Bogotá, Capital city in Eastern Cordillera, Colombia
Bogotá is the capital of Colombia and lies on a high plateau surrounded by green mountains that sometimes disappear into clouds. Brick buildings stand next to glass facades and narrow streets lead from modern neighborhoods to older zones with low houses and painted walls.
Spanish conquerors founded the settlement in 1538 on the site of Bacatá, the main center of the Chibcha people. Centuries later it became the political center after independence from colonial rule in the early 19th century.
On Sundays the Carrera Séptima closes to cars and cyclists share the road with families walking or jogging together. In the barrios people hang out in small cafés where tinto coffee comes in tiny cups and conversations get loud and animated.
The TransMilenio runs on dedicated lanes through the city connecting terminals with residential areas and the airport. Mornings and evenings get crowded on buses and roads so plan extra time if you need to move around.
The city sits almost exactly on the equator but because of the altitude over 2600 meters (8500 feet) the weather stays cool and mild all year. Locals often say you can experience all four seasons in a single day especially when rain comes suddenly and then disappears again.
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