Introduction
Bogotá is the capital of Colombia and the largest city in the country. It is a hub of history, growth, nature, and Colombian society. Bogotá hosts a number of museums, cathedrals, mountains, lakes, parks, and so much more! Many regard this city as a representative of Colombia’s diverse and varying culture. Not only is Bogotá a manifestation of Colombian culture, it is also an economic focal point within Colombia. Thus, Bogotá has been recognized by many as the “melting pot” of Colombia.
History and Culture
Looking at the history of this expansive city, Bogotá had become the capital of Colombia for strategic purposes. The city is located at a crucial geographic location in the Andean region which allows for connection among all the regions of Bogotá. Before Spanish colonization, Bogotá was a central hub for the indigenous community of the Muisca during 600 C.E. to 1600 C.E.. The Muiscas are an important part of Colombia and that history exists most prominently in Bogotá and the surrounding areas. The legacy of the Muisca are reflected in Bogotá through the preservation of artifacts at museums like the Gold Museum in Bogotá.
Not only does Bogotá highlight the indigenous community that was there before, it also emphasizes the culture that exists now within the city and the country as a whole. Bogotá is regarded as a culturally diverse city with people coming from the regions across Colombia and internationally. It is home to a vibrant selection of art festivals like the International Fair of Art of Bogotá, La Feria del Millón, and many more! Bogotá also maintains one of the best places for coffee and is known for the diverse and rich coffee culture that exists within the sweeping city. It is clear to see that Bogotá is a melting pot of every region within Colombia in culture and history.
Economics
The outstanding city of Bogotá is not limited to being plentiful in culture and history but also in their economy. This growth started from very early times with the Muisca. While in the Bogotá region, they traded salts, emeralds, and cotton. They were proficient in gold work and prospered off of the land. As the Spanish colonized, they used Bogotá to mine their abundance of gold. Now, Bogotá has become a leading contributor to the Colombian economy accounting for 26.7% of the national GDP. Bogotá has become a melting pot of people leading to extreme economic growth that has fueled the country to flourish.
Conclusion
Bogota has people coming from across the Colombian regions for opportunity, culture, education, and so much more! Bogota isn’t just a cog in the machine that allows for Colombia to exist, it is a central piece that accounts for Colombia’s thriving state. Bogota is a melting pot of history, society, culture, and economy that has worked hard to preserve its past and work towards a promising future.
Work Cited
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