Bucaramanga, Capital city in Santander Department, Colombia
Bucaramanga is the capital of Santander Department and sits on a plateau in the Cordillera Oriental of the Andes at roughly 3,100 feet (950 m) above sea level. More than 160 parks spread across the urban area and shape the cityscape between residential neighborhoods and commercial streets.
The city was founded in 1622 as a settlement focused on gold mining and developed through indigenous and Spanish influences. The arrival of German merchants in the 1860s transformed the commercial structure and allowed the city to grow into a major urban center of the region.
The Gabriel Turbay Public Library hosts artistic programs throughout the year and regularly invites residents and visitors to cultural events. Walking through the streets reveals architecture from different centuries and shows how urban life unfolds between historic neighborhoods and newer residential areas.
The Metrolinea bus system connects urban and suburban areas and makes it easier to move around the city. Palonegro International Airport offers domestic and international connections and lies about half an hour by road from the downtown area.
Local cuisine includes the hearty stew mute santandereano and during certain months hormigas culonas, roasted ants high in protein. These insects have been part of regional food culture for a long time and appear in markets and restaurants as a snack.
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