London and Bogotá !

Hi !...
Here we are going to compare London and Bogota.

• London city is older than Bogota
• London city is one of the most expensives cities in the world
• Bogota is more populous than London
• London is much more expensive than Bogota
• Bogota's people are more happy than London's people
• London's clothes are more expensive than Bogota's clothes
• London's artists are better than Bogota's artists
• Bogota's food is more delicious and cheaper than London's
• London's life quality is better than Bogota's
• London's citizens are more serious than Bogota's citizens
• London's monuments and buildings are more beautiful and more outstanding than Bogota's
• London city is more organized than Bogota
• Bogota is bigger than London
• Traveling to London is more expensive than traveling to Bogota
• Some of London Universities are the most important and the best in the world

Hello Dear partners!..
This is our blog.
We are Tania Casas, Lina Camelo and Michelle Brijaldo.
Enjoy it !

Bogotá is the Colombia's Capital city and also the capital of the department of Cundinamarca. It is the most populous city in the country; about 7,304,384 inhabitants. Bogotá and its metropolitan area which includes municipalities such as Chía, Cota, Soacha, Cajicá and La Calera have an estimated population of 8,566,926.

This city is the largest in Colombia and one of the biggest in Latin America. It figures among the 30 largest cities of the world and it is the third highest capital city in the world after La Paz and Quito. Bogotá is 2,625 metres above the sea level. Bogotá owns the largest moorland of the world and it's the most important industrial, economic, cultural and tourism centre of Colombia.

Bogotá Map:

Flag:

Emblem:

Anthem:

History

The History of Bogotá refers to the history of the area surrounging the Colombian capital city of Bogotá. The area of modern Bogotá was first populated by groups of indigenous people that migrated from mesoamerica. Among these groups were the Muiscas that settled in what is now mainly Cundinamarca and Boyacá. With the arrival of the Spanish colonizers the area became a major settlement, founded by Gonzalo Jimenez de Quesada and later capital of the spanish provinces and the seat of the Viceroyalty of New Granada. With indepence Bogotá became capital of the Gran Colombia and later the capital of the Republic of Colombia.

Activities to do in Bogotá

Parks and recreation: 

In Bogotá there are many parks, many with facilities for concerts, plays, movies, storytellers and other activities.

•"Simón Bolívar Metropolitan Park" is a large park regularly used to stage free concerts as the annual Rock al Parque.Kites are flown in the park.

•The National public  Park has many trees and green spaces, ponds, games for children, foot and bicycle paths, and venues for entertainment such as public screenings of movies and concerts and events organized by the Council of Bogotá. It is located between two main streets, the Circunvalar Avenue and the 7th Avenue.

•The Bogotá Botanical Garden 

•The Children's Museum of Bogotá is a science, technology and art interactive museum specializing in children and youngsters ages 2 to 19.

 •"Parque de la 93" is located between 93rd and 93Ath street, and 12th and 13th avenue, and has day-time leisure activities and nightlife. Several of the top restaurants and bars in the city are in this park.

•There are restaurants and bars in the vicinity of a T-shaped pedestrian strip dubbed "La T" (The T) at the corner of 82nd street and Cra.12. More recently, restaurant activity has begun in the "Zona G" (Gourmet Zone) in and around 67th and 70th Streets and other locations including Usaquen in the north-east and La Macarena (downtown).

•Mundo Aventura is an amusement park, with an entry charge and charges for the different attractions. It has rides for adults and children, a petting zoo, and the "cerdodromo", where pigs race.

•"Salitre Mágico" is another amusement park with rides and attractions. The park is near the Simón Bolívar park, where concerts are held throughout the year.

•Parque del Chicó has trees, gardens, artificial creeks and ponds, and a colonial style house converted into a museum.

•To the north Parque Jaime Duque has rides, a giant map of Colombia, popular exhibits, a zoo, and a big hand holding the world symbolizing God. There is a reproduction of the Taj Mahal in the park with a collection of reproductions of famous paintings. The park is also used for large concerts, mainly electronic music ones.

•Maloka is an interactive museum of sciences.

Tourist train is a sightseeing train, popular with Bogotá residents, which runs to outlying towns Zipaquirá, Cajicá and Nemocón along the lines of the former Bogotá Savannah Railway on weekends. The route to Zipaquirá (famous for its salt cathedral) is 53 km long. Another line goes towards the north for 47 km and ends at Briceño.

Shopping malls

•  Centro Andino, an exclusive Mall located near the T zone in Northern Bogotá

•  Centro Mayor (the largest mall in the country)

•  Atlantis Plaza

•  Centro Andino

•  Centro Mayor (the largest mall in the country)

•  Diverplaza Álamos

•  El Retiro Mall

•  Plaza Imperial

•  Hacienda Santa Barbara

•  Gran Estación

•  Hayuelos

•  Palatino

•  Bulevar

•  Portal de la 80

•  Salitre Plaza

•  Santafé (the second largest mall in the country)

•  Tintal Plaza

•  Unicentro

•  Plaza de las Américas

•  Cedritos

Tourism

In Bogotá, there is a wide variety of accommodation ranging from backpacker lodges and five star hotels. The hotels in the historical center of La Candelaria and its surrounding areas cater to lovers of culture and the arts. The hotels located near Ciudad Salitre are intended for visitors who make short stops in Bogotá or need proximity to El Dorado International Airport. The hotels located in the north of the city mainly cater to business visitors, or those travelers seeking shopping or pleasure.

 

Important landmarks and tourist stops in Bogotá include the botanical garden José Celestino Mutis, La Quinta de Bolivar, the national observatory, the planetarium, Maloka, the Colpatria observation point, the observation point of La Calera, the monument of the American flags, and La Candelaria (the historical district of the city). There is also Usaquen, a colonial landmark where brunch and flea market on Sundays is a traditional activity. The city has numerous green parks and amusement parks like Salitre Magico or Mundo Aventura.

There are also several areas of the city where fine restaurants can be found. The G Zone, the T Zone and La Macarena are well known for their gastronomic offerings. Most recognized restaurants are Criterion, Leo Cocina y Cava, Nazca, and En Obra.

Music

Music in Bogota 

The music is an important part of cultural development in Bogota in which different bands and artists have the oportunity to show their talent.

Rock Park:

Rock park is the first, largest and most important festivals of the park, is also the largest free music festival in Latin America. The 1995 as a way to show the public Bogota rock bands and help them grow. For 3 days at Parque Simon Bolivar areseveral rock bands where the jumps and screams take over thousands ofattendees who enjoy and respect their diverse musical tastes.

Rock Park has presented local bands who share the stage with international bands like:  Apocalyptica, Skatellites, Café Tacuba, Fito Paez, Andres Calamaro, Manu Chao, Bloc Party or Biohazard have been part of this event.

Jazz Park: 

Thanks to the success of Rock the Park, it was born in 1996 Jazz in the Park, a festival dedicated to the dissemination of this genre among the citizens.

 The Festival is the main representation of this country's musical style and themost important forum for the presentation of college and local bands. It has benefited from the presentations of renowned jazz musicians like Avishai Cohen,Tamborun, Erik Truffaz, Diego Valdes Sebastian Schunke and many others

 

Hip Hop Park

Hip Hop Park was born in 1996. Its objective is to disseminate the urban beats andstreet artists who perform in the city. The verses and the turntables come withthe dancers in space designed for them.

It is one of the most popular. In addition there are also concerts, dance competitions, freestyle and graffiti. Some of the artists that have performed are: Three Crowns, DJ Shotgun, Havoc, Actitud Maria Marta, Culcha Candela and Cartel de Santa.

Salsa Park

In 1997 it created the space devoted to one of the most important genres ofColombia. This is the festival more Latin and more tropical flavor, is also a greatopportunity for bands that make this music to make them known.

It is also a place for collectors of this music and the best dancers. Among the names that have walked on the stage of the festival are The Ponceña Sonora, LosHermanos Lebron, Yuri Buenaventura, Richie Ray and Bobby Cruz, OrquestaGuayacan and others.

Opera Park

Classical music also has a space in Bogota; Park Opera was born in 1998 to spreadthis music to the public. His concerts and recitals are for reduced public and auditoriums specially designed for this kind of music.

Park Opera receives each year to the most prestigious musicians, orchestras andmusic directors, also serves to show the talent of the country.

Colombia Park  

Colombia Park is an event that brings together all forms of musical expression in the country, is the space for people to know the rhythms of ColombiaThe festival brings the best of Colombian music, contemporary rhythms and dancesof the regions, it also brings cultural events and craft areas, gourmet events and academic activities.

The most renowned local musicians, as Orlando "El Cholo"Valderrama, Toto laMomposina, Jorge Velosa, Petrona Martínez, La Mojarra Eléctrica, Alfredo Gutierrez, and Anibal Velásquez.

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 MORE INFORMATION ABOUT BOGOTA!!!

Food & Restaurants

A broad array of restaurants can be visited in Bogotá where typical and international food can be enjoyed. The G Zone, La Candelaria and the International Centre are some of the main sectors where a number of international restaurants are found. Typical dishes of Bogotá include the Ajiaco, a delightful soup prepared with chicken, a variety of potatoes, cob, and "guascas" (a spice), usually served with sour cream and capers. 

Tamal is a very traditional dish here. Colombian tamal is a paste made with rice, meat or chicken, chickpea, carrot, and spices, wrapped in plantain leaves and steam cooked.

Figs with arequipe, strawberries with cream, postre de natas and cuajada con melao are some of the main desserts offered in the city. Canelazo is a hot drink from the Altiplano prepared with aguapanela, cinnamon and aguardiente.

Sports & Recreation

►The "Nemesio Camacho el Campin" Stadium.

► The District Institute for Recreation and Sport promotes recreation, sports and use of the parks in Bogotá.

►  The Football has been declared a symbol of Bogotá, and is widely played in the city. Colombian professional Football is popular. There are three professional clubs in the city, Millonarios, La Equidad, and Santa Fe. The main football stadium is the Estadio Nemesio Camacho El Campin (known as the Campin Stadium), which is the headquarters of the Colombia national Football team.

►  Other major sporting venues are the covered Coliseum El Campin, the aquatic complex of Parque Simón Bolívar, the Sports Palace, and the El Salitre Sports venue which includes the Velódromo Luis Carlos Galán and Diamond El Salitre ballpark.

Places to visit

Libraries and archives

In 2007 Bogotá was named World Book Capital by UNESCO. Bogotá is the first Latin American city to receive this recognition, and the second one in the Americas after Montreal. It stood out in programs, the library network and the presence of organizations that, in a coordinated manner, are working to promote books and reading in the city. Several specific initiatives for the World Book Capital program have been undertaken with the commitment of groups, both public and private, engaged in the book sector.

The city is home to the Biblored, an institution which administers 16 small and four large public libraries (Biblioteca Virgilio Barco, Biblioteca El Tintal, Biblioteca El Tunal and Biblioteca Julio Mario Santodomingo). It also has six branches of the Library Network of the Family Compensation Fund Colsubsidio and libraries and documentation centers attached to institutions like the Museo Nacional de Colombia (specializing in old books, catalogs and art), Museum of Modern Art in Bogotá, the Alliance Francaise, and the Centro Colombo Americano.

Libraries

•Virgilio Barco Library

•Luis Angel Arango Library

•Tintal Library

•Tunal Library

•Julio Mario Santodomingo Library

The National Library of Colombia (1777) under the Ministry of Culture and the Biblioteca Luis Angel Arango (1958) under the Bank of the Republic are the two largest public libraries in the city. The first is the repository of more than two million volumes, with an important collection of ancient books. The latter has almost two million volumes. 45 thousand square meters in size, it hosts 10 thousand visitors a day. Bank of the Republic depends also on the Library Alfonso Palacio Rudas, north of the city, with about 50 thousand volumes. Other large public libraries are the Library of Congress in Colombia (with 100 thousand volumes), of the Instituto Caro y Cuervo (with nearly 200 thousand volumes, the largest Latin American library in Philology and Linguistics), the Library of the Academy of History The Library of the Academy of Language, the Library of the Colombian Institute of Anthropology and History ICANH, and many university libraries.

Bogotá is home to historical records housed the General National Archive, a collection of about 60 million documents, one of the largest repositories of primary historical sources in Latin America. Bogotá is also home to the Musical Archive of the Cathedral of Bogotá (with thousands of books and choral song-colonial period), the Archdiocesan Archive, the Archive of the Conciliar Seminary of Bogotá, the Archive History National University of Colombia and the Archive of the Mint in Bogotá, under the Bank of the Republic.

Museums and galleries

•The city offers 58 museums and over 70 art galleries. The National Museum of Colombia has acquisitions divided into four collections: art, history, archeology and ethnography. The Gold Museum, with 35 thousand pieces of tumbaga gold, along with 30 thousand objects in ceramic, stone and textiles, represents the largest collection of pre-Columbian gold in the world.

•The Botero Museum has 123 works of Fernando Botero and 87 works by international artists.

•The Museum of Modern Art in Bogotá has a collection of graphic arts, industrial design and photography.

•The Museum of Colonial Art is home to an important collection of colonial art from Colombia. Fundación Gilberto Alzate Avendaño hosts activities related to the performing 
arts and shows temporary exhibits of art in its halls and galleries.

•Among the scientific museums are the Archeological Museum - Casa del Marqués de San Jorge, which has about 30 thousand pieces of pre-Columbian art, Instituto de Ciencias Naturales (UN), one of the four largest museums of natural sciences in Latin America, and the Geological Museum, which has a collection specializing in Geology and Paleontology.

•Gold Museum

•Bogotá has historical museums like the Casa Museo Jorge Eliecer Gaitan, the Museum of Independence (Museo de la Independencia), the Quinta de Bolivar and the Casa Museo Francisco José de Caldas, as well as the headquarters of Maloka and the Children's Museum of Bogotá. New museums include the Art Deco and the Museum of Bogotá.

TOO MANY/ MUCH…. ENOUGH

•In Bogota there are too many people of different places of Colombia

•In Bogotá there are enough malls

•Bogotá it’s a beautiful city too

•In Bogotá there are too many kinds of dishes of food

•In Bogotá there are too many restaurants.

•In Bogotá there are too many parks. 

•In Bogotá there aren’t enough green spaces.

•Bogotá don’t have enough amusement parks.