Manizales

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Manizales

View of Manizales skyline.

Flag

Seal

Motto: The city of open doors - World Capital of Coffee

Location of Manizales in the Department of Caldas.

Region

Andean Region (Colombia)

Department

Department of Caldas^*

Foundation

October 12, 1849

Government

- Mayor

Luis Roberto Rivas Montoya

Area

- City

508 km² (196.1 sq mi)

Elevation

2,150 m (7,053.8 ft)

Population (2003)

- City

368,000

Website:
www.alcaldiamanizales.gov.co

Manizales is a city and municipality in central Colombia, capital of Department of Caldas and part of the region of Colombian Coffee-Growers Axis, near the Nevado del Ruiz volcano.

Nowadays the city is the main center for the production of Colombian coffee and an important hub for higher educational institutions.

1 Geography
2 History
3 Hydrography
4 Natural threats
5 Culture
6 Museums
7 Periodic Events
8 Education
9 Economy
10 Sports and Entertainment
11 Tourist Sites
12 Trivia
13 Photo Gallery
14 Links

[edit] Geography

The city of Manizales is described as having "abrupt topography"; it is built in a mountain region with a number of ridgelines and steep slopes. Combined with the seismic instability of the area, this has required architectural adaptations and public works to make the city safer. Even though Manizales has a very difficult topography, there are a lot of coffee plantations in these fertile lands. The city is located in the north of the Colombian Coffee-Growers Axis ("Eje Cafetero"), near the volcano Nevado del Ruiz, at a height of about 2153 meters.

[edit] History

Manizales was founded October 12 1849, in the middle of a civil war between bipartisan followers; Liberals against Conservatives. The city was founded by a group of twenty Antioquians (The Expedition of the 20), which came from Neira and Salamina.

[edit] Hydrography

Cuenca of the Rio Chinchiná and subriver basin of the Guacaica River.

[edit] Natural threats

Earthquakes, slides, and volcanic eruptions

[edit] Culture

The most important cultural events held are the International Theater Festival, which is one of the mayor theater events in Latin-America, the Manizales Jazz Festival which gather Jazz Musicians from all over the world, it's held annually.

The [1] Manizales Fair was born in 1951 with the first centenary of the city. It began with the presentation of grand Bullfights and with typical "Manolas" parade (Spanish parade). Due to its huge welcome by people, more shows and presentations have been brought into the Fair, such as International Coffee Beauty Pageant which toghether with the bullfighthing season turn into the main events of the Fair.

Currently within the Fair you can enjoy activities as: Horseback riding Parades, Typical presentations, "Trovas", other parades, National and International Musicians and Bands, Expositions, and Cultural shows. The Feria de Manizales (Manizales Fair) is the second biggest celebration in the country, after the Barranquilla Carnival.

Catedral de Manizales

[edit] Museums

Gold museum of the Banco de la Republica
Museum of Natural History Universidad de Caldas
Museum of Art Universidad de Caldas
Archaeological Museum Universidad de Caldas
Botanical Garden Universidad de Caldas
Natural Museum of Histories CC
Museum of Science and the Game Universidad Nacional de Colombia

[edit] Periodic Events

Annual Fair of Manizales (Feria de Manizales) [January]
Bullfighting Season of Manizales [January]
International Coffee Beauty Pageant [January]
International Theater Festival [September/October]
Manizales Jazz Festival

[edit] Education

Manizales is an important regional cultural and educational center, The city has a student population of some 30.000 people that attend 6 colleges and universities :

[edit] Economy

Manizales' economy is based on Coffee production and processing, steel and other metal manufactures, car parts manufacturing, food industry and educational services.

[edit] Sports and Entertainment

The city is also known as the home of the football club Once Caldas, the great winner of the 2004 Libertadores Cup, South America's main club competition.