Sincelejo

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Sincelejo
Sincelejo's main plaza
Sincelejo's main plaza
Flag of Sincelejo
Flag
Location of the municipality and city of Sincelejo in the Department of
Location of the municipality and city of Sincelejo in the Department of
Country Flag of Colombia Colombia
Department Sucre
Established October 4, 1535
Government
 - Type Municipality
 - Mayor Jaime Merlano Fernández
Website: www.alcaldiasincelejo.gov.co

Sincelejo is the capital city of the department of Sucre in Colombia.

Contents

[edit] History

Sincelejo was founded with the name San Francisco de Asís de Sincelejo on October 4, 1535, the saint day of Francis of Assisi. It was located on the site of a small indigenous settlement belonging to the amerindian Zenu and turbaco cultures. The village formed part of the encomienda of Alonso Padilla between 1610 and 1640.

In 1776 Sincelejo was refounded by the Spanish captain and engineer, Antonio de la Torre y Miranda.

During the colonial times and the first years of the republic, the region was part of the Cartagena Province. After the independence period it formally became part of the Magdalena Department; and later on, in 1831 became again part of the Cartagena Province. In 1857 became part of the Federal State of Bolivar.

The department of Sucre was created in 1966 and Sincelejo named as its capital.

[edit] Economy

The main economic activity of the municipality of Sincelejo is cattle raising making the city the center of commerce and services for the area. Agriculture is the second way os income; cultivating yucca, ñame (local product), rice, corn, cotton, sorgo and plantain. Industry is little developed, only having small food, drinks and cement companies.

[edit] Geography

The average temperature for the city is of 27°C, and gets 3,200 cubic mm of rain precipitation a year.

[edit] Culture

Traditional music of Sincelejo are "Porro" and fandango (simmiliary to samba to Brazilians). The typical dish of this city is 'mote de queso' which is a soup with cheese. City is known for its 'hamacas' and sombrero vueltiao, which are both made by the native inhabitants. The sombrero vueltiao is also known as a national symbol for Colombia.

The city is the seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Sincelejo.

The Fiesta en Corraleja is celebrated on January 20 each year with various events, including a recently revived bullfight. On January 20, 1980, a combination of overcrowding and panic caused the bullring's wooden bleachers to collapse, killing at 222 persons, although some estimates place the death toll at almost 400.

[edit] Born in Sincelejo

[edit] External links

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Municipalities in Sucre Department
Flag of Sucre