The etymology of Bogotá originates from the Chibcha word "Bacatá", the name of the capital of the Zipa confederation in the ancient Muisca civilization, which has several notions, notably the one that says it means "the lady of the Andes" ​ and Andes in the Aimara language means "the mountain that lights" or "the mountain that shines" so Bogotá will come to be "the brilliantly flashing mountain lady" and another known meaning would be "fenced off the farm." ​ Spanish chronicler Juan de Castellanos stated that the original voice of bacatá translates "the end of the fields." ​

The area where the city is currently called Muequetá ("farmland or savanna") ​ and the population of zipa (the most important Muisca prince) was Funza ("powerful male"). Precisely in the territory of the current municipality of Funza, suburb of Bogotá, and probably on its side El Cacique, was the head of the population of Bacatá, the most important city of the Muisca people, one of the most advanced indigenous groups that the Spaniards found when they arrived in the Indias; but Prince Muisca was educated in the current municipality of Chia.

Throughout the history of Bogota and its surroundings have been known under different names. The original Muisca name of the place where the Spanish would found the city was Thybzaca or Teusaca, from which Teusaquillo was derived.

In 1538, when the conqueror Gonzalo Jiménez of Quesada founded the city, he named it Our Lady of Hope. However, one year later, in 1539, during the legal foundation of the city, the name is changed to Santafé or Santa Fe.

The name Santafé de Bogotá (or Santa Fe de Bogotá) was not official during the colonial period, but its use became common because of the need to distinguish this Santafé from other cities with the same name, Bogotá being the indigenous name of the region. During this time Bogota was called the current population of Funza.

After independence in 1819, Santa Fe again received the indigenous name of the former Muisca capital: Bogotá (a name that at the time had the current population of Funza and because of it was renamed in such a way). However, Santafé de Bogota was commonly referred to only as Santa Fe, to distinguish it from the current Funza.

The 1991 Constitution indirectly changes the name of the capital to that of Santa Fe de Bogotá. The controversy sparked by this change requires the adoption of a constitutional reform on August 18, 2000, to remove the words "Santa Fe de", leaving the city again under the name of Bogotá, through Legislative Act 1 of the Congress of the Republic. ​

Pre-Columbian period

The "Balsa Muisca" alluding to the legend of El Dorado, a pre-Columbian piece, in the Bogotá Gold Museum.

In areas around Bogotá such as Pubenza, Tocaima, remains of tools have been found whose radiocarbon dating at least 16,000 years ago, just during the ice age. ​ With the end of the glaciation the surrounding of what is now Bogotá began covering themselves with subparamo vegetation until, approximately 120 years ago. 000 years ago, the plateau of Bogotá was left in the high Andean forest area. There is evidence that during that era, game animals such as rabbits, deer, and perhaps mastodon and horses were plentiful in the area. This probably encouraged the incursion of hunting groups into the area. ​ it is estimated that at this time the semi-permanent room of the high plateau started by residents of the Magdalena Valley. ​

For 5,000 years, horticultural, pottery activities have begun to be recorded and the consumption of the curine has begun to be favored over the starving venison. The curí was subsequently domesticated by local residents. ​ in 500 BC, the cultivation of corn and potatoes was already widespread.^{[citation required]} By the year 800 of the present era, the muiscas (the most important indigenous people of the Chibcha family) inhabited the area, as a result of a migration of Chibcha origin, from another territory (probably from Central America), which had been mixed with the previous population.^{[citation required]}

Muisca culture lacked writing, so the chroniclers reconstructed Aboriginal history by collecting the facts through oral accounts dating back to 1470, when Bogotá ruled the zipa Saguanmachica.^{[quote required]} At the summit of the scale of the social organization Muisca was the absolute monarch (Zipa), followed by the religious stratum of sheiks and mohanes. Then there were the warriors or the arrows, followed by the craftsmen, merchants, peasants, etc.^{[required appointment]}

It is believed that the Muiscas were able to practice human sacrifices of young virgins caught in the war or bought from other tribes. But there is no solid or verifiable evidence of this. They also created a very precise calendar and a complex legal structure, known as the "Nemequene Code". On the other hand, the Muisca buildings were erected with perishable materials that prevented them from standing up after the arrival of the European conquerors.^{[requested quote]}

Virreinal period

The Spanish conqueror Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada was the founder of Bogotá.

After arriving with less than 200 men on his expedition from Santa Marta and ending with just 70 after defeating the Muiscas and conquering the Sabana of Bogotá, Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada officiated the "de facto foundation" of the city. The ceremony took place on August 6, 1538, with the construction of twelve buckets and a chapel on the site called Thybzaca (today Teusaquillo). ​ it is assumed that the event occurred in the current Plazoleta del Chorro de Quevedo, although there are no documents to confirm it. ​ On April 22, 1539, Jiménez de The "legal foundation" of Santafé was also carried out in the company of Nicolás Federmann and Sebastián de Belalcázar. ​ Initially called Our Lady of Hope, in the legal foundation he changed his name to Santafé.

The royal ballot of Emperor Charles I elevated Santafé to city status on July 27, 1540. ​ El Cabildo de Santafé had already been established in 1539, and in 1548 the emperor granted him the title of very noble, very loyal and oldest city of the New Kingdom, and by armor, a shield ​ in which a black eagle is on the gold field, with a grenade open in every claw, on the side of some golden bouquets in the blue field.

"Santa Fe de Bocotá, city, has governor." Bogotá, according to Guamán Poma (Nueva Coronica, 1615)

Ever since Jiménez de Quesada named, in 1538, all the territories surrounding Santafé as the New Kingdom of Granada, Santafé was the seat of the government of the Audiencia of the New Kingdom of Granada (created in 1550) and the capital of this, which is dependent on the Viceroyalty of Peru.

From 1717 onwards, the city was the capital of the Viceroyalty of New Granada, hosting the viceroys, after having disputed the virreinal headquarters to Cartagena de Indias. ​ In 1783, Viceroy Antonio Caballero and Góngora created a scientific commission, led by José Celestino Mutis, who began his investigations in the hills of Santafé, the first steps of the vicinity. And then it became known as the Botanical Expedition. ​ Alexander von Humboldt visited Bogotá in the early 19th century, attracted by his cultural and scientific institutions, including the first astronomical observatory in America, which had been promoted by Mutis. ​

Some of the most influential creoles of the Viceroyalty (close to the stature of Policarpa Salavarrieta and Antonio Nariño) inhabited the city, so much of it was there that the independence movement was born, highlighting the events that are known as the "El Florero de Llorente" event, when the brothers Francisco and Antonio Morales began to borrow, to adorn themselves a dinner with a royal official arriving from Spain, a vase of the Spanish merchant José González Llorente, who had a warehouse in the northeastern corner of today's Plaza de Bolívar, being badly rejected by him, which was taken as an excuse to provoke a brawl that ended in riots among the population. This fact marks the beginning of the struggles and the Cry of Independence. Although the territory was retaken by the Spaniards in 1816, finally in 1819 the final independence was obtained after the patriotic victory in the battle of Boyacá.^{[quote required]}

Republican Period

Bogota in 1868.

Colombia in 1864. In red, the Federal District of that time.

Calle Real, today race 7th, in 1869.

Colombia in 1908. In red, the Capital District of that time.

With the assassination of the popular liberal leader Jorge Eliécer Gaitán, El Bogotazo originated.

Central railway station of La Sabana in 1930.

The city became capital of Gran Colombia until 1830, ​ when this state dissolved by starting the states of Ecuador, Venezuela and Colombia (Panama would be separated in 1903). Colombia's history for the rest of that century was a succession of civil wars. The most momentous was the 1000s War, in which the Conservative and Liberal factions bled the country to death between the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century.^{[required quote]}

The Federal District of Bogotá was created on June 23, 1861 ​ to make the city the residence of the federal government of the then United States of Colombia. At that time, the boundaries of the district were the Archbishop and San Francisco rivers (in the north), Fucha (in the south), Bogotá (in the west) and eastern hills (in the east). However, it was abolished in 1864 and its territory returned to the then Sovereign State of Cundinamarca. ​ ​

In 1876, the City Council established the nomenclature and numbering of streets and races by changing the traditional street names to consecutive numbers as they are currently managed. ​ During the existence of the United States of Colombia (1863-1886), Bogotá received the title of Federal Capital and its few neighborhoods were elevated to canton status. In 1889, the first line of the Bogotá Railway was opened from San Victorino to Facatativá, ​ which, by the end of the 19th century, already had more than 100 km of railways allowing, with alalms, to reach different parts of the country and even the Caribbean Sea. In 1884, the mulas tram service (from Plaza de Bolívar to Chapinero) began, and in 1910 the electric tram system began operating, which until the 1940s spread on multiple lines around the city and its vicinity. Together with the train, these means of transport were the pillars of the development of this city, which in 1912 had a population barely over 120,000 inhabitants. ​

Flooding in Bogotá in the 1930s caused by a downpour.

In 1905, Colombia's territorial division was completely reorganized, and the district, named Bogotá's Capital District, was reestablished by Law No. 17 of 11 April. ​ ​ This division was repealed in 1910 and the district ceased to exist that same year, becoming Bogotá again a municipality of Cundinamarca. ​

In the 1920s, the first airport in Latin America was inaugurated in Bogotá and the uninterrupted electricity supply to the city began, with the construction of a power plant in the Salto del Tequendama that is still in operation. From the following decade, the first development projects were carried out on the occasion of the fourth centenary of the founding of the city: urban development complex in the Teusaquillo neighborhood, the University City, the National Park and the Nemesio Camacho El Campín stadium. However, this bloom was stopped after the death of Jorge Eliécer Gaitán on April 9, 1948, which was followed by the destruction and looting of part of the city, in the event known as Bogotazo. One of the consequences was that wealthy families, who had until then largely inhabited the center of the city, gradually moved to other parts of the city like Chapinero and El Chicó, and even to nearby populations like Usaquén and Suba. ​

During the 9th Pan American Conference held in the city in 1948, the Pact of Bogotá was signed that generated the creation of the Organization of American States (OAS). ​ The military dictatorship of the mid-1950s, led by General Gustavo Rojas Pinilla, contributed to the development of the city, thanks to the construction of the new North Highway El Dorado International Airport and the reconstruction of the avenue that linked it to the city center (26th Street) and the International Center, near where the Hotel Tequendama had opened years before. In 1961, the construction of the Ciudad Kennedy neighborhood was developed as part of the "Alliance for Progress," led by the US government.^{[Appointment Required]}

In 1954, Legislative Decree No. 3640 of 17 created the Special District of Bogotá, approved by President Gustavo Rojas Pinilla, which entered into force on 1 January 1955. ​ Ordinance No. 7 of the Administrative Council of Cundinamarca annexed to him were the neighboring municipalities of Bosa Engosa in Cundinamarca, ativá, Fontibón, Suba, Usme and Usaquén, as well as part of the Sumapaz Agricultural Colony. ​ these localities retained some of their former autonomy, until the following years local mayoralties were born, including the farmhouse of Chapinero that was formed as the first minor mayorship of the city, being followed in 1964 by Puente Aranda and 1999 67 by Ciudad Kennedy. Five years later, the district was divided into 16 minor mayors, including the neighboring municipalities. New mayors were the three traditional sectors of the center: Santa Fe, Teusaquillo and Los Mártires; the neighborhoods of the United of the North, Antonio Nariño, San Cristóbal and Tunjuelito, segregated from Usme. In 1977, the minor mayor of La Candelaria was created, and in 1983, due to the chaos generated by the invasions to the south, the government set up the plan Ciudad Bolívar and it became another locality of the city.

The city in the context of the internal armed conflict in Colombia since 1960 has experienced events such as: the seizure of the embassy of the Dominican Republic, the assault on the North Guangdong, the seizure of the Palace of Justice, the attacks on the DAS building and the city perpetrated by drug trafficking, the terrorist attack on the El Nogal Club, the attack on the Police School and murders.

With the Constitution of 1991, the Special District became Capital District, ​ the areas were elevated to localities, dividing the District into 20 localities, including now that of Rafael Uribe Uribe segregated from Antonio Nariño.

Since Antanas Mockus's first term as Mayor in 1994, the city has undergone major changes. ​ TransMilenio transport system has been developed and pedestrian space has been restored, along with the construction of a public library network and a network of motorcycles. In addition to that, the implementation of measures such as the Pico and plaque, the carrot hour and social programs, including the creation of community canteens and the expansion of educational coverage for the low-income population.

Organic status of Bogotá

Territorial formation of Bogotá from 1861, when it was Federal District, until 1954, when the Special District was formed.

Monument to Columbus on Avenida da same name, today Avenida Jiménez in an image from the 1920s, currently located on Calle 26 or Avenida en Dorado.

With the elevation of Bogotá to a first order entity, the political, fiscal and administrative separation of the Cundinamarca department was given. That is why, since the creation of the Special District of Bogotá in 1954 (i.e. when the seven neighboring municipalities are annexed), the now Capital District became an entity outside the territorial jurisdiction of the Cundinamarca department, but remained the seat and thus the capital of the territorial organ. This situation has led to the possibility of establishing another capital for the department. ​

Metropolitan Region

Legislative act 02 of July 22, 2020, of the Congress of the Republic of Colombia, created the Metropolitan Region of Bogotá-Cundinamarca ​ ​ administrative entity of regional associations of special regime, which will have a Regional Council (composed of the Mayor of Bogotá, D.C., the municipal mayors and the governor of Cundinamarca) ​ who will take part decisions on the problems of Bogotá and the municipalities of Cundinamarca that associate themselves with the Metropolitan Region ​ on issues such as transport, however the entities that make up it will maintain their autonomy. ​

Municipal hearings are currently being held virtually in the territories that intend to join the Metropolitan Region, on 27 August the first hearing was held in Funza on 1 September in Madrid, on 3 September in Mosquera, on 8 September in Chia, on 10 September in Cajica, on 15 September in Sopo, on 17 September in Cota On September 22 in La Calera, September 24 in Facatativá, October 1 in Zipaquirá, October 8 in Soacha and October 15 in Fusagasuga. ​

Bogotá is considered by the Colombian Political Constitution as the only capital district that together with the 32 departments make up a total of 33 different and independent administrative units. Bogotá is made up of an urban area and a rural area. ​

Downtown Bogota.

The Council of Bogotá is in charge of political control of the executive, its administrative acts are called "agreements". It is composed of 45 representative councilors from the twenty localities, who are democratically elected every four years; similarly, it has district secretariats (health, mobility, education, etc.) and a department that handles the environmental issue (Technical Administrative Department of the Environment - DAMA) which became the environment secretariat in 2006.

The judiciary in the city consists of different judges and magistrates. As the capital of the country you can find all the jurisdictional hierarchies, as they are at the national level: The Supreme Court of Justice, the Council of State, the Constitutional Court and the High Council of the Judiciary; at the district level, the High Court of Bogotá with its various decision rooms, which are composed of 9 members and divided into four chambers, each sitting with three judges as follows: Civil, Agrarian and Family Decision Chamber, Labor Decision Chamber, Criminal Decision Chamber and Administrative Decision Chamber. Finally, at the basic level are circuit courts and municipal courts in their various specialties (Civil, Penal, Labor, etc.). In addition, the High Court of Bogotá serves as a court for the control of guarantees for those proceedings that are followed by the high officials of the state (for example, the generals) before the Supreme Court of Justice in only one instance.

Mayor

Claudia López Hernández, mayor of Bogotá since January 1, 2020.

The mayor of Bogotá is the head of government and the local administration, legally, judicially and extra judicially representing the city. Because of the number of voters in his constituency, he is considered the second most important post of popular election in the country, ​ ​ after the President of the Republic. The office is democratically elected for a four-year term. In addition, each of the branches of Bogotá, called localities, has a local mayor, appointed by the Mayor, by a letter sent by the Local Administrative Board, and under the supervision of the Local Administrative Board, who are responsible for coordinating the administrative action of the district government in each locality.

The current Mayoress is Claudia López Hernández, elected by popular vote on October 27, 2019. Her term began on January 1, 2020 and will end on December 31, 2023. ​

Concejo

The District Council is the highest administrative political authority, it is responsible for political control of the administration of Bogotá and for issuing rules to promote the integral development of the city and its inhabitants, in fulfillment of the essential purposes of the social rule of law. ​ Currently, it consists of 45 councilors who are democratically elected for a four-year term.

Urban area of Bogotá.

Bogotá is divided into 20 localities and there are more than 1900 neighborhoods in the urban area, except for the rural town of Sumapaz.

Each locality has a Local Administrative Board - JAL - composed of no less than seven or more than eleven members, elected by popular vote for a four-year term that will coincide with the term of the Council of Bogotá.

A JAL performs functions concerning district plans and programs for economic and social development of public works, monitoring and control of the provision of public services in its locality and investments made with resources of the Capital District, in addition to the distribution of the global allocations allocated to them by the district budget and, in general, to ensure compliance with its decisions, to recommend certain measures by the authorities of the Capital District, and to promote citizen participation ...

The localities are:

The localities in turn are subdivided into Zonal Planning Units (ZUs), and these groups several neighborhoods and in the rural part, sidewalks.

Historical Center.

The layout of the roads of Bogotá uses the Cartesian coordinate system, with the north to the left of the maps. The urban route is based on a focal point in a central square, typical of the Spanish settlements; but design gradually becomes more modern in the suburbs.

Track types

[Avenue] Street [Number] [point 1] [BIS] [point 2] [SUR] 

[Avenue] Race [Number] [Point 1] [BIS] [Point 2] [EAST] 

Transversal [Number] [Point 1] [BIS] [Point 2] [EAST] 

Diagonal [Number] [point 1] [BIS] [point 2] [SUR] 

Steering boards

They identify with a dark green plate with white letters and the city shield printed on it. They are located at the top of the building's main door.

Liévano Palace

The generator route gives the location of the estate on the main road: For homes located on streets and diagonals, those located in the western sector will have the number of the track located in the eastern corner of the block, those located in the eastern sector will have the number of the track located in the western corner of the block. For the sites located in races and transverse, those located in the northern sector will have as number the one on the road located in the southern corner of the block, those located in the southern sector will have the number of the track located in the northern corner of the block.

The land number corresponds to the approximate distance in meters from the door to the corner of the generator road, on the streets and diagonals, the odd numbers are on the south side and the pairs on the north, and in the races and across, the odd-numbered are on the west side and the pairs on the east.

Those located in corners indicate in large letters the main track where the plate is located, and in smaller letters, at the bottom of the plate, the generator way. In the case of avenues and highways, the common name appears at the top of the plate. Here are some examples:

• Palacio Liévano, headquarters of the Mayor's Office, is headed by Kr. 8 # 10-65, which means the front door is in race 8, on the western side, about 65 m from the corner of street 10.
• Kennedy local mayor, directs Tv 78K # 41A-04 South, meaning the front door is on transverse 78K, on the eastern side, about 4 m from the corner of 41A South street.

Irregularities

Some major routes have their own names, and even several names in different sectors. For example, Jiménez Avenue in the historic center, takes that name to the east of race 14 (Caracas Avenue), but to the west it is called Colón Avenue.

In the first block south of street 1 and east of race 1, the number plates are numbered 0 followed by the approximate distance number from the corner of street or race 1. Despite this, street "0" is non-existent.

Each area of the city is classified according to the characteristics of the dwellings, the urban environment of the area and the urban context. This is how the city is subdivided into six socio-economic strata, with one being the lowest and six being the highest. This in order to identify areas of action and to distribute the cost of public services; where the highest strata subsidize the lowest and they can access educational or health benefits given stratification. This has allowed the city to quickly identify vulnerable sectors and this is how it has, among other things, managed to guarantee free minimum vital water consumption to strata 1 and 2 (first and only city in Colombia). ​ It is necessary to add that based on the important figure of architectural, cultural, and historical heritage in the city of Bogotá, the patrimonial stratum 1 was created, which provides the benefits mentioned above to the holders of these. land.

Panoramic view of the city.

Map of Bogotá localities.

Chisaca Lagoon in Sumapaz Paramo

Eastern hills.

Bogotá is located on the savanna of the same name, on the Altiplano Cundiboyacense, a flat located on average at 2,630 ​m and its mountainous areas reach 2,400 meters to 3,250 ​ meters, making it the highest megalopolis in the world and the third capital after Quito and La Paz. It has a total area of 1776 km² and an urban area of 307 km². ​ The territory where the city is located was formerly a lake. This is evidenced by the wetlands that cover some unurbanized sectors of Sabana and in the town of Suba. At the arrival of the first conquerors this territory was covered with swamps.

It has in its territory the Paramo of Sumapaz, the largest in the world, located in the village of Sumapaz, to which it gave its name; this paramo is part of the natural and former administrative region of Sumapaz, in the department of Cundinamarca. ​

Bogotá borders the departments of Meta (through Guamal, Cubarral and La Uribe) and Huila (through Colombia) to the south, the municipality of Chía, the river Bogotá to the west, and the municipalities of Cota, Funza, Mosquera, Soacha (urban area), Pasca, San Bernardo, Arbeláez, Cabrera and Venice (rural area) department of Cundinamarca. From the east, it reaches the eastern hills and the municipalities of La Calera, Chipaque, Choachí, Gutiérrez, Ubaque, Une. ​ It is marked by a mountainous system in which Monserrate hills stand out (3152 m s. n. m. of altitude) and Guadeloupe (3250 m s. n. m. of altitude) east of the city. It is connected to Monserrate Hill by cable-car and funicular services.

Its longest river is the river Bogotá, which has been plagued by high levels of pollution for several decades, and thus the city government has led several decontamination projects. ​ Other important rivers in the city are the Tunjuelo River, which runs in the southern part of the city, San Francisco, Fucha, Juan Amarillo or Salitre, which in turn flow into the river Bogotá.

The area in which the city is located, which corresponds to the South American tectonic plate, presents an important seismic activity, with the earthquakes that it has suffered during its history, recorded in 1785, 1827, 1917 and 1948. The latter two, together with several fires, destroyed much of the colonial area of the former affection I did.

In addition, although they are still municipalities in the department of Cundinamarca, the populations of Soacha, Zipaquirá, Facatativá, Chía, Mosquera, Madrid, Funza, Cajicá, Sibaté, Tocancipá, La Calera, Sopó, Tenjo, Gachancipá and Bojaca were considered as part of the metropolitan area of Bogotá in the last national census by DANE in 2005. ​

They are also integrated into their territory (i.e. without tolls), Soacha and Sibaté until arrival at the Tequendama Salto Falls and Santa Cruz Zoo at the Chusaca toll in the southern part. On the north to the Puente del Común bridge at the border with Chia. In the west up to the Siberia toll, absorbing the La Florida Metropolitan Park and part of Cota. In the east is La Calera.

Most of the wetlands in the Bogota region have disappeared. They covered almost 50,000 hectares in the 1960s, compared to only 727 in 2019, a 98% disappearance rate. ​

The city of Bogotá on an unusual ​ day of clear skies.

During the rainy season, storms can generate hailstones.

Bridge over the Fucha River, with wastewater and rain.

According to Köppen's climatic classification the city has the temperate climate Cfb (sometimes considered Csb). Because of its high altitude, Bogota has a mountain climate; due to its low latitude, it has a low thermal oscillation throughout the year. Temperatures regularly range between 5 and 19 °C, with an average of 13 °C per year.

Due to its location near the ecuador, it has only four main seasons: two rainfall and two dry seasons, rainfall is abundant from march to may and from october to november, coinciding almost with the spring and autumn equinoxes of the northern hemisphere, respectively, because the sun crosses the equatorial line and solar radiation is higher, increasing the heat in the jungle and favoring the formation of storms in the cordillerian zone.

By contrast, the driest seasons of the year are January-February and June-August. The fog is the most common hydrometeorite: you have 220 fog days on average per year. ​

Hail fall is an extreme phenomenon of sporadic occurrence, ​ occurs on average three times a year — 231 events have been recorded between 1939 and 2008. ​ Hail storms occur in the afternoon during rainy seasons, ​ when the rapid development of cumulonimbus clouds cells that are related to formation occurs tornado; they also cause a remarkable drop in temperature in the affected areas, sometimes drastic, falling to almost 20 degrees in less than an hour. ​

The warmest month is May with an average temperature of about 14 °C. With averages of 13 °C and a minimum average of 5 °C, January is the coldest month. The rainiest month is October with 106mm precipitation, while January with 29mm is the driest month.^{[appointment required]}

Within the limits of Bogotá, the highest recorded temperature has been 30 °C, and the lowest of -7,1 °C, both records obtained at the meteorological station of Guaymaral Airport. ​

On February 8, 2017, Bogotá recorded a temperature of 25.1 °C, the highest in the city in the last 60 years according to the Institute of Hydrology, Meteorology and Environmental Studies (IDEAM). ​ In February 2020, Bogotá recorded a temperature of -6.3 °C, one of the lowest in the city. the last years according to the Institute of Hydrology, Meteorology and Environmental Studies (IDEAM). ​

Average climate parameters of El Dorado International Airport, Bogotá (1971-2000)
Month	Jan.	Feb.	Sea.	Apr.	May.	Jun.	July.	Aug.	Sep.	Oct.	Nov.	Dec.	Annual
Temp. max. Aps. (°C)	24.9	24.8	24.9	23.2	23.5	23.1	22.4	23.6	23.3	23.6	24.0	23.2	24.9
Temp. max. mean (°C)	19.8	19.9	19.8	19.5	19.2	18.7	18.2	18.6	19.0	19.1	19.3	19.5	19.2
Temp. mean (°C)	13.0	13.4	13.8	14.0	14.0	13.8	13.3	13.3	13.3	13.4	13.4	13.1	13.1
Temp. min. mean (°C)	5.6	6.5	7.6	8.6	8.7	8.3	7.7	7.3	7.1	7.7	7.9	8.3	7.4
Temp. min. Aps. (°C)	-3.0	-6.4	-3.2	0.0	0.7	1.0	0.4	-1.5	-0.2	0.5	-3.0	-6.0	-6.4
Total precipitation (mm)	29	44	66	101	93	54	43	46	72	106	90	52	796
Rainfall Days (≥ )	8	11	14	18	20	18	17	16	16	18	17	12	185
Sun Hours	187	150	144	110	112	112	137	138	121	121	132	166	1,629
Relative humidity (%)	79	80	81	82	81	79	77	77	79	82	83	81	80
Source: Institute of Hydrology, Meteorology and Environmental Studies (IDEAM) ​

Graph of the demographic evolution of Bogotá between 1538 and 2020

Bogotá is the most populated city in Colombia and one of the most populated in Latin America.

Night view of Bogotá from Cerro de Monserrate.

According to figures from the DANE, in 2010 Bogotá had a population of 7 363 782 inhabitants, with a projection in 2017 of 8 080 734 inhabitants, ​ in its metropolitan area of 9 285 331 inhabitants, ​ however, the census carried out in 201 18 had a population for Bogotá of 7 412 566 inhabitants. ​ has a population density of approximately 16 470 inhabitants per square kilometer. ​ 47.8 % of the population are men and 52.2 % women. The city has the lowest illiteracy rate in the country, with 3.4% in the population over 5 years of age.

It is the largest agglomeration of people in the country, exceeding by more than 21% to the second at the national level: all the department of Antioquia including its capital (6 065 846 hab).

Public utilities have a high coverage, 99.4% of houses have electricity service, while 98.6% have water supply and 87.8% telephone communication. ​ In 2013, 10.3% of the population was in poverty, ​ the lowest rate in all administrative divisions of the country, compared to a national average of 30 6 % ​

In Bogotá, as in the rest of the country, the process of accelerated urbanization is not solely due to industrialization, since there are complex political and social reasons such as poverty and violence, which have motivated rural-urban migration throughout the 20th century, determining exponential population growth in urban areas and the establishment of belts of misery in their surroundings.

One example of this is the number of displaced persons who have arrived in Bogotá. According to the Consultancy for Human Rights, Codhes, in the period 1999-2005, more than 260,000 displaced persons arrived in Bogotá, approximately 3.8% of the total population. ​ The localities where the majority of the displaced population are concentrated are: Ciudad Bolívar, Kennedy, Bosa and Usme.

Ethnography

The most recent general census of the nation, conducted by the National Administrative Department of Statistics of Colombia (DANE), presents the following results about the ethnic distribution of the censured population in the city of Bogotá: ​

In this way, it was revealed that 42.7% of the capital's population is mixed, 36.5% are white, 1.5% are Afro-descendants, 0.5% are indigenous, 0.01% are Gypsies and 18.9% are from another ethnic group. ​

Since the colonial period, it has often been said that the native population of Bogotá (Bogotá) is composed of two major groups: rolos and cachachos^{[required appointment]}, being the first descendants of non-native persons from Bogotá and the second, children and grandchildren from bogotanos^{[required appointment}].

Murder rates (left axis) and theft rates (right axis) in Bogota. It shows a clear decrease in homicides, and a significant increase in theft. ​

The city's last rulers have conducted citizen-led campaigns to reduce their crime rates. ​ according to an official district attorney's report, the past ten years have seen an increase from 89.4 violent deaths per 100,000 inhabitants in 1996 to 37.9 in 2005, ​ which represents a reduction of 57,6 %, taking into account that the population increased by more than 25 % over the same period. Of these violent deaths, 62,8 % were recorded as homicides, while 20,5 % were caused by traffic accidents; it is also revealed that 85.1% of the victims were men and 14.9% were women. ​ In 2014, the homicide rate in Bogotá fell further, falling to 16.4 homicides per 100,000 inhabitants per year. ​ This is one of the lowest homicide rate in Colombia and the lowest homicide rate in Bogotá otá in the last 30 years. ​ ​

However, a reverse effect has been detected in terms of theft. The substantial reduction of this scourge in the period 1998-2004, when the common theft in Bogota decreased from 29,591 cases in 1998 to 14,028 in 2004 for a 53 % reduction, has been replaced by a significant increase in 2005 2014, with an increase of 180% in the number of pilferages according to figures of the Bogotá Police, which places the rate of pilferage at a record 356.9 per 100,000 inhabitants per year. ​ ​ ​ Bogota's 2011-20 pilferage increase 15 has negatively affected the public, notably the theft of mobile phones, chartering and attacks on motorcyclists with grills, being especially damaging when victims are also subjected to violent attacks with white weapons or beatings against their physical integrity. ​ ​

The police have responded by increasing their force, ​ ​ adopting surveillance strategies such as the use of ​ drones or mobile apps that facilitate citizen reporting.​ In 2015, cell phone theft has been reduced by 22%, thanks to police operatives and initiatives by the National Government and mobile operators.​ ​

Insecurity

Bogotá has a low level of insecurity compared to the other capitals of Latin America. Localities such as Kennedy, Bosa, Ciudad Bolívar and Mártires are the sectors where high levels of violence are reported. Citizens who feel most insecure are residents of the neighborhoods of the southeast, center, and strata 1 and 2. The population indicates that homicides are related to street robberies, gang presence and drug trafficking. ​ In 2020, in Bogotá, an average of 214 robberies were reported a day, a decrease of 37% compared to the same period of 20 19, ​ to a large extent to the quarantine decreed by the national government as a measure against the coronavirus, ​ ​ however, they rebounded after the end of the measure. ​

In a report by the metropolitan police of Bogotá in 2013, it was reported that the theft surpassed the forecasts in the 24,000 cases, not counting the statistics where people didn't report because of fear or lack of infrastructure at the time of filing a complaint. ​ Street theft has slightly decreased (from 51% to 49%) The same is true of transportation. Public (19% to 17%), however, the theft in commercial establishments doubled (from 8% to 16%) from 2013 to 2014. ​ In the automotive industry, on average, 4 car thefts a day are reported, ​ even from entities like the police, ​ the localities of Kennedy and Usaquén, the authorities are the most vulnerable. they claim that most of the cases are due to the neglect of their owners. ​

The armed conflict in Colombia has made its capital a scene of several terrorist attacks. Since the 1980s, Bogotá has been the target of drug traffickers and illegal armed groups. ​ An act that caused panic among its inhabitants occurred on December 6, 1989, when a bus bomb exploded in front of the building of the Colombian intelligence plant DAS, a fact that left 67 dead and more than 600 injured, attributed to the leader of the late Mettel cartel dellín, Pablo Escobar.

On 7 February 2003, the explosion of a float bomb in a park at Club El Nogal in the north left 36 people dead and more than 200 injured. The attack was recognized by the FARC guerrillas. That same year, a car bomb explodes in front of a shopping mall, killing 6 people and injuring 12. ​

On August 12, 2010, a float bomb was detonated in front of a building complex where, among other companies, Caracol Radio operate. The action left nine people injured. ​

On May 15, 2012, a light bomb exploded on 74th Street with Avenida Caracas, near the financial center.

The attack targeted former Interior Minister Fernando Londoño, who was injured. Two people died. ​

In 2017, on February 19, an explosion in the neighborhood of La Macarena left one policeman dead and 26 injured, among them 24 uniformed members of the Anti-Riot Mobile Squad. The Eln guerrilla claimed responsibility for the attack. ​

On January 17, 2019, a car bomb exploded at the General Santander Police Cadet School located south of the city, killing at least 21 people and injuring 68. ​

Bogotá Financial Center.

Bogotá is the main economic center in Colombia; it is where most capital from other cities converges because it is the focus of the country's trade because of its large population. It is the Colombian city with the largest number of foreign companies, one of the factors that position it as the largest labor market in its country. ​ Bogotá is the largest entrepreneurial platform in Colombia, ​ with 21% of the companies registered in the country, and additionally, in the city there are 67% of the high impact Colombian entrepreneurs, ​

Bancolombia Complex.

Colpatria Tower.

Bogotá is one of the five most attractive Latin American capitals to invest. ​ In Latin America, it ranks 21st relative to GDP per capita. ​ According to The Economist, Bogotá stands out for its economic strength associated with the size of its output and per capita GDP (the highest among the nation's main cities), the facilities for creating businesses And doing business, financial maturity, global enterprise attraction, and the quality of its human capital. ​ is also the sixth city in Ibero-America to organize events, ​ having the highest-volume airport in Latin America and the second largest in people. ​, however, one study considers it one of the worst-reputed capitals in the world below Caracas and New Delhi, although it notes great advances since 2014. ​

It receives investors from all over Colombia and elsewhere in the world. In 2008 the city was ranked as the fourth most influential financial center in Latin America. ​ In 2003-2006, Bogota's commercial GDP (gross domestic product) grew by 10,3 % per annum, representing 25,3 % of the national commercial GDP, in which assets derived from the investment of the other cities of the country in the country are counted This is a city and many multinational companies, ​ being higher than GDP in Uruguay, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Panama, or Bolivia, ​ the unemployment rate is 9.8% and underemployment is 29.7%, the second lowest in the country. Bogotá has been among the top 10 most expensive cities in Latin America for several years, according to research conducted in 2007 in 143 cities around the world by Mercer Human Resource Consulting. ​, however, the cost of living is lower than the average of Latin America's 40 main cities. ​ In addition, Bogotá is projected to be one of the most important business destinations in the world.

Bogotá ranked sixth among 50 cities in Latin America for its standards of quality of life, high potential for doing business, and excellent conditions for professional development, according to the step set by America Economics Intelligence. ​ At the national level, the import of capital goods has been encouraged by the government, benefiting Bogotá, which accounts for 24.4% of the total domestic industry (2004). ​ this is due in part to its geographical location, which makes the city a strategic point in logistical terms, as the transport of goods to other parts of the country is relatively rapid. Likewise, the supply of raw materials for the industrial sector in the city is facilitated, due to its proximity to agricultural regions such as the Eastern Llanos. Because of this, several multinational companies have established their regional operation there in recent decades. However, the distance from ports diminishes the competitive advantages for exporting industrial products. So services (including telecommunications and trade), are gaining share in the industry. ​

In 2005, consumer goods led industrial production, followed by intermediate goods and capital. ​ Of Bogotá's 248,000 companies, 78% are linked to service activities, contributing 76% of employment and 79% of GDP. ​ The localities where the largest number of industrial establishments are concentrated are Puente Aranda, tibón, Kennedy, the Martyrs, Engativá and Barrios Unidos (in that order), ​ which highlights the industrial food, chemical, pharmaceutical, textile, publishing and metallurgical sectors. Also in 2005, the locality with the highest labor productivity was Tunjuelito, followed by Chapinero and Teusaquillo. ​ Bogotá is the country's main tourist destination, ​ which is particularly important given the positive growth of this sector at the national level during recent years. ​ Another industrial sector that has grown is construction, contributing directly to the revival of the economic activity of the capital. ​

The main international trading partner of Bogotá in 2003 was the United States, followed by the European Union. ​ The city mainly exports agricultural products (30 %), chemicals (10 %), textiles (7 %), and imports transport equipment (17 %), machinery except electric (17 %), and electrical machinery (14 %). ​ Bogota also has several commercial areas and a growing number of shopping centers scattered within its territory. The small ones are numerous in the commercial areas of Suba and Fontibón.

Popular economy

Bogotá Chamber of Commerce

The popular economy sector remains an important area of the local economy. According to the Institute for Social Economics (IPES), the city still has 19 district market places ​ located in popular neighborhoods and exert counterweight to the arrival of large areas, thus managing to regulate the food price scheme, contributing to the food security and sovereignty of a metropolis of approximately 7.5 million people.

Street vendors, although controversial because of their occupation of public space, belong to the popular economy sector and remain one of the main axes of job generation and economic dynamics in the city. Faced with these realities, the efforts of the district administration have focused since 2004 on the regulated economic exploitation of public space. ​

North-Quito-South Avenue.

Traffic jam at peak hour at 100th Street altitude with Highway North.

In Bogotá, more than 13 million trips a day are carried out. Most of these trips are carried out by collective (traditional) public transport. The other public transport system is the TransMilenio Metropolitan Mass Transport System. Despite being one of the most populous cities in Latin America, Bogotá does not have a Metro system ​ In private transport, the car and motorcycle play a very important role. The bike lane system (532 kilometers of dedicated bicycle lanes) is one of the most extensive in the Americas. ​ ​ Meanwhile, taxis make about 1.1 million trips a day (see Transportation of Bogotá).

The main land roads leading to the city are the Northern Highway and the North-Quito-Sur highway, which next to Troncal Calle 13, are part of the Pan American Highway in the Simón Bolívar stretch that links it to Caracas, Maracaibo, Quito and Guayaquil. In the West, there is Calle 80, which after the Bridge over the Bogotá River becomes the Medellin-Bogotá Highway. Also in the north, the 7th Road, which after 170th Street is called the North Central Highway and serves as an alternative route for the Northern Highway. In the south-east, Avenida Boyacá, connecting with Avenida Caracas and the Autopista al Llano, connects with the city with the Llanos Orientales. On the other hand, Circunvalar avenue in the eastern hills joins south on the road to Choachí and north on the road to La Calera.

The construction of Western Longitudinal Avenue, a western peripheral road that seeks to decongest traffic within the city, is expected to begin in the coming years. ​

TransMilenio

TransMilenio System in central Bogotá.

The construction of the so-called "TransMilenio" Mass Transport System was initiated in 1998 and became operational in 2000. Composed of articulated vehicles, which also offers "feeding" services to the peripheral districts and metropolitan municipalities. The system has 135 stations across 11 areas, and it is estimated that 1,700,000 people use it daily, making it one of the largest fast-transit bus systems in the world. ​ this network has cycloparking, which has no additional cost.

Metro

Map of first metro line awarded in 2019

For more than 60 years, the Bogota first line construction project has been in debate and postponement. Construction of the first line is expected to begin in 2020 and the first metro line for Bogotá is finally a reality in 2028 as it was awarded to the Chinese company China Harbor Engineering Company Ltd (CHEC) at the end of 2019. According to the current design, it will be a high line with high impact on the city's urban development.

Dual Ecological Bus. Integrated Public Transport System.

RegioTram

RegioTram will be a Tren-Tram typology to provide Bogotá and its environs with a fast, ecological, safe and integrated means of transport in the urban area that provides the user with an alternative transport to existing traditional public transport systems in the form of a regional light meter, which was awarded in 2019 to the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) company and will start operating between 20000 23 and 2024.

In the interurban sections it acts as a commuter train with speeds of up to 100 kilometers per hour and also circulates in the urban area in a tram format, which allows integration into the city's plot and shortens the duration of the journey, by avoiding modal exchanges.

Integrated Public Transport System

Road of SITP in the district of El Chicó.

Bogotá has more than 498 ​ routes from the Integrated Transportation System of Bogotá (SITP) Buses or boutiques are circulating on the road network according to a set of routes established since 2012. Passengers board the bus at specified stations or stations.

Active modes

As an element of recreation, the city has implemented recreational bike lane since the late 1970s during Sundays. In the late 1990s, a network of motorcycle routes (the largest in Latin America) was implemented. Bogotá is a global icon for the promotion of the use of bicycles as an alternative mode of transport. The 532-kilometer network of ​ cyclorteries, the Day Without Car, the Sunday Cyclay, the Night Bicycle that takes place in December, the large number of collectives that promote bicycles, and approximately 450,000 trips made in the city corroborate why Bogotá is an example for the world of sustainable mobility. This is why Bogota is visited by hundreds of people who come to know the infrastructure that exists for cyclists, to participate in events, or to have a bike experience. That has allowed Bogotá to be listed as one of the most biker-friendly cities.

Other

The peak and plaque has generated controversy and worldwide recognition of the city for its policies in favor of public space and pedestrians.

On weekends and public holidays, the railway line is used for the Sabana tourist train in Bogotá. In addition, the Sabana Train from Monday to Friday transports students from universities located in neighboring municipalities to the City of Bogotá, including the Universidad de la Sabana, the El Bosque University, with its headquarters in Chía, and the Nueva Granada Military University.

On Sundays and public holidays, some of the city's main roads are closed to make way for bike lanes, places of sport and recreation where only pedestrians and bicycles can circulate.

Inter-urban transport

Terminal of ground transport in Ciudad Salitre.

Central Terminal

Bogotá currently has a central passenger and cargo terminal located in Western Salitre City, however studies contemplate the location of four terminals at city exits (south, north, east and west), thus creating a system of interurban bus terminals.

South Terminal

It is the first satellite terminal currently in service, located in the village of Bosa on a 22,000 m² site and operates in a first phase in a complementary way as a transit terminal. In 2011, operations and land acquisition were adjusted to operate as terminal source - destination.

North Terminal

It is a satellite terminal, just a few meters from the Portal del Norte del Sistema TransMilenio (North TransMilenio Portal) on the 193 Highway (sector of El Cangrejal), in the locality of Usaquén, it provides its services for the populations of Sabana de Bogotá (which currently stop there) and east of Cundinamarca (accessible through La Calera and Choachí), as well as Boyacá and ander. This terminal became operational in 2018.

Air transport

Bogotá's El Dorado International Airport, is the most important in the country, is the 1st largest passenger cargo in Latin America and the 2nd. With a national and an international pier, in addition to a cargo terminal composed of two docks. This airport handles various national and international destinations. In 1981, an annex terminal called the Air Bridge, administered by the airline Avianca, was opened and a second runway opened in 1998. The CATAM Military Base, reserved for military and government flights, is attached to El Dorado. This complex (International Airport, Air Bridge and CATAM) makes up the airport with the highest volume of cargo and the second in terms of passengers in Latin America only behind the San Pablo-Guarulhos International Airport. ​

El Dorado International Airport.

In 2006, the tender for the 20-year concession of the El Dorado air complex was issued, which seeks to increase its capacity to 16 million passengers, twice the current capacity. The project envisages the demolition of the current building and the construction of a new one. It is estimated that when the terminal is built the passenger flow will increase from 8 million to 16 million. ​ El Dorado will have a second terminal that will be ready in 2017, and will be located around Facatativá and will have an area of 1,300 hectares.^{[appointment required]}

Additionally, in the rural area of Suba, there is the Guaymaral Airport, which allows the landing of small aircraft and handles the metropolitan police air operation.

Children's Clinic Colsubsidy on Sixty-Seven Street.

Bogotá has a network of health service providers attached to the District Health Secretariat; these institutions are grouped into three levels according to the care they provide: the first level has 10 hospitals that provide basic care, general medicine, laboratory tests, emergencies, hospitalization and dentistry; the second level has 7 hospitals, which besides the services of the first one also offer care in basic specialties, optometry and psychology; the third level brings together 5 hospitals, which also provide services of subspecialties such as cardiology, neurology, genetics, dermatology, etc. ​

In addition, the Capital District has 142 health care points distributed in all localities, where services of varying complexity can be accessed. Care in each institution is governed by the guidelines of Act No. 100 of 1993 and its regulatory decrees, which establish the subsidized regime for users. There are currently 22 health care providers (EPS), which have a coverage of 4,963,607 users according to the statistics presented by the Ministry of Social Protection for 30 November 2005. The capital has recently been established as a destination for nationals and foreigners, seeking medical treatment, due to the presence of internationally recognized medical institutions, such as the Clinic nica Barraquer (specializing in Optometry and Ophthalmology) and the Abood-Shaio Foundation, as well as centers for cancer treatment, treatment of neurological diseases and plastic and reconstructive surgery, in addition to the existence of several banks of blood, tissues and stem cells.

The traditional Colegio Mayor of San Bartolomé.

The city has an educational system that covers the primary, secondary and university levels. Due to the constant migration of people to the country's capital, the availability of quotas for access to education offered by the State is often insufficient. The city also has a diverse system of private schools and schools, including bilingual, military, technical, rural, religious communities, as well as different school calendars and study schedules. ​

According to the National Higher Education Information System of the Ministry of Education, the city has a total of 104 higher education institutions, both public and private. ​ Bogotá has the largest university offer in the country, ​ has 450,000 higher education students and 70,000 higher education graduates. ​

In the city is the sixth university inaugurated in the American continent: the Santo Tomás University, founded on June 13, 1580 by the Order of the Papal in Rome and called the "First University Minister of Colombia".

Additionally, Bogotá has 9 of the best universities in the country according to the Ministry of National Education, ​ all with high quality accreditation from the National Accreditation Council (CNA), these are: ​ the National University of Colombia, the University of the Andes, the Pontifical Javeriana University, the National Pedagogical University, the University of La Salle, the University of Rosario, the University Jorge Tadeo Lozano, El Bosque University, the Universidad Externado de Colombia and the Universidad Santo Tomás.

Other universities such as the EAN University, the Free University, the Universidad La Gran Colombia, the Universidad Militar Nueva Granada, the Catholic University of Colombia, the Colombian School of Engineering, the University of Applied and Environmental Sciences, the University of San Buenaventura, the Universidad Antonio Nariño, the Universidad Sergio Arboleda, the Universidad Piloto de Colombia, the University of Colombia ECCI, the Minuto de Dios University Corporation (UNIMINUTO), the Andean Area University Foundation, the National Unified Corporation of Higher Education (CUN), the Cooperative University of Colombia, and the Universidad Colegio Mayor de Cundinamarca.

The city has the Francisco José de Caldas District University, which is the official institution of higher education in the Capital District. It also has the University City of the National University of Colombia, which is the largest university campus in the country and is located in the traditional sector of Teusaquillo. Several private universities are concentrated in the town of La Candelaria.

In the city are the military training institutions for future officers of the National Army of Colombia (Military School of General Cadetes José María Córdova) and the National Police of Colombia (General Santander Police Cadets School), ​ as well as the institution that provides training to the senior officers of all the Colombian military forces (Superior School of War).

• National University

• University of Los Andes

• Javeriana University

• University of Rosario

• External University

• District University

Downtown Bogota

Downtown Bogotá, Avenida Jiménez de Quesada with Carrera Sevastima.

Bogotá has been called "La Atenas Sudamericana", a nickname that was strengthened at the end of the 19th and early 20th century, at the initiative of the Spanish writer Marcelino Menéndez Pelayo, due to his great admiration for Colombian philosophers, among them Rufino José Cuervo and Miguel Antonio Caro. ​ The city has a wide cultural offer that has increased considerably in recent decades, in addition to being the home of important festivals with a wide trajectory and national and international recognition.

It is home to people from all over the country who have been contributing to the old cultural traditions typical of the city. It is noteworthy that UNESCO gave the city the title of World Book Capital in 2007. It was also declared the Ibero-American Capital of Culture that same year. ​ In May 2012, Unesco designated it as "Creative City of Music", as part of the organization's Network of Creative Cities. ​

Echeverry Palace, headquarters of the Ministry of Culture.

The Center for Fair and Exhibition of Corpheres is home to cultural events. This is where the Bogota International Book Fair, Expohandicrafts, and ArtBo (Bogota International Art Fair) take place. In addition, in 2008, Corferias was an important center in the Ibero-American Theater Festival and the venue of the Campus Party. The venue also hosts other events such as the International Fair of Bogotá (Industry and Commerce) that takes place during even years, and in 2009 it also hosted the MTV Awards for Latin America.

The Festivals to the Park are a set of nine events held throughout each year. ​ among these are: Rock Festival to Park (receives over 500,000 attendees in the three days of celebration, one of the largest free rock events in the world.), Jazz Festival to Park, Salsa Festival to Park, and Hip Hop to Park held at Simón Bolívar Metropolitan Park. This park also hosts the inauguration and most important events of the Summer Festival that takes place in various parts of the capital during the month of August. ​

Other notable events include the Festival de la chicha, la vida y la joy (declared an event of cultural interest in Bogotá), ​ the Carnival of Bogotá, which celebrates the city's birthday, and the Festival de Cine Europa, an annual film show. However, one of the most important cultural events in the capital is the Ibero-American Theater Festival, which takes place every two years and is listed as one of the most prestigious in Latin America. ​

Architecture and infrastructure

Victorian architecture in Bogota.

Bogota International Center seen from the Avianca Building.

Bogota is characterized by its architectural contrasts between colonial, modern and republican styles.

Mayor Seminar of Bogotá.

Torres del Parque, icon of the Bogota architecture.

The city has a very varied infrastructure, ranging from the so-called informal settlements, to colonial architecture and to contemporary constructions. The urban morphology and typology of colonial constructions in Bogotá were maintained until, even, the end of the 19th century, long after the independence of Colombia (1810).

The urban route corresponded to the Plano en damero implanted by the Indian Laws since the mid-16th century. This persistence of the colonial configuration is now visible, in part of La Candelaria, the Historical Center of Bogotá.

Also until the end of the 19th century, the two-story colonial houses with central patio, two-water roof, earthenware tile and flown balconies were maintained. In some cases, these balconies were closed with glass during the Republican period, a characteristic that distinguishes in particular the architecture of the sector (e.g., Rafael Pombo's House, etc.).

Republican architecture was the style that prevailed between 1830 and 1930. ​ Although there were attempts to consolidate modern language, only until the construction of the University City or White City for the National University of Colombia (1936-1939), this was achieved. The design of this work was developed by German architect Leopoldo Rother, although other rationalist-minded architects participated in the design of the campus buildings.

In addition to this, art deco works, expressionist and organic architecture were also developed. This last trend was welcomed by Bogotanos architects from the second half of the 20th century, like Rogelio Salmona. ​

In 2006 Bogotá received The Golden Lion Award at the Tenth International Exhibition of Architecture of the Biennale of Venezuela, in recognition of "his efforts towards social inclusion, education, housing and public space especially through innovations in transport." ​

Buildings

Bogotá is home to the highest buildings in the country. The BD Bacatá is a two-tower complex of 67 and 56 floors, 216 m and 167 m high, located in the Fifth race with Nineteen Street. Since April 2015, the tallest of the towers is the tallest building in Colombia. The Torres Atrio complex, two skyscrapers of 268 and 200 meters respectively, is currently being built in the city and await light at the end of 2020 and 2022. The Colpatria Tower was the tallest building in Colombia since its completion in 1979. It has a distinctive night illumination system since 19 98 and has become an icon for the city. In 2001, she was named Cultural Interest Good by the district mayor. The International Trade Center is a skyscraper located in the International Center of Bogotá. With its fifty floors, it was the highest in Colombia and Latin America for two years. The city also plans to build a skyscraper called Forza Tower, which at 457 meters could become the tallest in Latin America and Colombia

Literary activity, libraries and files

Virgilio Barco Library.

Unesco has proclaimed Bogotá as the World Capital of Book 2007, ​ in recognition of the literary activity of the city. Programs such as Book to the Wind, the network of libraries, and the presence of organizations that work in an articulate way to promote books and reading in the city were highlighted. Also, several specific initiatives for the World Book Capital program and the engagement of groups, both public and private, involved in the book sector.

The National Library of Colombia, under the Ministry of Culture, and the Luis Ángel Arango Library, under the Banco de la República, are the two largest public libraries in the city. The first has more than two million copies, with a large fund of old books. The second has almost two million copies. ​ With 45,000 square meters and 10,000 visitors a day, it is one of the most dynamic cultural centers on the continent. The Banco de la República is also owned by the Alfonso Palacio Rudas Library, in the north of the city, with about 50,000 copies. Other major public libraries are: the Library of Congress of Colombia (with 100,000 copies), the Caro and Cuervo Institute (with almost 200,000 copies, the most important Latin American library in Philology and Linguistics), the Library of the Academy of History, the Library of the Academy of Language, the Library of the Colombian Institute of Anthropology and History ICANH and numerous university libraries.

• National Library of Colombia

• Cultural Center Public Library Julio Mario Santo Domingo

• Luis Ángel Arango Library

• El Tunal Library

• Ernesto Guhl Library at the National University of Colombia

• Virgilio Barco Library

• Hemeroteca Nacional Universitaria Carlos Lleras Restrepo

The city also has the Biblored, an institution that manages 16 small libraries and 4 large public libraries (Library Virgilio Barco, Library El Tintal, Library El Tunal and Library Julio Mario Santodomingo). It also has the six offices of the Library Network of the Colsubsidies Family Compensation Fund and, with libraries and documentation centers attached to institutions such as the National Museum of Colombia (specialized in antique books, catalogs and art), the Museum of Modern Art of Bogotá, the French Alliance, the Colombo American Center, etc. Another set of libraries in Bogotá is the new collaborative initiatives between the State, the city and international organizations. This is the case of the Gabriel García Márquez Cultural Center, which was designed on behalf of the Fund of Economic Culture of Mexico, and the Spanish Cultural Center, which will begin to be built with public funds from Bogotá and the Spanish Government at Carrera Tercera con Avenida 19, in the center of Bogotá.

Above the Gold Museum, below the National Museum of Colombia.

In addition to libraries, Bogotá has a set of historical archives, among which is the General Archive of the Nation, which houses nearly 60 million documents, being one of the largest depositaries of primary historical sources in Latin America. Close to its headquarters is the Archive of Bogotá, inaugurated in 2003. Additionally, there are restricted files of consultation due to its specific importance: the Musical Archive of the Primada Cathedral of Bogotá (with thousands of choir books and songs from the colonial period), the Archdiocesan Archive, the Archive of the Conciliar Seminar of Bogotá, the Historical Archive of the National University of Colombia, and the Archive of the Mint of Bogotá, under the Banco de la República.

Museums and galleries

The city has 90 museums ​ ​ and about 70 art galleries, among which stands out the National Museum of Colombia, whose heritage is divided into four collections: art, history, archeology and ethnography; and the Gold Museum, with 35,000 pieces of gold and tombaga, plus 30,000 ceramic, lithic, and textile objects, represents the world's largest collection of pre-Hispanic jewelry.

Also worth mentioning is the Botero Museum, where in addition to 123 works by Fernando Botero, 87 works by international artists can be found; the Museum of Modern Art of Bogotá, which has a collection of graphic arts, industrial design and photography; the Museum of Colonial Art which brings together the most important collection of colonial art in Colombia; and the Gilberto Alzate Avenmalo Foundation, which also carries out activities related to the performing arts, temporarily presents art exhibitions in its rooms.

Among the scientific museums are the Archeological Museum - Casa del Marqués de San Jorge, with about 30,000 pieces of pre-Columbian art; the Institute of Natural Sciences (UN) (governing the Natural History Museum of the National University of Colombia, one of the four largest natural science museums in Latin America); and the Geological Museum of Geomines has a collection specialized in Geology and Paleontology.

Bogotá also has historical museums such as the Jorge Eliécer Gaitán Museum, the Museum of Independence, the Quinta de Bolívar and the Francisco José de Caldas House Museum, as well as the headquarters of Maloka and the Children's Museum of Bogotá that attract a considerable number of visitors, especially among the children's population. Several new museums, such as the Art Deco Museum and the Bogotá Museum, will be added to these centers.

• Museums and galleries in Bogotá
• Botero Museum

• Art Collection of the Bank of the Republic

• Museum of Modern Art of Bogotá

• Museum of Colonial Art of Bogotá

• Leopoldo Rother Museum of Architecture

• Florero House

• Museum - Church of Santa Clara

Parks

Bogotá has a large system of parks that integrate with each other by a set of pedestrian corridors and motorcycles. These are combined with little squares, squares, wetlands and alleys. The city government has more than a thousand urban parks counted, ​ Bogotá has a set of green zones, urban parks, protected areas and special management areas. ​

The Simón Bolívar Metropolitan Park is the most important in the ​ city as it is the largest with about 400 hectares ​ being the "lung of the city". Sports like the Sports Palace, recreational places like the Children's Museum, pedagogic like the Virgilio Barco Library, environmental as constituted by the Jose Celestino Mutis Botanical Garden and tourist as is the Plaza de los Artesanos with its craft fairs.

• Simón Bolívar Metropolitan Park

• Third Millennium Park

• 93 Park

• Santander Park

• Virrey Park

• National Park

Performing arts

Ibero-American Theater Festival.

The city has forty-five theater rooms. The main ones are the Teatro Colón and the theaters of the National Theater in its two venues, La Castellana and 71st Street, as well as the traditional TPB room, the Teatro La Candelaria, the Teatro Camarín del Carmen (more than 400 years old); that was formerly a convent, then a hospital, then a hotel and now a restaurant and theater), the Colsubsididio Theater (private), and a symbol of the city, the revamped Jorge Eliécer Gaitán Theater, the highest performing theater in South America today, located in the 7th race at the International Center, the Greiff's Lion Auditorium located at the National University of Colombia, is the largest auditorium and with the best acoustics in Colombia, where the Bogotá Philharmonic Orchestra and other multiple cultural events are currently presented. You will also find the so-called Open Air Theater, the Media Torta where musical events are also held.

Regarding the seventh art, the metropolis has its own film festival, the Bogotá Film Festival, and numerous theaters, which present as much as the best commercial cinema tapes of the moment, as art cinema, which allows us to appreciate the various productions of European, Asian and Latin American directors.

The main cultural hub of the city is located in the sector of La Candelaria, Historical Center of the city; this one presents a unique concentration of universities and academic centers in South America. The vast majority of the city's major museums are located in the same area; for these and more reasons, for the year 2007 Bogotá was designated as the Ibero-American Capital of Culture.

El Tiempo building located on Jiménez avenue with a 7-year career.

Open TV

The city is home to two regional public channels, Canal Thirteen and Canal Capital and a local private commercial channel called Citytv which can be viewed through DTT. In the city, the three national private channels Canal 1, Caracol Televisión and RCN Television and the two national public channels Canal Institutional and Señal Colombia are broadcast.

TV by subscription

The city has multiple digital satellite TV services such as the one of DIRECTV, the one of Claro and the one of Movistar, and digital cable television offered by Claro, the Tigo de Millicom company, and the HV Television company that offers digital ADSL and GPON (IPTV) network television service, and the analog and digital two-way network (HFC) service, the cable television service of Supercable company, the virtual digital television service offered by the ETB GPON network (IPTV) and small cable television systems distributed by localities.

Radio stations

In Bogotá, all major radio stations in the country and their different stations are established on AM, FM, and on DTT, RDS service is available on 70% of FM stations.

Periodic media

It also has several newspapers including: El Tiempo, El Espectador, Portafolio, El Nuevo Siglo, La República, El Espacio, and the diaries Publimetro and DNA that are free circulation. Among the weekly newspapers is Voz.

ajiaco is the most representative typical dish of Bogotá.

Santafereño chocolate with a pillow, fresh cheese and a bread kite.

In Bogotá you will find typical, international and specialized food restaurants scattered throughout the city. The main sectors of international restaurants are Usaquén, La Macarena, Zona G, La Candelaria and the International Center. In these places it is also easy to find restaurants specialized in gastronomy from other regions of Colombia.

One of the typical dishes of Bogotá is ajiaco santafereño (a soup made with chicken, potato of different varieties), corncobs and guascas (a spice), which is usually accompanied by creme of milk and capers and is accompanied by avocado ​ and creme of curuba. Another typical dish of the capital is the Chiquita marzamorra, which is also consumed in the department of Boyacá. This is a corn soup with meat, pea, beans, often, carvings and minced savannah potatoes that is usually accompanied by rice, roasted meat and salty potatoes.

It is also traditional to eat tamal with chocolate; the Colombian tamal is a corn dough pasta with meat or chicken, chickpea, carrots and condiments, wrapped in banana leaves and steamed cooked. Of course no one can leave Bogotá without tasting from the omnipresent "red" (coffee), to infinite dishes prepared with 100% Colombian coffee.

The main typical desserts of the city are the bows with arequipe, strawberries with cream, dessert of natas, collations and curd with melao. Canelazo is a drink from the Cundiboyacense Altiplano that is prepared with panela water, spirit and cinnamon, and consumed hot.

Nearby you will find pandeyucas, pandehujae and pillows, which are bread rolls of corn flour, consumed with curds or cheese.

La changua is a soup that includes eggs and toast in milk with salt and some spices, it is a traditional breakfast of bogota and cundinamarcan people, who accompany it with bread, chocolate, oats, chicha, masato and garullas, which are typical drinks of the region.

Other typical dishes of the city and its region include pan-pan soup, albondion, and the Mazamorra and Bogotá Puchero, which include savanneras potatoes.

Religion in Bogota (2018)
Catholic (65.9%)      Protestant (23.5%)      None (8.1%)      others (2.5%)

As in the rest of Colombia, the Political Constitution guarantees freedom of belief and worship. This makes religious celebrations common during different times of the year, which have become an important part of the society of Bogotá and have made it a tourist destination for such activities. ​

Since its early years, the city has had a tradition of rooted Catholicism. This religious tradition is illustrated by the number of temples built in the historic center of the city, and the customs associated with it, such as the ascent to the Monserrate and Guadeloupe hills, where Catholic temples are located. The city is also home to the Archdiocese of Bogotá, erected as a diocese on September 11, 1562 and subsequently elevated to an archdiocese on March 22, 1564; ​ its parent church is the Basilica Metropolitan Cathedral of Bogotá and Primada of Colombia. ​ It also houses the headquarters of the Eco Conference Piscopal of Colombia and the Latin American Episcopal Council (CELAM).

Bogotá also hosts other religious movements, among which Protestantism, which has diverse temples in different sectors of the city, stands out as the movement that has grown most in recent years in number of faithful and political strength, ​ in particular, neo-entecostal mega-churches that have emerged in the city since the end of the 20th century. ​ The city also has an important Muslim community which has as a center of congregation the two mosques, the Istanbul Mosque ​ located in the Chapinero neighborhood and the Mosque of Abu Bakr ​ the largest in the city located in the 30th Race with 80th Street; in addition, the muslim community has an islamic center in the center of the city. ​ there are also five synagogues of the jewish religion in the north of the city, ​ an orthodox church located in Chapinero, ​ and four Buddhist centers located also in the north of the city. ​

One of the largest modern religious buildings in the city is the Temple of Bogotá, a congregation center of the Mormon movement, located on 127th Street with the Northern Highway ​

In recent years, the number of people not affiliated with any religious movement, including atheists and agnostics, has begun to become visible and increasing in the city. As a result, secular and non-theistic communities have been created. (e. g. the Association of Atheists and Agnostics of Bogotá). ​

• Cathedral Basilica Metropolitan of Bogotá and Primada of Colombia

• Basilica Metropolitan Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes

• Church The Place Of Its Presence

• Basilica of the Lord of Monserrate

• Mormon Temple of Bogotá

• Abu Bakr Al Siddique Mosque

Nemesio Camacho El Campín Stadium.

The District Institute of Recreation and Sport promotes recreation, sport and the good use of parks in Bogotá. ​

Different sports are practiced professionally and playfully in Bogota. For example, parlor soccer has been declared a symbol sport of Bogotá, as it is the most practiced discipline in the city. ​ Bogotá hosted the first Bolivarian Games held in 1938, of the 2004 National Games, winning the first place with the most gold medals, it was the seat of the Colombian national football team where it obtained the title of the 200 Copa América. 1 and hosted the U-20 World Cup final in 2011.

Football has an important relevance for Bogota. Colombian professional football is a national sports event that attracts significantly the interest of Colombian professional football fans in the city. Thus, two of the five professional clubs, Millonarios and Santa Fe, have an important following base. The two teams play venues at the Nemesio Camacho El Campín Stadium. Other teams in the city are La Equidad, in the First Division; Tigres, Fortaleza and Bogotá F.C. in second Division; the four teams play their local matches at the Metropolitano Stadium in Techo.

The 24 titles won in Colombian professional football (Millonarios 15, Santa Fe 9) make Bogotá the most successful Colombian city, but also the city with the most winning superleagues (3 Santa Fe, Millonarios 1). In addition to being the second most-won Colombian Cups (Millonarios 2, Santa Fe 2 and La Equidad 1) and the second most-won international tournaments in the country: 1 Copa Sudamericana, 1 Copa Suruga Bank (won by Santa Fe), 2 Copa Simón Bolívar (won by Santa Fe and Millonarios) and 1 Copa Merconorte (Millonarios).

As for women's soccer, the three main teams in the city have their women's branches. The city has a league title won by Santa Fe.

In basketball, Bogotá has a stake in the country's professional league, represented by Guerreros de Bogotá and Piratas de Bogotá, both teams play local games at the El Salitre Coliseum.

In Ffútbol Sala, Bogotá is participating with three teams in the Colombian Football League Sala: Saeta Sports Club, Lanús Colombia Sports Club and Condor Sports Club. The Bogota teams have not yet achieved titles in this ​ league. These teams play in the Palacio de los Deportes and Parque Salitre respectively.

In Béisbol, the city had the team of Bogotá Eagles of the Colombian Professional Baseball League during the 2010-2011 season.

At Rugby Bogotá he has his own league, the Rugby Bogota league, in the absence of a national Rugby league. ​

In individual sports, Bogotá participates with its athletes in competitions such as the Round Colombia in Cycling, organizes athletics events such as the Bogota Media Marathon and tennis such as the Bogota WTA Tournament and the late ATP World Tour 250 in Bogota.

Other important sporting venues include the El Campín Covered Coliseum, the Simón Bolívar Aquatic Complex, the Palacio de los Sports and the El Salitre Sports Unit which includes the Velodrome Luis Carlos Galán Sarmiento (headquarters of the 1995 World Cycling Championships on Track), the Diamante El Salitre (baseball stadium), the Coliseo The Salitre (basketball pavilion), Bicicross Mario Soto Track, El Salitre (speed and road track), among others.

Flag

Flag of Bogota.

The flag of Bogotá is made up of a yellow horizontal strip, which occupies the upper half, and a red horizontal strip, which complements the lower part. It was adopted as a symbol of the city in 1952 by decree 555 of the Special District. ​

The flag originates in the insurgency movement against colonial authorities that erupted on July 20, 1810. ​

Shield

Coat of arms of Bogota.

The Bogotá shield was granted by Carlos I of Spain for the territory of the New Kingdom of Granada according to Real Cédula given in Valladolid, Spain, on December 3, 1548. It was formalized and adopted as a symbol of the city by Agreement 31 of 1932. ​

Himno

Bogota's anthem was written by poet Pedro Medina Avenmalo and his music was the work of Roberto Pineda Duque. It was first presented on August 7, 1974 and was made official as an anthem of the city by decree 1000 of the same year. ​

Tree and Insignia Flower

El Nogal, Bogotá's Insignia Tree.

The walnut, Juglans neotropica, was declared the city's flagship tree by district agreement number 069 of 2002. ​

At the initiative of the Council of Bogotá through project 088 of the year 2003, and by agreement number 109 of 29 December 2003, the orchid Odontoglossum luteopurpureum (Lindl.) was adopted as insignia flower of Bogotá, highlighting this species present in the hills near the Bogotá savannah for protection. ​

Slogan

The slogan or mark of the city is "Bogotá: 2,600 meters closer to the stars", adopted by the Council of Bogotá through agreement 446 of 2006. ​

Other

• The symbol of the city is football (futsal), according to Council Agreement 133 of 2004. ​
• The Santa patron of the city is Santa Isabel of Hungary, by consecration of the archdiocese of Bogotá since the end of the 16th century. ​

• Monserrate Sanctuary

• Mint

• La Candelaria (Historical District)

• Theater of Christopher Columbus

• Maloka

• Magic Salitre amusement park

• Jorge Eliécer Gaitán Theater

• Guadua Bridge

Bogotá is known as an international tourist destination, occupying 21st place out of 53 chosen, according to the New York Times.​ It is also the main destination for foreigners visiting Colombia, with 52% of international visitors. ​

Important tourist sites of Bogotá are the Jose Celestino Mutis Botanical Garden, the Gold Museum, Jenny Garzón Bridge, Bolivar's Quinta, the National Observatory, the Planetarium of Bogotá, Maloka, the Botero Museum, Plaza de Bolívar, the viewpoint of the Colpatria Tower as well as the Mirador of La Calera, the Monument of Banderas a Las Americas (next to the station of Banderas de TransMilenio) and La Candelaria, a national heritage and cultural interest. In addition, the city has several different amusement parks like: Magic Out and Adventure World.

In Bogotá, there is a variety of accommodation options ranging from posadas for backpackers to five-star hotels. The hotel offer in the historic center of La Candelaria and its surrounding areas is aimed at a culture and arts-loving public. The hotels located near Ciudad Salitre are aimed at visitors who make short stopovers in Bogota or need the proximity to El Dorado International Airport. The hotels located to the north of the city, however, are focused on business, shopping or pleasure tourism.

The city has the Sabana de Bogotá Tourist Train, which runs on weekends and public holidays from downtown Bogotá to Jaime Duque Park, Zipaquirá and sometimes to Nemocón.

Plaza de Bolívar

Bogotá entered into a twinning agreement with Miami, United States, in 1971, ​ Cádiz, Spain, in 2008 ​ and Chicago in 2009. ​ In 1982, the city signed a twinning agreement for international cooperation with Seoul, South Korea. ​ Bogota is also part of the partnership Union of Ibero-American Capital Cities (UCCI), which brings together 27 cities in Ibero-America. ​

•   Buenos Aires, Argentina
•   La Paz, Bolivia
•   Brasilia, Brazil
•   Seoul, South Korea
•   Santiago, Chile
•   Quito, Ecuador
•   Madrid, Spain
•   Washington, D.C., United States
•   Chicago, United States
•   Miami, United States
•   Athens, Greece
•   Port-au-Prince, Haiti
•   Mexico City, Mexico
•   León, Guanajuato, Mexico ​
•   Ramallah, Palestine ​
•   Panama City, Panama
•   Lima, Peru
•   Lisbon, Portugal
•   London, United Kingdom
•   Istanbul, Turkey ​
•   Caracas, Venezuela

• Portal: Bogota. Content related to Bogotá.
• Wikiproject Bogotá
• Metropolitan Area of Bogotá
• Tourism in Bogota

Predecessor: - -	Ibero-American Capital of Culture 1,991	Successor:   Buenos Aires
Predecessor:   Turin	World Book Capital 2,007	Successor:   Amsterdam
Predecessor:   San José	Ibero-American Capital of Culture 2,007	Successor:   Managua