Melgar, Tolima

Melgar
Melgar
	Flag Seal
	Localities (localidades) of Tolima
	Coordinates: 4°12′14″N 74°38′34″W / 4.20389°N 74.64278°W
Country	Colombia
Department	Tolima
Government
• Mayor	Miguel Antonio Parra
Area
• Total	196 km2 (76 sq mi)
Elevation	323 m (1,060 ft)
Population (2017)
• Total	36,641
• Density	186.9/km2 (484/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC-5
Website	; City Official Site

Melgar (Spanish pronunciation: [melˈɣaɾ]) is a Colombian town in the Department of Tolima, 98 km (61 mi) southwest of Bogotá and 1 hour east of Ibagué, the capital city of Tolima.

Melgar is located in the Sumapaz River Valley and borders the Department of Cundinamarca and Sumapaz River to the north, town of Icononzo to the east, the towns of Cunday at the south and Carmen de Apicala to the west.

The town is home to a major military base called Tolemaida Air Base.

Melgar is a very popular weekend destination for Bogota residents. Temperature ranges between 28–35° Celsius (82–95 °F). It is known in Colombia as the "City of the Swimming Pools" or the "Sea of Swimming Pools" because of its more than 5,000 swimming pools. It is a major inland resort, which the people of Bogotá visit on weekends to flee the capital's cold weather for the warm climate of the valley.

History

The first settlement was called "Cualamana", later changed to "Villa de Nuestra Señora de Altagracia. In 1601 its name was changed to "La Candelaria", given by Captain Juan Lopez de Herrera. It was the site of an ancient Amerindian village that belonged to the Panches.

In the early 18th century the village was destroyed by a fire when the local religious celebrations were taking place. The village was rebuilt in 1789 by the Dominican community in the grounds owned by Cardenas Varastegui at the valley of the Sumapaz River. In the early days the place was called "Valle de Melgar". In 1824, the village was part of the Department of Cundinamarca, together with Tibacuy, Pasca, Pandi and Cunday. In 1851 the population was approximately 2,600 people and the economy was based on the production of quina.

In 1855, it became part of the Province of Neiva, together with Cunday and Carmen de Apicalá. By then, Melgar was also producing coffee. By decree issued on November 13, 1871 Melgar was elevated to the status of town. Melgar became part of the Department of Tolima after its creation.