1. BARRANQUILLA
Barranquilla is a city of Colombia, the capital of Atlántico also known as “La
Arenosa”, and “Curramba la bella”. It was named “Barranquilla” because of the
ravines that existed in the adjacent area to the Magdalena River, where the
city began to form. It is a popular city because is one of the most important sea
and river ports in Colombia, and the main commercial, industrial, cultural and
educational Colombian Caribbean Region. Its population
is 1,186,640 people, making it the fourth most populous city after Bogota, Medellin
and Cali. In some years, the city will probably be overcrowded.
The city lies on the main tourist region of Colombia, the main poles of attraction. If
you come here, you might visit some tourist sites like: Bocas de Ceniza and the
Magdalena River (Bocas de Ceniza y el río Magdalena), The pier at
Puerto Colombia (El muelle de Puerto Colombia) and the Barranquilla Zoo (El
zoológico de Barranquilla). The Zoo is a wildlife sanctuary where you will
find colorful flora and native animal species, making emphasis on Colombian
fauna and the protection of endangered species. There you also will see over
500 animals of 140 species, from chickens to elephants or lions, all kinds
of mammals, fish, birds, reptiles, amphibians and primates. In ten years, maybe it
will be the most visited Zoo in Colombia.
If you are interested in shopping or trying delicious food, you should visit the
shopping malls and restaurants down here. But if you want to watch a soccer game
you may go to the “Metropolitan stadium”.
The city is home to one of the most important folk and cultural festivities of
Colombia: the Carnival of Barranquilla, declared Cultural heritage of the nation by
the Colombia Congress in 2001 and and the Oral and Intangible Heritage of
Humanity by UNESCO in 2003. This is one of the most celebrated festivals of
Colombia which begins four days before Ash Wednesday. The major activities of
this event are: Battle of Flowers (Batalla de las Flores), great stop parade (Desfile

2. de la Gran Parada) and the Burial of Joselito Carnival (Entierro de Joselito
Carnaval). The two most characteristic dances of this parade are: “la cumbia” and
“El garabato”. Here you can find ethnic diversity, joy, dance, music and
entertainment. If you come to celebrate the carnival, you will enjoy it and it will be
an excellent experience for sure.
To conclude, if you want to spend a very good time, you should visit Barranquilla,
an interesting and wonderful city. You won’t get bored.