Neiva, Administrative capital in Huila Department, Colombia
Description
Neiva is the capital of Huila Department in south-central Colombia, sitting in the Magdalena River valley at 442 meters (1,450 feet) elevation. The city spreads between gentle hills and the river, with broad streets running through residential and commercial districts and several parks along the waterfront.
History
Diego de Ospina founded the city in 1612 at its current location after two earlier settlement attempts nearby had failed. The riverside position enabled trade and connections to other regions, supporting growth during the 18th and 19th centuries.
Culture
The name comes from an indigenous language and refers to the snow-capped mountains of the region. Visitors notice the influence from different periods in the architecture around the central square, where residents gather in the late afternoon.
Practical
Benito Salas Airport sits outside the city center and offers connections to major cities within Colombia. Most visitors explore on foot or use local taxis, as the main points of interest lie close together in the central districts.
Did you know?
The surrounding fields produce cotton, rice, corn, and sesame, making the city an important distribution point for these goods. Traders from smaller towns come here regularly to buy and sell agricultural products.
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Estadio Guillermo Plazas Alcid
1.2 km
Immaculate Conception Cathedral, Neiva
266 mHuila Regional Archaeological Museum
1.3 kmNeiva National Telegraph and Post Office Building
8.1 kmLac El Juncal
11.7 km
Church of the Immaculate Conception, Neiva
143 mPlaza Cívica Los Libertadores
429 mDesert Tatacoa
36.5 kmColiseo de Ferias Aipe
32.9 kmObservatorio Astronomico de Tatacoa
36.5 kmSand Banks
36.5 kmEstoraque La Torre
36.5 kmSendero de los Xilopalos
40.1 kmFossils
35.8 kmClub Campestre de Neiva
10 kmPiscina mineral
39.4 kmTeatro Pigoanza
311 mParque ecologico Santa Rosalina
18.8 kmToboganes
12.6 kmTobogan Rio Lento
12.5 kmScenic viewpoint
821 mMirador desierto rojo
36.4 kmLos Hoyos - Desierto Gris
39.2 kmLos Hoyos
39.3 kmLab
36.3 kmAntiguo ojo del desierto
36.4 kmScenic viewpoint
34.4 kmMirador Noches de París
14.4 km
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