Santa Marta, Colombia
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Top: Panorama view of the Cienaga Grande de Santa Marta, from inside the swamp, 2nd left: View of Mirador in Cabo San Juan del Guia, Tayrona Natural Park, 2nd right: Santa Marta Cathedral (La Casa del Farol), 3rd left: Statue of Simon Bolivar in Quinta of Saint Pedro Alejandrino, 3rd upper middle: Colombian National Pantheon in Barrio Mamatoco, 3rd lower middle: Night view of Santa Marta City Hall, 3rd right: Twilight view of Tribute to the Tayrona Ethnicity Square, Bottom: Panoramic view of Acuatico El Rodadero Park and resort area, from De Gaira area
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| Nickname(s): America's Pearl (La Perla de America) | |||
 Location in the Department of Magdalena. Municipality (dark grey) City (red) |
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 Santa Marta
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| Coordinates: 11°14′31″N 74°12′19″W / 11.24194°N 74.20528°WCoordinates: 11°14′31″N 74°12′19″W / 11.24194°N 74.20528°W | |||
| Country |
 Colombia
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| Region | Caribbean Region | ||
| Department | Magdalena | ||
| Foundation | July 29, 1525 | ||
| Founded by | Rodrigo de Bastidas | ||
| Named for | Martha | ||
| Government | |||
| • Mayor | Rafael Martínez (2016-2019) (Liberal) | ||
| Area | |||
| • City | 2,393.65 km2 (924.07 sq mi) | ||
| • Urban | 55.10 km2 (21.27 sq mi) | ||
| Elevation | 6 m (20 ft) | ||
| Highest elevation | 5,775 m (18,947 ft) | ||
| Population (2010) | |||
| • City | 454,860 | ||
| • Density | 190/km2 (490/sq mi) | ||
| • Urban | 385,122 | ||
| • Urban density | 6,989.5/km2 (18,106.3/sq mi) | ||
| DANE | |||
| Demonym(s) | Samario | ||
| Time zone | Colombia Standard Time (UTC-05) | ||
| Area code(s) | 57 + 5 | ||
| Website | Official website (in Spanish) | ||
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Santa Marta, officially Distrito Turístico, Cultural e Histórico de Santa Marta ("Touristic, Cultural and Historic District of Santa Marta"), is a city in Colombia. It is the capital of the department of Magdalena and fourth largest urban city of the Caribbean Region of Colombia, after Barranquilla, Cartagena, and Soledad. Founded on July 29, 1525, by the Spanish conquistador Rodrigo de Bastidas, it was the first Spanish settlement in Colombia, and is the oldest surviving city in that country, and second oldest in South America. This city is situated on a bay of the same name and as such, is a prime tourist destination.
Before the arrival of Europeans, the South American continent was inhabited by a number of indigenous groups. Due to a combination of tropical weather, significant rainfall, and the destruction and misrepresentation of many records by Spanish conquistadors, our understanding of the peoples of this region is limited.
The Tairona formed mid- to large-size population centers, consisting of stone pathways, terraces, protected waterways, and spaces dedicated to agricultural produce. Their economy was primarily agricultural, cultivating corn, pineapple, yucca, and other local foodstuffs. The Tayrona are considered quite advanced for their time period. Surviving archaeological sites consisted of formed terraces and small scale underground stone channels. They also were known to actively collect and process salt, which was a significant trading commodity. We know that they traded with other indigenous groups along the coast and interior. Archaeological excavations have recovered significant works in pottery, stonework and gold.
Santa Marta’s flag consists of two colours: white and blue. White symbolises peace, in that all are united without restriction. Blue symbolises the sky, the sea, the magic found in the horizon, and the snow-capped Sierra Nevada mountains.
Santa Marta is located on Santa Marta Bay of the Caribbean Sea in the province of Magdalena. It is 992 km from Bogotá and 93 km from Barranquilla. It is bordered to the north and west by the Caribbean and to the south by the municipalities of Aracataca and Ciénaga.
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Wikipedia