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From the 1980s until the late 1990s, the city was known for being a base for the most powerful international [[drug trafficking]] organisations like the home-based [[Medellín Cartel]], led by [[Pablo Escobar]], and for being constantly affected by the violent [[Colombian armed conflict (1960s–present)|Colombian conflict]]. It was, however, primarily common delinquent elements such as street gangs that made Medellín one of the most violent cities in the world. In the year 1991 for example, the city recorded 6,349 homicides and a rate eleven times higher than that of [[Chicago]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.medellin.gov.co/AdmonContenido/EstadisticasGobierno/DocumentosEstadisticasGobierno/REGISTRO%20MENSUAL%20DE%20HOMICIDIOS%20198806.pdf|title=REGISTRO MENSUAL DE HOMICIDIOS COMUNES EN MEDELLIN|accessdate=2007-07-14 |format=PDF |publisher=Medellin |language=Spanish}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://idbdocs.iadb.org/wsdocs/getdocument.aspx?docnum=821497|title=Violencia Juvenil|accessdate=2007-07-14 |publisher=idbdocs |language=Spanish}}</ref> The United States government considered the city so dangerous that it shut down its consulate in 1981 for security reasons. The U.S. State Department later issued a travel warning for US-Americans not to travel to Medellín. |
From the 1980s until the late 1990s, the city was known for being a base for the most powerful international [[drug trafficking]] organisations like the home-based [[Medellín Cartel]], led by [[Pablo Escobar]], and for being constantly affected by the violent [[Colombian armed conflict (1960s–present)|Colombian conflict]]. It was, however, primarily common delinquent elements such as street gangs that made Medellín one of the most violent cities in the world. In the year 1991 for example, the city recorded 6,349 homicides and a rate eleven times higher than that of [[Chicago]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.medellin.gov.co/AdmonContenido/EstadisticasGobierno/DocumentosEstadisticasGobierno/REGISTRO%20MENSUAL%20DE%20HOMICIDIOS%20198806.pdf|title=REGISTRO MENSUAL DE HOMICIDIOS COMUNES EN MEDELLIN|accessdate=2007-07-14 |format=PDF |publisher=Medellin |language=Spanish}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://idbdocs.iadb.org/wsdocs/getdocument.aspx?docnum=821497|title=Violencia Juvenil|accessdate=2007-07-14 |publisher=idbdocs |language=Spanish}}</ref> The United States government considered the city so dangerous that it shut down its consulate in 1981 for security reasons. The U.S. State Department later issued a travel warning for US-Americans not to travel to Medellín. |
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In the early 21st century, Medellín has become a much safer city for its residents and international travelers due to recent economic and social changes.<ref>{{cite web| |
In the early 21st century, Medellín has become a much safer city for its residents and international travelers due to recent economic and social changes.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=Fundación Seguridad y Democracia |year=2006 |url=http://www.seguridadydemocracia.org/docs/pdf/seguridadUrbana/indiceEnero31.pdf |title=Índice de la Seguridad Urbana 2005 |accessdate=2006-10-16 |language=Spanish |format=PDF}}</ref> The local government and its citizens in general have gone to great lengths to shake off its bad reputation and improve the image of the city, with tangible results. In 2005 the homicide rate was 35 per 100,000 people, the lowest in over 20 years, and one of the best improvements of any city in the world. Most of the homicides tend to occur in the poorer northern sections of the city, and much work is being done to build greater infrastructure, such as public libraries, new schools and strong community programmes. However, by way of comparison, the homicide rate in Medellín is now lower than that of [[Caracas]] with 95 per 100,000, [[Cali]] with 65 and [[Recife]] with 59.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.derechos.org.ve/publicaciones/infanual/2005_06/pdf/seguridadciudadana.pdf|title=Derecho a la seguridad ciudadana|accessdate=2007-06-27 |format=PDF |publisher=Derecho a la seguridad ciudadana |language=Spanish}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.elpais.com.co/paisonline/especiales/dialogos/docs/rafael.ppt |title=Observatorio del Delito Estratega para el control de la violencia urbana |accessdate=2006-07-08 |publisher=Universidad del Valle |language=Spanish}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mj.gov.br/senasp/estatisticas/mapacrime/Mapacrime2004_2005.pdf |title=Analise das Ocorrencias Registradas pelas Policias Civis (Janeiro de 2004 a Dezembro de 2005) |accessdate=2006-07-15 |format=PDF |publisher=Ministério da Justiça |language=Portuguese}}</ref>. |
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After the national demobilization of paramilitary forces in 2007, crime in Medellín has gone up again, but is still much lower than it was in the 1990's. <ref>{{cite web|url=http://colombiareports.com/2008/03/15/security-in-medellin-deteriorates-after-demobilization-of-paramilitary-forces/|title=Security in Medellín deteriorates after demobilization of paramilitary forces|accessdate=2008-03-15 |publisher=Colombia Reports |language=English}}</ref> |
After the national demobilization of paramilitary forces in 2007, crime in Medellín has gone up again, but is still much lower than it was in the 1990's. <ref>{{cite web|url=http://colombiareports.com/2008/03/15/security-in-medellin-deteriorates-after-demobilization-of-paramilitary-forces/|title=Security in Medellín deteriorates after demobilization of paramilitary forces|accessdate=2008-03-15 |publisher=Colombia Reports |language=English}}</ref> |
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Revision as of 18:16, 24 March 2008
Medellín | |
|---|---|
 | |
 Flag | |
| Nickname(s): "The City of Everlasting Spring", "Mountain's Capital", "City Of The Flowers", "Orchids' Capital", "Beautiful Village", "Little Silver Cup", "Medallo" | |
 Location of the city (urban in red) and municipality (dark gray) of Medellín in Antioquia Department. | |
| Department | Antioquia |
| Region | Valle de Aburrá |
| Founded | March 2, 1616 |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Alonso Salazar Jaramillo |
| Area | |
• City | 382 km2 (147 sq mi) |
| • Metro | 1,152 km2 (445 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 1,495 m (4,905 ft) |
| Population (2006) | |
• City | 2,350,227 |
| • Density | 5,320.75/km2 (13,780.7/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 |
| Website | Government of Medellín official website |
Medellín (pronounced IPA: [mɛdəˈjiːn] or [mɛdəˈliːn], Spanish: [með̞eˈʝin] or [með̞eˈʎin]) is a municipality and capital city of the Metropolitan Area of Medellín, Antioquia Department, Colombia; it is the second largest and most populous city in the country, after Bogotá. It was founded in 1616 by Francisco Herrera and Don Campuzano. As of 2006, the municipality of Medellín has a population of 2.4 million inhabitants, making it the second most populated city in Colombia after Bogotá.[1][2] Medellín also serves as the core of the Valle de Aburrá (Aburrá Valley) metropolitan area, the second largest in Colombia, with more than 3.2 million inhabitants, and a leading and productive industrial and urban center.
Medellín is the 95th most populous metropolitan area in the world.
The city's major concern, shared by many other Colombian cities, is the ongoing unemployment and sub-employment problem. People from Antioquia and especially from Medellín are called Paisas although the Paisas are people from the departments of Antioquia, Risaralda, Caldas and Quindío.
History
Medellín has over time gone by many different different names: Aburrá de los Yamesíes, San Lorenzo de Aburrá, San Lorenzo de Aná, Valle de San Bartolomé, Villa de la Candelaria de Medellín and Medellín. The surrounding valley, known as Aburrá, was visited by the Spanish explorer Jeronimo Luis Tejelo in 1541, but the settlement of Medellín was founded later by the conquistador Francisco Herrera y Campuzano, on March 2, 1616, and under the name of San Lorenzo de Aburra.
In 1675 the name was changed to Villa de Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria de Medellín, in honour of Pedro Portocarrero, the count of Medellín in the province of Badajoz in Spain, who was the president of the Spanish Council of the Indies at the time.
It was not until 1813 that the town acquired the status of a city. Thirteen years later it was proclaimed capital of the Department of Antioquia, in place of Santa Fe de Antioquia.
Law and government
Politics and law in Colombia are centralised; that is, most laws are agreed on and passed across from the capital city of Bogotá. However, as a major city Medellín also pulls its weight. The government of the City of Medellín is divided into executive and legislative branches. The Mayor of the City (Alcalde) is publicly elected for a term of four years (just like the President and the Governor of any other Department in Colombia). The current mayor, elected in 2007 is Alonso Salazar.
Crime
From the 1980s until the late 1990s, the city was known for being a base for the most powerful international drug trafficking organisations like the home-based Medellín Cartel, led by Pablo Escobar, and for being constantly affected by the violent Colombian conflict. It was, however, primarily common delinquent elements such as street gangs that made Medellín one of the most violent cities in the world. In the year 1991 for example, the city recorded 6,349 homicides and a rate eleven times higher than that of Chicago.[3][4] The United States government considered the city so dangerous that it shut down its consulate in 1981 for security reasons. The U.S. State Department later issued a travel warning for US-Americans not to travel to Medellín.
In the early 21st century, Medellín has become a much safer city for its residents and international travelers due to recent economic and social changes.[5] The local government and its citizens in general have gone to great lengths to shake off its bad reputation and improve the image of the city, with tangible results. In 2005 the homicide rate was 35 per 100,000 people, the lowest in over 20 years, and one of the best improvements of any city in the world. Most of the homicides tend to occur in the poorer northern sections of the city, and much work is being done to build greater infrastructure, such as public libraries, new schools and strong community programmes. However, by way of comparison, the homicide rate in Medellín is now lower than that of Caracas with 95 per 100,000, Cali with 65 and Recife with 59.[6][7][8].
After the national demobilization of paramilitary forces in 2007, crime in Medellín has gone up again, but is still much lower than it was in the 1990's. [9]
Geography and climate
Medellín has an area of 382 km². It has 16 comunas (districts), 5 corregimientos and 271 barrios. The metropolitan area of Medellín lies within the Aburrá valley at an elevation of 1,538 meters and is bisected by the Medellín River which flows northward. North of the valley are the towns of Bello, Copacabana, Girardota and Barbosa. To the south of the valley Itagüí, Envigado, Sabaneta, La Estrella and Caldas can be found.
Because Medellín is located at 5,000 ft (1,500 m) above sea level, its climate is not as hot as other cities located at the same latitude near the equator. Because of its altitude above sea level and privileged location in the Andes Range, Medellín's weather is more characteristic of a Humid subtropical climate rather than that of a Tropical climate. The city's average annual temperature is 22 °C (72 °F) and because of its proximity to the equator, its temperature is constant year round with minimal temperature variations. Temperatures range from 15 °C (52 °F) to 30 °C (86 °F). The pleasant spring-like climate year round makes it known as 'La Ciudad de la Eterna Primavera' or 'City of the Eternal Spring'.
Administrative divisions
Medellín is a city based in a republican democratic system based in the Administrative decentralisation processes stated in the Colombian Constitution of 1991. Government is shared by the Mayor of Medellín and the Municipal Council, both elected by popular vote.
The city is divided into 6 zones and these are subdivided into 16 Communes. Communes are divided into Barrios and Urban institutional areas, Medellín contains more than 249 barrios and 5 corregimientos which are part of the municipality of Medellín. Medellín is crossed by the Medellín River from south to north.
Zones
- Southeastern Zone: El Poblado Commune.
- Southwestern Zone: Guayabal Commune Belén Commune.
- West Central Zone: Laureles Commune, La América Commune, San Javier Commune.
- East Central Zone: La Candelaria Commune, Villa Hermosa Commune, Buenos Aires Commune.
- Northwestern Zone: Castilla Commune, Doce de Octubre Commune, Robledo Commune.
- Northeastern Zone: Aranjuez Commune, Manrique Commune, Popular Commune, Santa Cruz Commune.
- Corregimientos: Palmitas, San Cristóbal, Altavista, San Antonio de Prado and Santa Elena.
Street nomenclature
Streets in Medellín are somewhat defined based on the Cartesian coordinate system. Certain definitions for these streets are:
- Street (Calle): any street running from east to west and vice versa. The numbers increase from south to north except in a zone of El Poblado where the street numbers increase from north to south adding the denomination "sur". e.g.: Calle 10 sur.
- Avenues (Carreras): run from south to north and vice versa; Carrera 1st starting to the east.
- Circulars (Circulares): these streets loop certain areas.
- Transversals (Transversales).
- Diagonals (Diagonales).
- Avenidas (Avenues): usually wide and large streets, with some sort of importance.
Economy
The present-day economy of Medellín is one of the largest of Colombia and is led by a powerful group of people from the private sector known as the Sindicato Antioqueño (Antioquian Syndicate) and formally known as the Grupo Empresarial Antioqueño (Antioquian Enterprises Group). Represented by David Bojanini; who leads Suramericana de Seguros (an insurance conglomerate), Carlos Piedrahita; with the Compañía Nacional de Chocolates (Food industry), José Alberto Velez; Cementos Argos (a multinational cement company) and Jorge Londoño; leading Bancolombia, (Colombia's largest bank). Together they consolidated this group that has an aggregate market capitalization of approximately US$17 billion dollars and who employ more than 80,000 Colombians.[10]
This group also participates in other sectors of the city industry and is an active trader in the Colombian stock exchange.
Medellín competes strongly with Bogotá and Cali as an industrial center, having similar economies.[citation needed] The city serves as headquarters for many national and multinational companies and its centers of higher education constantly contribute to the modernization of the region and its industry.
The main economic products are steel, textiles, confections, food and beverage, agriculture (from its rural area), public services, chemical products and pharmaceuticals, refined oil and flower exports.
Urban development
There are obvious signs of heavy urban development within the city of Medellín, particularly with the construction of new skyscrapers. In fact, Medellín is outpacing all other major Colombian cities in the construction and proposed development of new high-rises, including Bogotá, the nation's capital and economic center[11]. As of November, 2007, there were 127 high-rises under construction in Medellín, including 25 being approved, and 17 being proposed.[12] Interestingly, there are more high-rises under construction in Medellín today than in New York City, Los Angeles, and Philadelphia combined.
Education
Medellín is also home to over 30 universities that serve mainly the department of Antioquia, the "Eje Cafetero" (Colombian Coffee-Growers Axis) region and the Caribbean Coast. Among the most important are the public universities Universidad de Antioquia, Universidad Nacional and Politecnico Jaime Isaza Cadavid, and the private Universidad EAFIT, Universidad de Medellín, Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana, Universidad de San Buenaventura, Escuela de Ingenieria de Antioquia, Universidad Santo Tomas and CES. There are also important technological centres such as the Instituto Tecnologico Metropolitano (ITM).
There are public and private schools, among private school some of the most recognized are: Theodoro Hertzl School, The Columbus School, San Ignacio de Loyola School, Colegio Colombo Britanico, El Corazonista School, Marymount School, Montessori School, Gimnasio Los Pinares, Gimnasio Los Alcázares, San José De La Salle, Instituto Jorge Robledo and Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana, and colegio cumbres
Transportation
Air transportation
International flights are served through the José María Córdova International Airport (MDE), in Rionegro, another municipality east of Medellín and outside the Aburrá Valley. The José María Córdova Intl. is better suited for large aircraft and instrument/night time operation. Its international terminal is served with daily international flights to and from Miami, New York, Caracas, Quito, Panama City, Porlamar, Aruba and other important cities. Olaya Herrera Airport (EOH) serves mainly regional flights, commuter and light aircraft.
Land transportation
Public transportation is served by diesel buses, taxis and most notably, an urban train referred to as the Metro de Medellín. The Metro de Medellín connects the cities of Medellín, Itagüí, Envigado and Bello. Line A departs from Itagüí to Niquía, while Line B goes from San Antonio to San Javíer. The metro is complemented with Line K, an air cable car, locally known as Metrocable, which serves a depressed and geographically difficult area. Line K begins on Acevedo Station on Metro Line A, and continues uphill ending in Santo Domingo Savio. A new Metrocable line (Line J) is projected to be inaugurated in 2007, and will connect San Javíer with La Aurora. Medellín is the only Colombian city with such transportation systems.
Despite the variety of options, traffic in Medellín has become chaotic, as the number of vehicles has exceeded the highways capacity; furthermore, the pollution produced by the diesel buses has become a major issue, most notably in the center of the city and the southern district of El Poblado. The city has no further space for the construction of new highways.
In 2006, the construction of Metroplus began, a service of buses with an exclusive road, which will allow faster transit for the service's buses, and stations, much like Bogotá's TransMilenio. The service will be inaugurated in 2008, and it will cover most of the city, the first step will be the Troncal Medellín that will go from the Universidad de Medellín in the west, to Aranjuez, in the north east part of the city. The service will help to decrease the city's contamination and traffic problems, as many old buses will be retired and the service's buses will work with natural gas.
Ethnicities
The vast majority of Paisas are of mixed white European and native descent, followed closely by Italians. Medellin also received a lot of immigration during the 17th and 18th centuries mainly from Spain. Later, some immigrants arrived from Syria, Jordan, Germany and Portugal during the 19th century. There are also Zambo-Colombians and Afro-Colombians.
The Chocó Department is just west of Antioquia and leading the move of many Afro-Colombian and Zambo-Colombian migrants to Medellín and other municipalities near Medellín.
Culture
The city is universally known as the City of Eternal Spring.
People from Medellín are actually called by their Department denomination: Antioqueños, as opposed to a city-derived name: Medellinenses. They are also known as Paisas, which some suggest is derived from the coffee growers. The term Paisa comes from the word Paisano (fellow countrymen). They make up one of the five different regional cultures within Colombia, also called the Paisa region
Festivals and events
La Feria de las Flores (The Festival of the Flowers) is the most important festival of Antioquia and it takes place in Medellín in early August. The event has been celebrated every year since 1957. This festival has several activities such as antique cars parade, Desfíle de Silleteros (flower carriers parade), mass horse rides down the streets, exhibition of fondas from much of the towns in Antioquia, etc.
Other festivals are the International Poetry Festival (June) (which received the 2006 Right Livelihood Award ), the Parade of Myths and Legends (December) and ColombiaModa (fashion industry event).
Sports
Medellín's best known and most popular sports clubs are Atlético Nacional and Independiente Medellín football (soccer) teams. They play at the Atanasio Girardot Stadium. Medellín is also known for its two main swimming teams which are Calamares Pilsen and Huracanes. Three times Tour de France stage winner Santiago Botero Echeverry was also born in the city. Medellín is also the birthplace of professional golfer and PGA Tour player Camilo Villegas.
Nicknames
Besides being called the "industrial capital of Colombia", Medellín is also called "Ciudad de la Eterna Primavera" (The City of Everlasting Spring), "Capital de la Montaña" (Mountain's Capital), "Ciudad de las Flores" (City Of The Flowers), "Capital de las Orquídeas" (Orchids' Capital), "La Bella Villa" (Beautiful Village), "Tacita de Plata" (Little Silver Cup), and "Medallo".
Sister cities
Barcelona, Spain- Bilbao, Spain
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Fort Lauderdale, United States
Milan, Italy
Monterrey, Mexico
References
- ^ Helders, Stefan. "World Gazetteer: Colombia: largest cities: calc 2006". Retrieved 2006-06-15.
- ^ Butler, Rhett (2003). "Largest cities in Colombia (2002)". Retrieved 2006-06-15.
- ^ "REGISTRO MENSUAL DE HOMICIDIOS COMUNES EN MEDELLIN" (PDF) (in Spanish). Medellin. Retrieved 2007-07-14.
- ^ "Violencia Juvenil" (in Spanish). idbdocs. Retrieved 2007-07-14.
- ^ "Índice de la Seguridad Urbana 2005" (PDF) (in Spanish). Fundación Seguridad y Democracia. 2006. Retrieved 2006-10-16.
- ^ "Derecho a la seguridad ciudadana" (PDF) (in Spanish). Derecho a la seguridad ciudadana. Retrieved 2007-06-27.
- ^ "Observatorio del Delito Estratega para el control de la violencia urbana" (in Spanish). Universidad del Valle. Retrieved 2006-07-08.
- ^ "Analise das Ocorrencias Registradas pelas Policias Civis (Janeiro de 2004 a Dezembro de 2005)" (PDF) (in Portuguese). Ministério da Justiça. Retrieved 2006-07-15.
- ^ "Security in Medellín deteriorates after demobilization of paramilitary forces". Colombia Reports. Retrieved 2008-03-15.
- ^ Grupo Empresarial Antioqueño on www.suleasing-intl.com. Accessed 15 October 2006
- ^ Insert footnote text here
- ^ http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/ci/bu/sk/?id=101122
External links
- The city's official government webpage in Spanish Template:Es
- Template:Wikitravel Transclusion error: {{En}} is only for use in File namespace. Use {{langx|en}} or {{in lang|en}} instead.
- Metro Template:Es
- Metro-Metrocable photos Transclusion error: {{En}} is only for use in File namespace. Use {{langx|en}} or {{in lang|en}} instead.
- Medellin Traveler's Guide
- 2006 Right Livelihood Award winner La Festival Internacional de Poesía de Medellín Transclusion error: {{En}} is only for use in File namespace. Use {{langx|en}} or {{in lang|en}} instead.
