One of the most beautiful cities in South America is said to be the Colombian city of Medellín. The Municipio de Medellín or Municipality of Medellín is the second largest city in Colombia with a population of 2.7 million. The metropolitan area encompasses nine other cities with 3.5 million inhabitants, making it the second largest urban sprawl in the country. It is just an hour away by plane from the Colombian capital city of Bogotá.
Medellín is a top economic center of the country. In Colombia, it is the second largest economic region, following Bogotá. The city and the Metro Area of Medellín generate over half of the total GDP of the Department of Antioquia, making Antioquia the second most important economic zone in the country.
The city covers an area measuring 380 square kilometers or 150 square miles, divided into 16 districts or comunas, five townships or corregimientos and 271 barrios. Nestled on the Aburrá Valley on the northerly side of the Andes Range with the Medellín or Porce River cutting across it, the metropolitan area of Medellín is at an elevation of 1,495 meters or nearly 5,000 feet above sea level. This gives the city a cooler climate unlike other cities found along the equator. A typical day in Medellín could have an average temperature of a comfortable 22 °C or 72 °F. Temperatures stay within a low of 15 °C (59 °F) to a high of 30 °C or 86 °F, resulting in a city with spring-like conditions all year round. This is why Medellín is often called “La Ciudad de la Eterna Primavera” or “The City of Eternal Spring.” The city’s climate is described to be a combination of three climate types – tropical rainforest, subtropical highland and tropical monsoon.
There are very slight variations in the city’s temperature due to its location on the equator. The warmest periods in Medellín are in August, September, February and March, when temperatures go over 33 °C or 92 °F. On the other hand, the coolest temperatures have been recorded in June and July, when temperatures have dropped down to just 10 °C or 50 °F. The wettest month is October, with precipitation levels reaching 221 millimeters or 8.7 inches, averaging 25 days of rain. On the other hand, the driest month is January, wherein only 61 millimeters or 2.4 inches of rain are received, resulting in only 12 days of rain throughout the month.
With a history spanning five centuries, Medellín is one of the most interesting cities in South America. It has served as the capital of the Federal State of Antioquia in the 19th century and is the first city in the country to be swept away by the Industrial Revolution. Today, Medellín serves as the capital of Antioquia department.
Spanish is the official language spoken by the people in the city. English is used as a second language, and many signs are written in both English and Spanish. People who need to use the services of a professional language translation provider to translate official documents and other business materials should know that the service is available in the city.
The José María Córdova International Airport located in Rionegro links Medellín to other parts of the world. Flights are readily available to and from Medellín and various cities in Europe, the Caribbean and the United States. For domestic flights, there is the Olaya Herrera, which is the local airport located near the downtown area. Medellín is accessible by land and air but not by water, given its location. Train service is scarce so taking the bus or car is a better option. Once in Medellín, visitors have the option of using the Metro system, inexpensive taxis or the cable car or sky train called the Metrocable. Those walking could also avail of the use of outdoor escalators when visiting the San Javier area. These are free and reach heights equivalent to a 28-story building. However, travelers should avoid staying out late in unfamiliar neighborhoods and always opt for well-lit and secure areas.
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Medellín has long been associated with drug wars, cartels and Pablo Escobar. In the 1990s, Medellín was regarded as the world’s most violent city because of the drug cartels in operation in the city. Pablo Escobar’s Medellín Cartel was at war with other drug organizations like El Cartel del Valle, causing terror among the citizens and led to soaring homicide and kidnapping rates in the city. By the mid-1990s, the cartels were disbanded after the death of Escobar. The city has started to shed off its unsavory image and has taken strides to transform itself into a vibrant city.
As part of its reconstruction efforts, Medellín has been pushing its tourism industry. Medellín’s tourism industry is geared towards business tourism, conferences and medical tourism. The International Center Conventions and Exhibitions, better known as Plaza Mayor of Medellín is the most popular place for large business events and conferences in the city. Hotels are plentiful in the city, catering to discriminating business travelers. The city is also a favorite destination for patients wishing to undergo cosmetic surgery, refractive surgery, heart transplants and heart treatments, as well as cancer treatments due to the high quality of medical treatments available at an affordable cost.
Leisure travelers could also find Medellín to be quite enjoyable. One of the top sites in the city is the Arvi Ecotourism Park. The park covers an area of 20,000 hectares in the village of Santa Elena. It includes many trails, forests, streams and lakes where visitors could go camping, biking, kayaking, trekking, fishing or swimming. It gives visitors a breathtaking view of the city amidst a lush natural backdrop.
Medellín’s water is not only potable, but it is also quite delicious. Foreign vaccinations are also not required before entering the country so there are few health concerns when visiting the city. Because of the city’s altitude, Medellín is also spared from many tropical diseases typical in other countries found in the equator, such as malaria, yellow fever and cholera.
Safety is a concern in Medellín, as in any major city in the world. Though the crime rate has been increasing in the last decade, the city is still much safer compared to the previous two decades. Travelers need to exercise common sense and be vigilant about their safety in order to have a safe, pleasant and enjoyable time in Medellín.
A good safety precaution is to exercise basic safety protocol, such as locking your travel documents in the hotel safe, not wearing expensive jewelry and articles of clothing, bringing only an ample amount of cash and always carrying some form of identification. Having a cell phone able to call Medellín numbers in case of emergency is a good safety precaution to have. When going out for the day, it’s best to have your hotel concierge call a taxi for you. Be mindful of your surroundings when walking around the city, and always give cars the right of way to avoid any mishaps on the road. If using an ATM, it’s best to use it during the daytime hours only and to use a machine that is in a safe neighborhood. Also, not all neighborhoods are safe so get familiarized on the zones that are safe for tourists.
Aside from being a business and medical tourism destination, Medellín is reinventing itself as an important industrial city, following the capital city of Bogotá. Medellín is one of the important economic centers of Colombia and generates the bulk of the Department of Antioquia’s GDP.
Today, Medellín is a city that is on the move, which has taken great strides to change its image. With its strong cultural flavor, warm, friendly and hospitable people, ideal year round climate, interesting history and attractive location, Medellín is sure to attract many travelers, investors and residents who could help keep the city vibrant for the new millennium.
History of Medellín
Before the Spaniards arrived, the Aburrá Valley was occupied by various American Indian tribes dating as far back as 10,500 years ago. The Europeans first discovered the Aburrá Valley in the 1540s but it wasn’t until 1616 when Medellín was founded by Francisco Herrera y Campuzano, a Spanish conquistador and explorer. The first settlement was made in the area that is today known as El Poblado, established by what is believed to be Spanish Jews who left Spain to escape the Inquisition. The name of the settlement was initially San Lorenzo de Aburrá but was changed in 1675 to Villa de Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria de Medellín, shortened to Medellín. In 1813, the settlement was officially granted city status.
The following century, Medellín became the capital of the province. The city mostly serviced the needs of the people working the gold mines, which were being developed in Antioquia. The fertile plains of the area were perfect for agricultural cultivation. However, it was only in the 20th century when the city started to really grow and develop, leading the way for the country’s Industrial Revolution. This is credited to the arrival of the railway system as well as the boom of the country’s coffee industry.
The railway linked the largely isolated city to the rest of the country, allowing the city to export its goods and at the same time bringing in migrants from other parts of Colombia. The wealthy residents of the city who made their money from the gold mines invested their money in textiles, which would later become an important backbone of the city’s economy. Coffee exports also became an integral part of Medellín’s economy. By the mid 20th century, the population of the city had increased from under 60,000 residents in the early 1900s to more than 358,000.
Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Medellín developed an unsavory reputation because of the Medellín Cartel, led by drug lord Pablo Escobar. During this time, the city became the capital of the world’s cocaine industry. The small city had a high homicide and kidnapping rate due to the drug activities that overtook the city. Fortunately, the cartel was disbanded by the mid-1990s soon after the death of Escobar in 1993 and the city has since then rebounded and is on its way to economic prosperity.
Today, Medellín is recognized as the second most important economic center in Colombia. The city has become revitalized with various new construction meant to showcase Medellín as a global city and dedicated to improving the lives of its citizens. It is now home to some three million residents who remain proud of their heritage. Medellín is recognized as one of the most beautiful cities in South America and so more and more visitors find themselves discovering this South American gem.
Demographics of Medellín
Residents of Medellín are called Paisas or Antioqueños and the city is regarded as the second most populated city in Colombia. The bulk of the residents of the Department of Antioquia are concentrated in Medellín since over 58% of the population of Antioquia lives in the Aburrá Valley, while 67% of the residents of the valley lives in Medellín. The city is home to 2.7 million residents, while the entire Metro Area has a population of almost 3.5 million.
Whites make up the majority of the residents, accounting for 70% of the total demographic makeup of the city. They are descendants of Spanish colonists. Afro-Colombians are at 6.5% while the Indigenous Amerindians account for less than one percent of the total population. The bulk of the Spanish immigrants arrived between the 17th and 18th centuries, to be followed by immigrants from Portugal, Lebanon, Germany, Italy and Jordan who arrived in the 19th and 20th centuries. Spanish is the language of choice of the city’s residents. English is not as widely spoken in Medellín compared to other major cities.
The majority of the city’s population was born in the city, at over 61%. On the other hand, some 38% of the city’s residents come from other parts of the country, while less than a percent immigrated to the city from another country. It is estimated that there are 6,925 residents per square kilometer in Medellín. There are significantly more women than men in the city, with over 53% of the population being female, while approximately 46% of the population is male.
Overall, Paisas enjoy a good standard of living, since as many as 97% of the population has access to drinking water and almost all households in the city have electricity. Ninety-one percent of the city’s residents also have a land-based phone line to use. The literacy rate of the residents is over 90% of the population, with residents over the age of five years old able to read and write. Paisas are largely Catholics, much like their other South American counterparts.
Economy of Medellín
The economic contribution of Medellín is one of the most important to the country of Colombia, ranking in as the second largest economic region of the country, preceded only by the capital city of Bogotá. The currency used is the Colombian Peso (COP).
The Department of Antioquia, of which Medellín is a part of, has a GDP of $14.7 billion as of 2005. The Gross Domestic Product of the Metro Area generates 67% of the entire GDP of the Department of Antioquia, while the city itself makes up 55% of Antioquia’s total GDP. Antioquia is also the number one exporting state in the country. This places the economic contribution of the Department of Antioquia at 11% of the total GDP of Colombia. The economic contribution of Medellín to the country’s overall economic climate is comparable to the GDP contribution of other cities such as San José de Costa Rica and Panama City.
The Grupo Empresarial Antioqueño or the Antioquian Enterprises Group is a private group leading the way for the economic development of the city. It is comprised of and led by the city’s leaders in various industries, such as banking, food, insurance, and cement. The conglomerate has a market capitalization of $17 billion and is responsible for generating over 80,000 jobs in the metropolis. Business owners who would like to tap into the second largest economic zone of Colombia would do well to use the services of a professional language translation service provider. At the same time, businesses based in the city that would like to pursue other export markets could also benefit from the services of a translation service provider when trying to expand to foreign markets.
Steel, textiles, food and beverage, agriculture, public services, chemical products, refined oil, flowers and confections are some of the major industries of the city. The fashion industry is also starting to make a mark in the city’s economy and culture. In fact, Medellín is gaining the reputation as the Milan of Latin America. Medellín is the venue for the annual fashion of Latin America, the Colombiamoda, which also happens to be the biggest of its kind in the continent.
Medellín is the premiere exporting region in Colombia, backed by 1,750 export-related businesses based in the city. It is the first business cluster in the country. It comprises 21,000 companies that generate 40% of the total exports and 40% of the total employment in the Metro Area. The Medellín Cluster (MC) is also responsible for a quarter of the regional Gross Domestic Product. The various industries that propel the MC are electricity generation, textiles, fashion design, tourism, construction and business. Coming on the horizon is the development of the health care services industry to further contribute to the city’s local economy.
Tourism is also a growing industry in the city. Unlike other destinations, Medellín markets itself as a prime destination for business tourism. The city invested in the Plaza Mayor to attract business conventions and exhibitions to the city. Medical tourism is also a growing segment of the economy, attracting patients from various parts of the world who are in need of various elective medical procedures, especially cosmetic surgery and refractive surgery. This doesn’t mean, however, that Medellín doesn’t welcome tourists wanting to look at the city’s history or enjoy some of its recreational facilities. The city is littered with various monuments, churches, plazas, activities and several forms of entertainments to attract a number of tourists.
Many important companies are also headquartered in Medellín. The regional carrier, Aerolinea de Antioquia is based in the city’s Enrique Olaya Herrera Airport. Another airline, ACES Colombia, is also based in Medellín. West Caribbean Airways also made the same airport its primary hub before it shut down its operations. Surameriana. Colombia’s largest insurance company is likewise in Medellín.
Medellín Attractions
Medellín is a quaint city with various attractions. Going on a Metrocable is one of the best ways to get a scenic view of the city. This is a first in South America, a cable system specifically implemented to provide an alternative means of public transport, to reach some of underdeveloped areas around Medellín. Other visitors opt to ride a Turibus or join a Zorba tour to get an overview of the city with a knowledgeable guide. However, Spanish is primarily used by the guides, so non-Spanish speaking travelers may not always understand some of the explanations.
Medellín has many beautiful churches located all throughout the city. The Metropolitan Cathedral boasts of being the largest cathedral in the world entirely made of baked brick. The structure is made of more than 1.1 million bricks. The oldest church in Medellín is the Church of Veracruz, which dates back to the 17th century. On the other hand, the Church of San Antonio boasts of having one of the biggest domes in a church in the entire country.
Pueblito Paisa is a traditional Antioquia village that has been reconstructed to provide visitors a peek into the traditional way of life. It is found on top of a hill called El Cerro Nutibara, so visitors have the added treat of getting a bird’s eye view of the city.
There are about 40 museums scattered all over the city. One of the important museums not only in the city but also in Colombia is the Museo de Antioquia. The art house museum dates back to 1861 and features a vast collection of contemporary art pieces from all over the world. Some of the paintings and works of famed Colombian artist Fernando Botero are on display here.
Another important museum is the Museo Universidad de Antioquia. Of the six different collections of the museum, the most popular is the Anthropology Collection. With some 20,000 objects, the museum has the most number of pre-Colombian ceramic pieces in the entire country. Best of all, museum entrance is free, though it is closed on Sundays.
The Museum of Modern Art of Medellín (MAMM) has the city’s collection of contemporary art pieces including sculptures, photographs, prints and paintings. One of the highlights of the MAMM is the collection of works by Débora Arango, a renowned painter from Antioquia. It also contains more than 3,000 works of visual artist Hernando Tejada. Every September, the Museum is used as the headquarters of the International Biennale of Video.
The home of one of the most important writers of Colombia has been transformed into a museum, the Casa Museo Fernando González. Visitors could see the traditional home, the writer’s personal belongings and learn more about his work. Fernando Gonzáles has been called “The Wizard of Otraparte” and is one of the most influential writers in the 20th century. The museum is considered a Cultural Public Interest of the Nation site by the Colombian government.
Medellín has a number of interesting buildings. An iconic building in the city is the Edificio Coltejer. The building is used by a textile company and is unique because it is shaped like a threading needle. The Ferrocarril de Antioquia is an old train station that was erected near City Hall and the Governor’s Hall. The former train station, constructed in 1874 remained operational until 1929. There is a small exhibit to display its importance in linking the isolated city to the rest of the country during its time. For something newer, there is the EPM Building, which boasts of modern architectural design. It is fondly called “the intelligent building” because it is highly computerized. The Empress Publicas de Medellín funds the Interactive Museum EPM, which is part of the Parque de los Pies Descalzos. The museum is one of the most popular points of interest in the city, receiving over a thousand visitors each day and featuring 22 rooms teaching students about science and technology through interactive and entertaining displays.
The city is home to a number of parks so that visitors and locals could come together and enjoy the outdoors. Jardin Botánico is a public garden planted with various orchids, tropical flowers, trees and many different plants. Every August, this is the venue of the spectacular annual orchid show. Another lovely venue in the city is Parque El Salado that is located on a mountain. There is a canopy perfect for walking as well as a zip line with five stops.
Medellín is also gearing up to be an eco-tourism destination, led by the Arvi Ecotourism Park. It is ideally located on the slopes of a valley beside a dam and sits on 20,000 hectares of lush forests. There are many streams, lakes, trails and picnic areas suitable for a wide array of outdoor activities. Visitors to the eco-park come here to enjoy a picnic, bike, trek, fish, swim or simply enjoy the perfect weather.
Parque Explora is an interactive museum that teaches visitors about various scientific concepts. One of the top attractions of Explora is the largest aquarium in South America. It showcases various marine life taken from the Orinoco and Amazon Rivers, as well as from the Pacific Ocean and the Colombian Caribbean waters. On the other hand, those who want to learn about the skies and planets could have a great time at the Planetarium of Medellín.
Medellín Culture
Medellín is a beautiful city, with 40 museums, 21 public parks, 28 theaters, 20 libraries and other attractions. Going around on foot or taking the Metrocable is a wonderful way to see various views of the city. The city of Medellín is nestled on the Andes providing the city with a year round temperate climate, perfect for sight seeing and exploring. Medellín’s parks include Parque de los Deseos or Wishes’ Park, where visitors could visit a planetarium and see various science experiments. During the weekends, the park shows free open-air movies and even holds open forums with movie directors. The general public is allowed to participate in the open forums. Plaza de Cisneros, Parque de los Pies Descalzos and Plazuela de San Ignacio are just some of the other lovely parks of the city. There is a handcraft bazaar where visitors could purchase unique souvenirs at Parque San Antonio.
The different neighborhoods of the city also reflect its history, economy and culture. The Prado neighborhood is traditionally the city’s upscale neighborhood, before being replaced by the El Poblado neighborhood. This is where many trendy bars and clubs are located. Modern developments are in Laureles, Estadio and Suramericana. For the best Salsa clubs in the city, many head to Carrera 70 in Suramericana.
The importance of the Catholic faith is readily seen in Medellín. There are many churches in the city, headed by the Metropolitan Cathedral, as well as the Basilica Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria, the Church of San Jose, the Church of San Antonio, the Church of San Ignacio, and the oldest church in the city, the Church of La Veracruz. The interiors of these churches are filled with great religious art, which highlight the people’s devotion to their religion.
The Paisas are generally known to be hardworking, warm, friendly and very hospitable. However, visitors to the city should show some respect to the locals by not making jokes or inappropriate references to Medellín’s less than perfect past. Jokes about drugs, kidnapping and bombings may be offensive to some people since many have been personally affected by the cartel wars. Also, when warding off the many street vendors offering everything from cigarettes to ice cream, it’s best to remain polite and simply say “no, gracias” to keep unwanted vendors at bay.
Just walking along the streets of Medellín provides visitors great insight into the artistic talents of the people, such as the artistic greatness of Rodrigo Arenas Betacur and Fernando Botero. As many as 300 outdoor sculptures and monuments adorn the streets, thanks to the directive of the Municipal Government to decorate buildings with a piece done by a famous artist. Buildings in Medellín need to allot five percent of their budget to purchase a work of art to be put on display, which is why many major establishments have a number of sculptures on their premises. Many of these artistic pieces are located in Avenida el Poblado and the Parque de las Esculturas in Cerro Nutibara. The bulk of the sculptures are at Plaza Botero and the gardens at Suramericana. For this reason, the city of Medellín has the most number of sculptures per square kilometer of any city, earning it the name City of Sculptures.
Medellín also has a number of museums in the city. The most important is the Museo de Antioquia, though there are also art museums such as Museo Pedro Nel Gómez, Museo Etnográfico Miguel Angel Builes and the Museo de Arte Moderno de Medellín (MAMM). The Mineralogy Museum in Medellín’s School of Mines at the National University of Colombia is considered one of the best of its kind in South America.
Various neighborhoods in Medellín have experienced resurgence in the last few decades. There are now modern libraries in poorer neighborhoods of the city, such as the Biblioteca España and another library at San Javier.
Medellín boasts of four major theaters: the Metropolitan Theatre; Pablo Tobón Uribe; Teatro EAFIT and the Teatro de la Universidad de Medellín. These venues are used for a variety of activities such as concerts, operas, ballet performances and theater shows. The city also has a number of theater companies, like the Matacandelas, Pequeño Teatro, Teatro Popular de Medellín and Oficina Central de los Sueños. Every August, the city hosts the annual Theater Festival.
Medellín also has a strong music scene. The Orquesta Filarmónica de Medellín and the Orquesta de EAFIT are two classical music symphonies based in the city. Every September, the city’s opera season begins, organized by the Prolirica de Antioquia.
Medellín also has a strong education sector. One of the largest universities in the country is in the city, the Universidad de Antioquia. There is also the Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana, Escuela de Ingenieria de Antioquia, the health sciences university CES and Universidad Nacional de Colombia. It is also an excellent city to learn Spanish.
As in all other Latin American countries, Medellín places great importance in sports. All of the city’s sports venues are found in one place, the Unidad Deportiva Atanasio Girardot. There are different stadiums in the sports complex that handle football, water sports, boxing, pingpong, various martial arts, gymnastics, weightlifting, chess, basketball, softball, volleyball, and a number of other sports. The city is also home to two football teams, the Atlético Nacional and the Independiente Medellín, which usually play every Wednesday and Saturday or Sunday. Aside from fútbol, swimming is also a top sport in the city, with the Calamares Pilsen and Huracanes representing the city in international competitions.
There are a number of shopping options in the city, such as El Tesoro Parque Comerical, Ovido Coentro Comercial and the country’s first shopping mall, the San Diego Centro Comercial. The newest mall is the Santa Fe Centro Comercial. Despite being a textile capital of the country, visitors might find clothes shopping options quite limited in the Medellín. However, some of the best items to buy in the city are coffee and rum. There are various coffee flavors available, such as sweetened milk and even ice cream flavored coffee. Souvenir goods are available at the Mercado de San Alejo, which is open every first Saturday of the month at Parque de Bolivar. Leather goods are also good buys in the city.
Medellín also has many gastronomic delights to offer visitors such as sancocho de gallina (chicken soup), ajiaco (chicken and potato soup), carne en polvo (ground beef) and arepas de choclo (fresh corn tortillas). Empanadas, fried cheese puffs or buñuelos, Antioquian beans, yucca bread and sobrebarriga or flank steaks are just some of the typical dishes that could be enjoyed while in Medellín. The tropical fruits of Colombia are must haves while in the city, including granadilla, guanabana, lulo, zapote, uchuva, maracuya, borojó, mamey, tamarindo and feijoa. For a taste of everything, try salpicón, which is a fruit mix soaked in fruit juice.
The typical day for people in Medellín starts with corn arepas (a corn pancake) served with white cheese and butter, plus a cup of coffee or hot chocolate. Colombian beer is another must try while in the city. The bars in Medellín also concoct their own cocktails using local ingredients and flavors, such as Refajo. Many good restaurants are located at the Zona Rosa in Poblado. However, some international cuisine might be hard to find, especially Indian, Thai and Greek food, though sushi is becoming more and more popular. Some fast food chains are also available in the city, though it is not as popular as local cuisine.
Tango comes alive each month in Medellín. The monthly street fair is called Tangovia, which is held at the Manrique neighborhood and features dancers, singers and various exciting performances. In June, the city hosts the International Tango Festival, where the world’s top tango dancers showcase their dancing skills. In July, Medellín is host to the Poetry Festival, which is regarded as one of the most important poetry festivals in the whole world. Top poets and even Nobel Prize winning writers from all over the world attend the prestigious annual event. In August, one of the most beautiful events is the Feria de las Flores or the Flowers Festival, culminating in the Desfile de Silleteros or the Parade of Flower Carriers.
The Feria Internacional del Caballo has been held every October since 2009. This is an exhibit of some of the finest horses from various countries. Another celebration involving animals is the Bullfighting Festival of La Macarena, which is held sometime between January and February. The country’s best bullfighters, along with those from Spain and the Americas show their skills at the Plaza de Toros de La Macarena. Aside from providing entertainment, the proceeds of the event go to the Hospital Universitario San Vicente de Paul.
December is one of the most enjoyable times of the year to visit Medellín. Every December 7, there is the Noche de las Luces to celebrate the Parade of Myths and Legends. Participants come in costume and celebrate with songs and dances to pay tribute to the region’s many legends. During this month, the streets of Avenue la Playa and the Medellín River are decorated with thousands of tiny Christmas lights, transforming the city into a fairyland-like oasis. There are also illuminated statues that are on display all over the city. The National Geographic has hailed the Christmas lights of Medellín, called Los Alumbrados, as one of the ten most beautiful in the world.
Interesting Facts About Medellín
There’s more than meets the eye when it comes to Medellín. This Colombian city is fast gaining international recognition for many things other than the drug cartels that ruled the city in the late 20th century. Today, there are many interesting things to learn about Medellín.
- Medellín is a city with many nicknames. It has been called Ciudad de la Eterna Primavera or the City of Everlasting Spring; Capital de la Montana or the Mountain Capital; Capital de las Orquideas or the Orchid Capital; Ciudad de las Flores or the City of Flowers; La Bella Villa or the Beautiful Village, as well as Tacita de Plata or the Little Silver Cup. A play on the city’s name is Medallo.
- The electric escalator built in Comuna 13 is the first of its kind in the world. In fact, it is the only one of its kind to be found anywhere on the planet. The electric escalator measures 1,260 feet long, which is equivalent to a 28-story building. It was built to provide easy access the city’s residents whose homes are built on the hillside.
- The Universidad de Antioquia is more than two centuries old and is one of the most important centers of learning in the country. There are two campuses in Medellín, the older building featuring republic architecture and the newer building showcasing modern architecture.
- There are only four major daily newspapers in Medellín. The second largest paper in Columbia has a strong circulation in the city, the El Colombiano. El Mundo, Q’hubo and ADN are there other newspapers in circulation.
- One of Medellín’s favorite sons is the artist Fernando Botero who is called “the most Colombian of Colombian artists.” His works are distinguished by his personal style, called “Boterismo,” usually depicting the violence in the country brought about by the drug cartels. Most of his works are on display at the National Museum of Colombia. His other sculptures are on display in many parts of the world including Israel and Armenia.
- Medellín boasts of being the only Colombian city to have two airports. These are the José Maria Córdova International Airport and the Olaya Herrera Airport.
- Famed Tango singer and songwriter Carlos Gardel lost his life in Medellín on June 24, 1935 when his plane crashed. His business associates as well as two guitarists and some friends also lost their lives in the plane crash with him.
- Medellín is the birthplace of PGA Tour player Camilo Villegas and Tour de France winner Santiago Botero Echeverry.
- Medellín is a twin city of the Colombian cities of Cali and Bogotá D.C., Fort Lauderdale, Buenos Aires and Rio de Janeiro; Gold Coast in Australia; Monterrey in Mexico; Varna in Bulgaria and Tacuarembó in Uruguay. Medellín is also a friendship city of Barcelona, Bilbao and Milan.
References:
http://www.Medellíntraveler.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medell%C3%ADn
http://wikitravel.org/en/Medell%C3%ADn
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/colombia/northwest-colombia/Medellín/history