Facatativá, Colombia

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Facatativá, Colombia

Region: Cundinamarca

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Geographic Coordinates: 4.816700, -74.366700

Climate: Facatativá has a tropical climate with distinct wet and dry seasons. The wet season is from April to November, while the dry season is from December to March. Temperatures are relatively constant throughout the year, with an average high of 25-27°C and a low of 10-12°C.

Population: 117133

Language: Spanish

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Facatativá is a charming Colombian town located in the department of Cundinamarca, Approximately 50 kilometers northwest of Bogotá. It is known for its beautiful landscapes, Colonial architecture, And rich cultural heritage. The town has a population of over 100, 000 people and is a popular tourist destination for both locals and foreigners. One of the main attractions in Facatativá is its historic center, Which features numerous colonial-era buildings that have been well-preserved over the years. One such building is the Capilla de la Veracruz, An impressive church that dates back to the 17th century.

Another notable landmark is the Casa de la Cultura Municipal, Which houses various exhibitions and cultural events throughout the year. In addition to its architectural beauty, Facatativá also boasts stunning natural scenery. The town sits at an altitude of approximately 2, 600 meters above sea level and offers breathtaking views of surrounding mountains and valleys. Visitors can hike through nearby forests or take a scenic drive along winding mountain roads to fully appreciate this magnificent landscape.

Facatativá’s economy largely revolves around agriculture; it produces crops such as potatoes, Beans, Corns among others as well as flowers on large scale which are exported worldwide from Bogotá’s airport located nearby. The town also has a thriving textile industry that produces high-quality woolen blankets and ponchos made from locally sourced materials. Another aspect that makes Facatativá unique is its vibrant cultural scene. The town hosts several festivals throughout the year including Carnaval de las Flores (Flower Carnival) during August where flower growers showcase their products while dancers parade through streets wearing colorful costumes made with fresh flowers.

Overall Facatativa provides a perfect blend of history, Culture, Nature making it one of Colombia’s hidden gems worth visiting . With easy access from Bogota by road or train , The trip will be worthwhile not only for tourists but also for locals looking for a weekend getaway.

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1. Parque Principal de Facatativá – This main park is located in the city center and boasts a beautiful fountain and plenty of green spaces.
2. Santuario de Nuestra Señora del Rosario – Built in the 18th century, this Catholic church is known for its stunning architecture and religious significance.
3. Hacienda Coloma – Visitors can learn about traditional Colombian coffee-making methods at this old coffee plantation turned museum.
4. Museo Arqueológico y Paleontológico de Facatativá – This museum showcases pre-Columbian artifacts and fossils found in the region.
5. El Parque Jaime Duque – Located just outside of Facatativá, this theme park features replicas of famous landmarks from around the world such as Taj Mahal and Eiffel Tower along with various rides for visitors to enjoy.
6. Laguna de Tabacal – Visitors can swim or enjoy water sports like kayaking or paddleboarding at this natural lagoon located near Facatativá.
7. Cerro del Viento Ecological Park- This ecological reserve offers hiking trails through forests and hillsides providing spectacular views of the surrounding landscape.
8. La Casona del Tejar- Converted into a cultural center from an old colonial house that hosts art exhibitions, workshops, concerts among other events throughout the year.
9. Mirador Piedra Capira- From here visitors can appreciate some beautiful sunsets over Bogota’s savannah while enjoying panoramic views over Facativa’s countryside.
10. Cerro Quinini- One of many mountains surrounding Facativa where visitors can hike through lush vegetation while enjoying breathtaking views over this region’s landscape.

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• Facatativá, Colombia is known for its agricultural industry, particularly the production of flowers and ornamental plants.
• The town is one of the largest producers of cut flowers in Colombia with exports to countries such as the United States and Europe.
• Other industries in Facatativá include food processing, textiles, and manufacturing.
• The town also has a thriving commercial sector with numerous small businesses and retail stores.

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Noteable History

1. The Battle of Boyacá: This battle was fought near Facatativá in 1819 and was a decisive victory for Simón Bolívar’s army in their quest for independence from Spain.
2. Pedro Nel Ospina: He was a Colombian politician who served as the President of Colombia from 1922 to 1926 and was born in Facatativá.
3. Juan Pablo Montoya: He is a Colombian race car driver who has won numerous championships including the Indianapolis 500, and he was born in Bogotá but raised in Facatativá.
4. The Church of Our Lady of Carmen: This church is one of the most important landmarks in Facatativá and dates back to the early 20th century.
5. The Colombian National Police Academy: This academy is located in Facatativá and serves as a training center for police officers throughout Colombia.
6. Luis Alberto Acosta Castro: He is a Colombian football player who played for several teams including América de Cali, Millonarios FC, Atlético Nacional, Deportivo Cali, Santa Fe, Tolima FC, Unión Magdalena among others; he retired from professional football on December 17th.,2017 after playing his last match with Fortaleza CEIF against Real Santander at Estadio Municipal de Floridablanca (Santander).
7. Santiago Arias Naranjo : He is another football player that comes from this town; Arias has played for teams such as La Equidad Seguros SA , Sporting CP , PSV Eindhoven , Bayer Leverkusen among others; he has also been part of the national team since 2013.

Overall, these events and people have contributed significantly to the history and culture of Facatativá and Colombia as a whole.

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Museums and Things To See

1. Museo Arqueológico de Facatativá: This museum displays the pre-Columbian history of the region, showcasing artifacts from the Muisca culture.
2. Casa de la Cultura: A cultural center that hosts various events and exhibitions throughout the year, including art shows, theater performances, and music concerts.
3. Parque Principal: The main park in Facatativá is an ideal place to relax and people-watch while admiring its several monuments and statues.
4. Iglesia de San José: A historic church with beautiful colonial architecture dating back to the 18th century.
5. Plaza de Mercado: The local market is a vibrant hub of activity where you can find fresh produce, handmade crafts, and traditional Colombian foods.
6. El Puente del Común: Located outside Facatativá, this bridge offers stunning views of the surrounding countryside and is a popular spot for hiking and picnicking.
7. La Cabaña del Principe: A historic building that was once home to an important figure in Colombian history now serves as a museum dedicated to his life and legacy.
8. Parque Ecologico La Florida: This nature reserve is home to various plant and animal species native to Colombia’s Andean region; visitors can hike through the forest or take guided tours with local experts.
9. Hacienda Coloma Coffee Plantation: One of Colombia’s oldest coffee plantations located outside Facatativá offers tours that teach visitors about coffee cultivation history in Colombia as well as how it’s processed today.
10. Piedra Capira Natural Reserve Park: A park located about an hour from Facatativá by car featuring stunning waterfalls, hiking trails through lush forests, birdwatching opportunities, camping areas for overnight stays in nature among other activities for adventure seekers.

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Cultural Events

1. Festival de la Papa (Potato Festival) – This festival celebrates the importance of potatoes in Colombian cuisine and agriculture. It features music, dance, and food stalls.
2. Feria Ganadera (Livestock Fair) – This fair showcases the region’s livestock industry with exhibitions, competitions, and auctions of cattle, horses, and other animals.
3. Fiestas de San Roque (Saint Roque Festival) – This religious festival honors Saint Roque with processions, masses, fireworks displays, and cultural events.
4. Festival del Maíz (Corn Festival) – This festival celebrates corn as a staple crop in Colombian cuisine with food tastings, cooking competitions, music performances and cultural events.
5. Feria del Libro y la Cultura (Book and Culture Fair) – This event promotes reading culture among locals by showcasing books from local authors alongside cultural activities like storytelling sessions or live performances by musicians or dancers.
6. Carnaval de Facatativá (Carnival of Facatativá) – The carnival is held every year in February or March before Ash Wednesday for four days filled with parades of floats adorned with flowers accompanied by dancers dressed up in vibrant costumes to celebrate the city’s rich history through dance performances.
7. Semana Santa (Holy Week) – The Holy Week is celebrated every year during Easter week where locals participate in religious processions that depict the passion of Christ through reenactments on Good Friday along with masses held throughout the week leading up to Easter Sunday celebrations.

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Cuisine

1. Lechona: A traditional dish made with roasted pork stuffed with rice, peas, onions, and spices.
2. Changua: A soup made with milk, water, scallions, and eggs.
3. Arepas: Corn cakes filled with cheese or meat.
4. Sancocho: A hearty soup made with chicken or beef, yucca root, plantains, corn on the cob and other vegetables.
5. El Gran Pollo Gourmet: Known for their delicious grilled chicken dishes.
6. La Brasa Roja: Famous for their rotisserie chicken and sides such as fried plantains and rice.
7. Restaurante La Casona de la Plaza: Offers a variety of Colombian dishes including bandeja paisa (a platter of beans, rice, steak or ground beef).
8. Las Delicias de la Abuela: Serves traditional Colombian breakfasts such as calentado (rice mixed with beans) and hot chocolate accompanied by bread or arepas.
9. La Pampa Parrilla Bar & Grill – Offers a variety of grilled meats such as chorizo sausage and beef ribs along with sides like yucca fries and fried plantains.
10. Los Galenos – Specializes in seafood dishes like ceviche mixto (seafood marinated in citrus juices) served alongside fresh avocado slices.

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Parks and Recreation

1. Parque Principal de Facatativá is a popular destination for both locals and tourists. This park features a large fountain, walking paths, gardens, and benches.
2. Parque Recreacional El Salitre offers various outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, fishing, and swimming in the nearby river.
3. Parque Ecoturístico La Florida is a nature reserve that boasts diverse flora and fauna species. Visitors can enjoy hiking trails or bird watching.
4. Complejo Deportivo Los Alpes is a sports complex with facilities for soccer, basketball, volleyball, tennis courts among others.
5. Piscilago Water Park is situated just outside of Facatativa where visitors can enjoy water slides of all sizes as well as pools for children and adults.
6. Laguna de Suesca is an exquisite lake near Facatativa that provides boating opportunities along with picnic areas around its shores.
7. Cerro del Santísimo located just outside of Facatativá offers stunning views over the city below from its summit.
8. Parapente en Sopó – For adventure seekers looking to explore beautiful mountain scenery near Facatativá town of Sopó offers paragliding adventures.
9. Tour del Café en Zipaquirá – Take a tour through coffee farms near Zipaquirá to learn about the process behind making one of Colombia’s most famous exports.
10. Museo Arqueológico de Zipaquirá – Explore pre-Columbian cultures at this museum featuring artifacts found in the region surrounding Zipaquirá.

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