Language study abroadBogotá
Language course in Bogotá:
THE METROPOLIS OF COLOMBIA
Bogotá, 2600 metres above sea level in the Andes with over 7 million inhabitants, is Colombia’s largest metropolis, and the fastest growing city in South America. It was founded under the name of Santa Fe by Spanish Conquistadors in the 16th Century. Shortly thereafter, “de Bogotá” derived from the original Indian name “Bacatá” was added so that the official name of the city is actually “Santa Fe de Bogotá”.
CULTURAL CENTRE
Colombia’s capital is a vibrant, modern, cosmopolitan city with valuable historical buildings and squares, many rivers and one of the world’s largest city parks, Simà³n Bolivar Park. Also well worth seeing are the botanical garden and the national park. Bogotá is traditionally an important centre for culture and art in Northern South America. “La Candelaria”, the old town of Bogotá with its historic buildings and squares, is valuable from a historic, cultural and tourism standpoint. Here visitors will find houses from the old colonial era, theatres, restaurants and cafes. Many public buildings and churches are clustered around Plaza Bolivar. The square is the heart of the old city, with a monument to the hero of its war of independence, Simà³n Bolivar, in the centre. The Andean metropolis also boasts 58 museums and 62 galleries. Alongside the national museum, which is housed in a former prison, and the Museo del Arte Colonial, the Museo del Oro, which opened in 1938, is one of the most important. In addition to culture, Bogotá also offers lively nightlife. In “La Zona Rosa” and the “Parque 93” visitors will find many opportunities for drinking, dancing or merely listening to music.
