently, restaurant activity has begun in the "Zona G" (Gourmet Zone) in and around 67th and 70th Streets and other locations including Usaquen in the north-east and La Macarena (downtown).
•Mundo Aventura is an amusement park, with an entry charge and charges for the different attractions. It has rides for adults and children, a petting zoo, and the "cerdodromo", where pigs race.
•"Salitre Mágico" is another amusement park with rides and attractions. The park is near the well-known Simón Bolívar park, where concerts are held throughout the year.
•Parque del Chicó has trees, gardens, artificial creeks and ponds, and a colonial style house converted into a museum.
•To the north Parque Jaime Duque has rides, a giant map of Colombia, popular exhibits, a zoo, and a big hand holding the world symbolizing God. There is a reproduction of the Taj Mahal in the park with a collection of reproductions of famous paintings. The park is also used for large concerts, mainly electronic music ones.
•Maloka is an interactive museum of sciences.
•Tourist train, on weekends a sightseeing train, popular with Bogotá residents, runs to outlying towns Zipaquirá, Cajicá and Nemocón along the lines of the former Bogotá Savannah Railway. The route to Zipaquirá (famous for its salt cathedral) is 53 km long. Another line goes towards the north for 47 km and ends at Briceño.

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Link: http://english.bogotaturismo.gov.co/

Culture in Bogota

Bogota is host to endless cultural venues and acts across 58 museums, 62 art galleries, 33 library networks, 45 stage theatres, 75 sports and attraction parks, and over 150 national monuments

Bogota has worked heavily in recent years to position itself as leader in cultural offerings in South America, and it is increasingly being worldwide recognized as a hub in the region for the development of the arts

Product of such work and recognition is the recent series of awards that Bogota counts on its favor: in 2007 it was named World Book Capital by UNESCO, topping other nominees for said year such as Dublin, Amsterdam and Vienna.Bogota is effectively the first Latin American city to receive this recognition, and the second one in the whole Americas after Montreal. The same year, Bogota was awarded the title of Cultural Capital of Ibero-America by the UCCI (Union of Capital Cities in Ibero-America), and it became the only city to have received the recognition twice, after being awarded for the first time in 1991.

Bogotá is known for its vibrant night life. It has a wide variety of restaurants, bars, clubs and cultural activities to please anyone's preference. There are numerous zones including the T, Parque de la 93, Candelaria, Usaquen, Avenida Primero de Mayo and Zona G among others. Places range from fine cuisine from all over the world to night clubs that offer different types of music. There is a curfew for most night places at 3:00am although some clubs still operate after hours.

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Link:

english.bogotaturismo.gov.co/customs/arts/plastics.php

Theatres in Bogota

Theatre “Cristóbal Colon”

To act is another form culture and art. Acting, you can experiment, how people is feeling, on the role-play as well around you. Or feeling the notes of music on your blood .One of the most important theatres on Colombia is the cristobal colon. There are many forms to sprit Colombian culture, there are programs were little children’s up to older people. Also is important to know that all the people can participate and be active on these role- play or music shows.

Also there are like music shows with roles-plays at the time, which are with also with electronics arts, excellent to show up to the teens. There you can feel the sensations, and how the song is expressed by the author.

Finally, there are many guides that can show you from the doors of the theatre to the darkest hiding places there. Can be tours for people of all ages.

There are making up a restoration, because it had already one century, an because it is so important to Bogota, it will be restoration more beautiful but with the same structure that it had by years

http://www.bogota-dc.com/eventos/teatro/colon.html
http://www1.mincultura.gov.co/nuevo/teatro_colon/quienes_somos.php

Art in Bogota

ArtBo International fair of Arts of Bogota: 21 on October 26, 2009, it has been making up in a commercial place for Art and industries of South America. This activity of ArtBo make’s people comes to Bogota, with good options and expectations. It makes people to know another way to see the world around them. Also, when you see art, you can meet the inside part of the artist who did it.
It is visited every year like form more tan 15. 000 people, and is a big gallery with a big importance on a national and an international way. There are on many places like on Japan! USA! Spain, Argentina! Many on all round the world, and it is In Colombia! It is very important for Colombia; there are many people who went with their “art”. There are more than 280 young artist paints there.
Now, they think to offer many forms of art, like photography, sculpture, performance, videos etc. Those are manifestations of their mind. A form to express human mind on a beautiful way. There will be a big place, with so many thoughts, buyers, observers, tourist etc, and they would know the new of art. No only Latin-American art, also international art!
Also you can find information in

For more information:
http://www.artboonline.com/2006-eng.html
http://www.eventseye.com/fairs/f-artbo-11220-1.html

History..

The city in central Colombia, is the country's capital, located at an elevation of about 2,650 m. / 8,660 ft. on a mountain rimmed plateau high in the Cordillera Oriental of the Andes Mountains. This gives it constant spring like weather. It lies only 4°36' north of the equator.

Bogotá was founded on the 6th of August 1538 by the Spanish conquistador Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada who fough the Chibcha Indians near the site of the populous tribe center called Bacatá. The new city became the vice-regal capital of New Granada in 1717. It was captured by Simón Bolívar in 1819 and was the capital of the independent nation of Great Colombia (which included modern day Colombia, Ecuador, Panama, and Venezuela). It became the capital of New Granada (later renamed Colombia) in 1830 when Great Colombia was dissolved.

The city grew slowly because cachacos (People from Bogota) wished to preserve their old culture. They prided themselves on speaking the purest Spanish in the New World. The city expanded rapidly after 1940 as large numbers of rural Colombians migrated there in search of greater economic opportunities. It is sometimes called the Athens of South America. Bogotá is now Colombia's largest financial, political, and cultural center. The National University of Colombia and many other universities located there make Bogotá the nation's chief educational center.


Today Bogotá is a cosmopolitan city in continuous expansion. It is one of the fastest growing metropolitan areas, not only in Colombia, but also in South America. Its almost 6 million inhabitants include a multitude of immigrants from all over the world, which makes the capital a true microcosm of the nation. Modern highrises and skyscrapers contrast with old houses of colonial and republican architecture. Bogotá offers residents and visitors everything that a modem city can give. Cultural activities abound and its enormous selection of restaurants, bars and nightclubs offers all kinds of food and entertainment.

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Link: www.applet-magic.com/colombia.htm

Economics in Bogota

Bogotá is Colombia's largest economic center (followed by Medellín, Cali and Barranquilla)(These is because Bogota is Colombia Capital, where bussines is), and one of the most important in Latin America. Its GDP of US$86 billion, almost a quarter of Colombia's total, approximately 10,000 USD per capita,[20] is the fifth highest among cities in South America. Most companies in Colombia have their headquarters in Bogotá (for example, Bavaria, Avianca), it is the site of Colombia's main stock exchange. Bogotá is also a major center for the import and export of goods for Colombia and the Andean Community in Latin America.

Bogotá is the centre of Colombian business, and the city's industrial base include staples of the Colombian economy such as GM Colmotores, Compañía Colombiana Automotriz, and Ecopetrol. Other important industries include financial services, especially banking. Bogotá is the headquarters of major commercial banks, and of the Banco de la República, Colombia's central bank. Bogotá is a centre of printing and publishing, as well as of the national telecommunications network and has the biggest industrial facilities in the country. Bogotá also houses the central governmental institutions and military headquarters, which represent another major component of the city's economy.

The city is also a major convention destination with major convention centres including Centro Ferial de Convenciones Corferias, Centro de Convenciones y Eventos Cafam, Centro de Convenciones Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada, among others.

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Link:

For basic information about economy n' government: www.ecotet.com/visitcolombia/economy.htm

www.loc.gov/rr/international/hispanic/colombia/resources/colombia-general.htm

Politics in Bogota

Bogotá is the capital of the Republic of Colombia, and houses the national legislature, the Supreme Court of Justice, and the center of the executive administration as well as the residence of the President of the Republic. The Principal Mayor and District Council are responsible for city administration. In 2007Samuel Moreno Rojas was elected Mayor for the period 2008-2011.
But people isnt satisfied with this his period. He isnt doing nothing for oura city, and people is serching for a revocatory. This one of the forms peopple form Colombia can participate.!

The city divided into 20 localities: Usaquén, Chapinero, Santa Fe, San Cristóbal, Usme, Tunjuelito, Bosa, Kennedy, Fontibón, Engativá, Suba, Barrios Unidos, Teusaquillo, Los Mártires, Antonio Nariño, Puente Aranda, La Candelaria, Rafael Uribe Uribe, Ciudad Bolívar, Sumapaz.

Each of the 20 localities is governed by an administrative board elected by popular vote, made up of no fewer than seven members. The Principal Mayor designates local mayors from candidates nominated by the respective administrative board.

If you need to know more about government of Colombia, go to its web page:
http://web.presidencia.gov.co/