Pereira, Colombia
4°48′51.40″N 75°41′40.41″W / 4.8142778°N 75.6945583°W
Pereira | |
|---|---|
| Viaduct César Gaviria Trujillo Viaduct César Gaviria Trujillo | |
| Nickname(s): La Querendona, Trasnochadora y Morena | |
| Motto: Pereira con Vida | |
 Location of the city and municipality of Pereira in Risaralda Department. | |
| Country |  Colombia |
| Department | Risaralda |
| Foundation | August 30, 1863 |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Israel Alberto Londoño Londoño |
| Area | |
| • Metro | 628 km2 (242 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 1,411 m (4,629 ft) |
| Population (2005 est.) | |
| • City | 576,329 |
| Time zone | UTC-5 |
| Website | City Official Site |
The city of Pereira is the capital city of the Colombian department of Risaralda. It stands in the center of the western region of the country, located in a small valley that descends from a part of the western Andes mountain chain. Its strategic location in the coffee producing area makes the city an urban center in Colombia, as does its proximity to Bogotá, Cali and Medellín – and to the sea and the biggest airport in the whole area. In 2004 it reported a population of 576,329.
History
The area of Pereira was inhabited, before European colonization, by the fierce Quimbaya tribes. They are famous for their artworks in gold, which are considered among the best productions of pre-Columbian America. The Spanish established their first settlement in the area around the year 1540. The town of Cartago was first founded here by Jorge Robledo and Diego de Mendoza, Spanish conquistadors; it was then moved around 1691 to the place where it is today.
Much later, in 1816, the brothers José Francisco and Manuel Pereira took shelter in the area after the defeat of Simón Bolivar and his patriot army at the battle of Cachirí. Francisco Pereira Martinez wanted to found a city on this ground, which had protected him and his brother from the Spanish. On August 24, 1863, four days after his death, the priest Remigio Antonio Cañarte headed a caravan from Cartago, and founded the City of Pereira six days later (August 30) at the spot in the present "Plaza de Bolivar".
In time, settlers from Antioquia occupied the area and established themselves in the city, which then emerged from the condition of an ambitious village. This is part of the Antioquian expansion which developed much of Colombia. Pereira was especially favored by its economically strategic location, fertile soil, and good weather. The settlers grew large quantities of high-quality coffee in the mineral-rich volcanic soil of the Andes; and it is still the most important crop produced in the area, which is in the center of the "coffee axis" (eje cafetero) region.
Migrants have come to Pereira not only from Antioquia, but from Valle del Cauca, Bogotá, and other major Colombian cities. However, during the economic recession of 1999, and the low-growth years of 2000 and 2001, many Pereirans emigrated to the United States and Spain. Some particular neighborhoods, like the neighborhood called Cuba, are believed to average at least one member of the family living abroad.
Political-Administrative Organization
In urban areas the municipalities in Colombia are divided into communes. Pereira is divided into 19 municipalities, these are Rail, Olympic, San Joaquin, Cuba, coffee, The Bear, Pearl Otún, Consota, the dew, the town, The Garden, San nicolas, Centro, Rio Otún, Boston University , Villavicencio, and East Villasanta, each of these multiple neighborhoods.
In rural municipalities in Colombia are divided into townships. They're part of the villages of Altagracia municipality, Arabia, Caimalito, Cerritos, La Florida, Puerto Caldas, Combia Alta, Combia Baja, La Bella, Estrella-La Palmilla, Morelia, Grandstand. It is the head of the notarial circuit with four notaries; header record circle composed of the municipalities of Apia, Belen de Umbria, Santa Rosa de Cabal and Sanctuary.
Pereira, together with those municipalities in Virginia and the Metropolitan Area Dosquebradas West Center (AMCO).
Economy
The municipality of Pereira has a diversified economy in its economic structure, the primary sector accounts for 5.7% of domestic product, the secondary sector shows a relative weight of 26.2% in the municipality and the tertiary sector is the most representative with magnitudes 68.1%. The GDP Pereira grew 3.7% in 2004, certainly this year was successful where several events revived the economy, as the government's flagship national security <the democrática>, greater fluidity of the financial system, <microcredit >, remittances from compatriots living abroad who have a major impact on consumption, the above together with better prices of oil, coal, nickel, coffee. These developments were reflected in the increase in both supply and demand of goods and services.
Agriculture is diversified city has about 35 types of cultivation of which 70% is under permanent crops, 8% are annual crops and 22% are transients to get bread, but in turn the value added is concentrated in coffee. Livestock activities are gaining importance. The manufacturing industry stands out as the activities of clothing, companies, such as INCOCO, Kosta Azul, Gino Pascalli, Arthur Street, proves it, others like D'Fashion, Footwear Nivia and Boomerang; companies with national presence as a [1], Audipharma Frisby, Busscar, Suzuki, Motorcycles AYCO, or other born in Pereira and Cable Union Publik and the second largest telecommunications company in the country , Media Commerce, are examples of technology companies with national coverage were born in Pereira.
The city has a major logistics hubs such as the Servientrega International Logistics, the new mega Dosquebradas logistics center located in the heart of CBT and the latest in FAST.
Companies like Avesco with the Branch and its processing plant and poultry farms, NESTLE and biscuit factory, logistics center in Alpine, Kimberly Clark Colpapel, Yarn Factory chain (Coats Cadena) Trade is the second employment-generating activity, Pereira has been promoting a rapid process in formal trade, an important part is already in shopping centers (Alcides Arevalo, Novacentro, Pereira Plaza, Plaza Bolivar, Victoria, Unicentro, Alameda Plaza and others ) where there is a wide variety of products and services which can be seen in the short term as successful.
At the same time multinationals like Carrefour are present with a Supermarket, and a small shop Unicentro, Supermarket Success with another, and another of this company under construction in the area of Cuba, Megacentro Home Building Center, Supermarket Alkosto, Hipermrcado Makro.
On the side of the hotels in recent times have been built several establishments located in downtown Pereira, which can be interpreted as an expansion of visitors to the city for different reasons, generating added value in different sectors. Pereira has the first hotel in the Coffee with Five Star, the Abbey Plaza, and the most modern exhibition and convention center in the region, Expofuturo.
The construction goes through a new cycle of expansion, the municipality has implemented and executed major works in civil engineering works which have given a new look to the city, also works facilities and water supply network, gas, and telecommunications, as well as conservation and further development of its road network located in a municipality Pereira competitive with other regions of the country.
The services sector plays a key role in the generation of value added benefits to the population of nearby municipalities, this is due to the location of utilities in urban areas based on their geographical location, on the other hand the rural area is close to the capital which allows an easy flow of trade in goods and services
Climate
Pereira's climate ranges from the following topics: Climate warm 9.9%, 60.7% average weather, cold weather, 11.5%, 17.7% wasteland, its annual average rainfall of 2,750 mm.
This feature shaping climate and soils, also offers a variety of vegetation and landscape, and making possible the municipality of Pereira with one of the richest biodiversity in the nation. However, the city appears as a zone of high seismic vulnerability of soil types that comprise and fault lines that cross. Its average temperature is 22 degrees Celsius.
Geography
The municipal area is 702 km ², bordered on the north by the municipalities of The Virginia, Marseille Dosquebradas in northeast Santa Rosa de Cabal and east by the department of Tolima, south with the departments of Quindío and Valle del Cauca, west with the municipality of Balboa and the department of Valle del Cauca. Pereira is the first urban center in the coffee belt
Pereira is on the central mountains, the valley of the river Otún, and part of the Cauca river valley, Pereira like many Colombian cities, has high areas of difficult access or flat spots or a little steep, the streets of the city made pursuant to the relief of the area, the Avenida case as the river that crosses the river valley Otún, so it has few hills but several ondulcaiones side.
Most of the municipal territory corresponds to the relief of the Cordillera Central. Among the accidents highlight the snowy terrain of Quindio, del Ruiz and Santa Isabel, located on the borders with the departments of Quindio, Caldas and Tolima respectively. It also has other features such as Santa Barbara, also known as the Alto del Nudo. The hydrographic system of the municipality includes the rivers Cauca, Barbas, Old, Otún and Consota, with its many tributaries. It's broken relief, has a variety of climates, thermal levels by presenting the following: warm, 60 km ², middle, 367 km ², cold, 70 km ² and moorland, with 107 km ².
Demographics
The population is believed to be approximately 576,329 inhabitants as of 2005, making it the sixth biggest city in Colombia. Pereira also has a twin city, Dosquebradas, some five minutes drive from the Plaza de Bolivar, which has approximately 200,000 inhabitants. Neighboring cities, Cartago(40 minutes away), La Virginia(40 min), and Santa Rosa de Cabal(60 min.) have another 210,000 inhabitants, for a total of about 986,000, making the area one of the most crowded urban areas in Colombia. Pereira, Dosquebradas and La Virginia comprise the Metropolitan Area. These three cities are connected via a massive transport system of articulated buses called Megabús; which is projected to be expanded later on to Cartago and Santa Rosa de Cabal. The first stage of the system was inaugurated on 21st of August 2006.
Tourism
As far as tourism, from Matecaña City Zoo to the Lake Otún and Nevado de Santa Isabel, all located within the municipality, provide scenarios for activities ranging from sports adventure tourism. Pereira is also known as "night city" for its bars and nightclubs.
In the Matecaña City Zoo you can see many species and travel at train around the park. The planetarium and botanical garden of Pereira Technological University, located in the Technological University of Pereira, are places of cultural and educational interest. The Cathedral of Our Lady of Poverty, is religious architectural heritage of the city and the world. The Cultural Centre "Lucy Tejada, the Museum of Art Pereira, Jaime Mejia Archaeological Museum and the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fatima are sites to visit.
Noah's Farm, located in the recreation center Confamiliar is an eco-park, where you can interact with the animals, fauna and flora of the place and the agricultural life of the region. Right there is a spa with pools, slides and green areas. Other sports venues to be found in the city would be the bowling, and the Olympic Village complex which is composed of Olympic pools, tennis courts, basketball and the velodrome.
The Los Nevados National Natural Park, encompasses a wide strip east of the department of Risaralda, offers a view of the Nevada del Ruiz, Tolima and Santa Isabel and the Laguna del Otun, birthplace of crossing the Rio Otún city of Pereira. The Botanical Garden of Marseille (municipality located 45 minutes from downtown) has an eco-trail, decorated with flora and fauna of the region. projected rapid industrial to fifth place in the country, after Bogotá, Cali, Medellin, Barranquilla and Bucaramanga is currently fifth.
Points of interest
Plaza de Bolívar
Very famous because of the "Bolívar Desnudo" – Naked Bolívar monument. It is located in the main square in the center of the city in front of the cathedral, between 7th and 8th avenues. The area is the focus of commercial and financial activities. The most important activities in the city take place here. You can visit the Bolivar Plaza Mall too.
Viaducto César Gaviria Trujillo
The César Gaviria Trujillo Viaduct is one of the proud symbols of the city along with El Bolívar Desnudo in its main square. Finished in 1998, it is one of the longest cable-stayed bridges in South America. The bridge is named in honor of the 40th president of Colombia, César Gaviria, who was born in Pereira.
The bridge connects Pereira with its neighboring city of Dosquebradas, and provides an important connection for road traffic between the cities of Pereira and Manizales.
Matecaña City Zoo
The city zoo is the largest in Colombia and one of the largest in South America; it is internationally recognized for leading investigations in the preservation of animal life. There is a Natural History Museum inside the zoo.
Education
The city has several schools and universities as the Technological University of Pereira, , which offers undergraduate and graduate courses in more than six hectares of land built and other botanical garden established at the university. Other universities with which account Pereira are the Catholic University People of Risaralda and Free University, the Andean University, the Cooperative University of Colombia, the National University to distance, the University of Santo Tomas, University CEIPA, Antonio Nariño University, the Autonomous University of the Americas.
It also has a number of training institutions to work as the SENA. Also in February 2010 was inaugurated in the commune of coffee the first CEDE (Center for Entrepreneurship and Business Development) of the city where they will make training for micro, a place of Technopark pereira, courses, etc..
List of Schools and Universities of Pereira
Culture
Architecture and Urbanism
Sector reconstruction Gallery of age, is the project of social and economic renewal largest ever in the city. Since the early 80s began to speak in Pereira, the need for measures to the renewal in the area due to the deterioration of this sector. Through the figure of renewal Urban U.S., the town allowed the development of what is now Ciudad Victoria, and offers various public spaces, including the Plaza de Bolívar, located in the streets 19 and 20, between Seventh and eighth races, opposite the Cathedral Our Lady of Poverty is famous for its monuments of the Bolivar Nude. The area is the principal place of business and financial district and a meeting place for its inhabitants.
Lucy Tejada also Cultural Center, located at the site of the central gallery, which houses the Cultural Institute of Pereira, the band of Musicians, Play "Cañarte Remigio Antonio, the City Library, Exhibition Hall and Pereira, host Academy of History, music workshops, drama, dance and trade related cultural theme. Opened in 2005 for the anniversary celebrations of the city.
To achieve a more direct communication between Ciudad Victoria and the industry is Avenue overpass bridge, a bridge that allows two-way connection, both pedestrian and bike lane.
Similarly, the city has a library and exhibition center of the Bank of the Republic and the Museum of Modern Art, the latter with modern exhibition halls and auditorium. Pereira is considered one of the cities with better infrastructure in the country famous Colonial Hotel is one of the most famous attractions
Victoria Ciudad Lineal Park Egoyan is between 14 and 18 streets, with 0.6 ha greenery. Its name comes from the old guard, now underground, Egoyan through the center of the city. Moreover, the Civic Plaza Ciudad Victoria is the place where major events and festivals in the city.
Among the most representative works of the city are:
- Bolivar Nude Rodrigo Arenas Betancur
- Monument to the Founders: Rodrigo Arenas Betancur Carrera 13 con calle 12.
- Prometheus Bound: Rodrigo Arenas Betancur. Universidad Tecnológica de Pereira.
- Christ without the cross: Rodrigo Arenas Betancur. Our Lady of Fatima Church.
- The Rebecca: Larry Mendez. Circunvalar Park Avenue Cardigan.
- Train: Monument of transport. Facing the Transportation Terminal.
- Jorge Eliecer Gaitan: Alexandra Ariza. Jorge Eliecer Gaitan Park, opposite the St. George Hospital.
- The Obelisk: Hernando Hoyos. Calle 17 with Carrera 6.
- Diana of the GAVI and the young of Jar: Presented to Paris and donated by Jorge Roa Martinez.
- General Rafael Uribe Uribe: Franco A. Cano. Parque del Lago.
- The Traveler: Antonio Segui. August 30th Avenue, gazebo Cuba.
Popular culture
In addition, the first settlers created a festival to promote the city, this celebration was made in the anniversary of the city (which conveniently coincided with the harvest), they decided to name it "Harvest Fest" (Fiestas de la cosecha); this festivity was promoted widely across the country, and, eventually became a major one, that generated several phrases that still survive in the lexic of Colombians as: "asi no vamos a llegar a ningún Pereira" (which could be translated as: this way, we're not going to arrive to Pereira, which is used to mean that the actions taken aren't useful to achieve a goal), "hicieron su Agosto" ("they made their August" meaning that someone made a really good deal, due that everyone used to sell all its merchandise at the festivities of the city).
Sports
In the capital of Risaralda, and throughout the country, the most widely practiced sport is football, being the team Deportivo Pereira Premier League, champion in 2000 Tournament of second division.
There are many football schools in this city of which have been released national figures on the foot ball. These schools are: Corviva FC, Patrick House of Culture, College Football John Edison Castaño, Diamond Comfamiliar College Football, College Football Andres Escobar (in honor of Colombian footballer Andrés Escobar, murdered).
In recent years, Pereira has excelled in taking their skaters skating to big competitions nationally and internationally and providing the city wins in tennis, promoting the industry players in both male and female.
As for infrastructure, the city has Estadio Hernán Ramírez Villegas, Velodrome, Patinódromo, Olympic swimming pool and motocross track in a small radius of 10 km, in addition to the Mayor Coliseum, located in front of the race 8TA Flags park, public bowling alley in the area of Julita, made on behalf of the Bolivarian 2005.
Pereira is born this year's first half marathon of the coffee which is expected to become the best sporting event in the region, especially for social inclusion and participation of athletes in wheelchairs.
Religion
Like many Colombian cities prdominante religion is the Catholic Church. But in recent years in the city's Protestant churches have been established, bringing together thousands of people, so taking one of the largest Protestant churches of Colombia
Airport
Sister cities
Barcelona, Spain
Gainesville, Florida
Lisboa, Portugal
Montreal, Canada
Oxford, England- Valencia, Spain
- Palma de Mallorca, Illes Balears
See also
- 1999 Armenia earthquake
- Matecaña International Airport
- César Gaviria Trujillo Viaduct
- Matecaña City Zoo
External links
- Pereira's official website (Spanish).
- Megabús´s official website (Spanish).(Spanish).
- Pereira CidadWiki (Spanish) - Wiki site feed by Pereira's people which purpose is to shelter all about the city.
The most read newspapers in Pereira are La Tarde and El Diario del Otun:
- La Tarde newspaper (Spanish).
- El Diario del Otun (Spanish).
- Pereira (Spanish).
- Universidad Tecnologica (Spanish) - Pereira's leading university, which features a highly regarded engineering school
- Portal of pereira city (Spanish).
