Neiva, Huila
| Neiva | |||
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| — City — | |||
| Municipio de Neiva | |||
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| Nickname(s): "Bambuco's Capital" | |||
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  Neiva
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| Coordinates: | |||
| Country |  Colombia |
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| Region | Andean | ||
| Department | Huila | ||
| Foundation | May 24, 1612 | ||
| Government | |||
| - Mayor | Héctor Aníbal Ramírez | ||
| Elevation | 442 m (1,450 ft) | ||
| Population (2005-2006 Census) | |||
| - Total | 372,859 | ||
| - Density | 230/km2 (595.7/sq mi) | ||
| Time zone | Eastern Time Zone (UTC-05) | ||
| Website | alcaldianeiva.gov.co | ||
Neiva is the Capital of the Department of Huila. It is located in the valley of the Magdalena River in south central Colombia with a population of about 378,857 inhabitants. It is one of the most important cities in Southern Colombia, mainly because of its strategic geographical location.
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History
Neiva was first founded in 1539 by don Juan de Cabrera in an area now belonging to the municipality of Campoalegre. In 1550, don Juan de Alonso y Arias moved the city to the place that is now the municipality of Villavieja. At this location, the city was destroyed by indiginous tribes in 1560.The city was founded for the third and final time in 1612 by Diego de Ospina y Medinilla in the actual location.
Neiva got very important during the colonial times because of its strategic location. It was located in the trade route that communicated the Viceroyalty of Peru with Bogotá and Caracas. The city was declared as the capital of the Province of Neiva, made up of the Neiva, La Plata, Timana, Purificación cabildos.In 1905 the city was declared as the capital of the Huila department which replaced the Province of Neiva.
In 1967, the city was hit severely by an earthquake of magnitude 7.2. The earthquake destroyed several buildings including the Palacio de las 57 ventanas, the Governor's building.
Geography and climate
Due to its location near the equator and its low altitude, the city has a hot annual average climate with daytime temperatures ranging from 89 to 102 degrees Fahrenheit.It is about 300 kilometers / 186.4 miles (about a five-hour drive) from the Colombian capital, Bogotá.
The city of Palembang in Indonesia is the antipode of Neiva.
Tourist attractions
Throughout the city a tourist might enjoy the scattered city monuments, especially around the edges of the Magdalena River, where the local government has been maintaining the recently built sanctuary meant to safeguard the Magdalena from any pollutants and human produced contamination. Around this sanctuary there are parks and gardens usually crowded by locals and tourists who came to the growing city. The city can be reached by road travel, or by all major national airlines, coming to the Benito Salas Airport.
Education
Neiva is home to several universities which serve primarily the southern-colombia area. Among the most important are the South Colombian University (Spanish: Universidad Surcolombiana), the Corporación Universitaria del Huila and the Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia.
Transport
Air Transportation
The Benito Salas Airport named after Benito Salas Vargas is located inside the city and serves domestic destinations.
Culture
The city is known as the Bambuco capital.
Festivals and events
This city is known for the Festival Folclórico y Reinado Nacional del Bambuco festivities held between the last two weeks of June and early July. During this time, there are daily parades through the downtown area and showings of the Sanjuanero, a folk dance, where the participants dress in a typical costumes and compete for being the best performers of the Sanjuanero choreography.
Sports
Football is currently the most popular sport in the city. The city is the base for the Atlético Huila club which competes in the top division of the Colombian professional football (soccer) league. The games are played at the Guillermo Plazas Alcid Stadium.
Basketball had historically a high popularity, although it has decreased in recent years. The cities Basketball games are played at the Coliseo Álvaro Sánchez Silva court.
The city has host important national and international sport events. For example:
- XI National Games of Colombia 1980
- Juvenile Finswimming World Championship 2008
- South American Basketball Championship 2010
The city will also host the 2011 CMAS World Games.
Gallery
 Catedral de Neiva |
 Panoramica de Neiva |
 Estacion Antigua del Ferrocarril |
 Palacio de los Niños |
External links
- (Spanish) Neiva official website
- (Spanish) La Nación Daily Newspaper from Neiva
- (Spanish) Diario del Huila Daily Newspaper
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