About Manizales
ABOUT MANIZALES
Manizales lies in the Caldas Department region of Colombia.According to the latest stats, Manizales has a population of 357,819. It is located in the America/Bogota timezone.
Manizales is a city and municipality in central Colombia, capital of Department of Caldas and part of the region of Colombian Coffee-Growers Axis, near the Nevado del Ruiz volcano.
Nowadays the city is the main center for the production of Colombian coffee and an important hub for higher educational institutions.
Geography
Manizales is the capital city of one of the smallest Colombian departments. The city is described as having "abrupt topography"; it is built in a mountain region with a number of ridgelines and steep slopes. Combined with the seismic instability of the area, this has required architectural adaptations and public works to make the city safer. Even though Manizales has a very difficult topography, there are many coffee plantations in these fertile lands. The city is located in the north of the Colombian Coffee-Growers Axis ("Eje Cafetero"), near the volcano Nevado del Ruiz, which has an altitude of about 5,321 meters.
It is in the basin of the Rio Chinchiná and subbasin of the Guacaica River. Natural threats are earthquakes, mud slides, and volcanic eruptions.
Climate
Under the Koppen climate classification, Manizales features a subtropical highland climate. Despite being located in the tropics, due to its high altitude, the city seldom gets very hot during the course of the year. It features spring-like temperatures throughout the year. Because of its tropical location, there are only two seasons in the city; the wet and dry seasons that alternate troughout the year with each lasting about three months. Monthly averages are quite uniform, with an annual mean of 16.6 °C (61.9 °F). Manizales receives about 1,500 millimetres (59 in) of precipitation a year, with October being wettest.
History
Manizales was founded October 12, 1849, in the middle of a civil war between bipartisan followers; Liberals against Conservatives. The city was founded by a group of twenty Antioquians (The Expedition of the 20), who came from Neira and Salamina. There is a strong Spanish influence in the culture and the population was very homogeneous, mostly whites, until other races and ethnic groups migrated to the city in search of the outstanding universities. Tango is a big deal to enjoy in the city and there is also a new appetite for jazz.
Economy
Manizales' economy is based on coffee production and processing, steel and other metal manufactures, car parts manufacturing, food industry and educational services. In the last ten years Manizales has developed facilities and trained personnel for call centers.
Culture
The Cathedral of Manizales
The most important cultural events held in the city are:
the International Festival of Theater of Manizales, which is one of the major theater events in Latin America
The Manizales Jazz Festival which gather jazz musicians from all over the world, which is held annually.
The Manizales Fair was born in 1951 with the first centenary of the city. It began with the presentation of grand bullfights and with typical "Manolas" parade (Spanish parade). Due to its hospitality, more shows and presentations have been brought into the Fair, such as International Coffee Beauty Pageant which together with the bullfighting season turn into the main events of the Fair. Currently within the fair you can enjoy activities as: horseback riding Parades, typical Presentations, "trova" Concerts, other parades, National and International Musicians and Bands, Expositions, and Cultural shows. The "Feria de Manizales" (Manizales Fair) is the second biggest celebration in the country, after the Barranquilla Carnival.
Museums
Gold museum of the Banco de la Republica
Museum of Natural History Universidad de Caldas
Museum of Art Universidad de Caldas
Archaeological Museum Universidad de Caldas
Botanical Garden Universidad de Caldas
Natural Museum of Histories CC
Museum of Science and the Game Universidad Nacional de Colombia
The Cathedral of Manizales, a neo-Gothic church
Cathedral of Manizales, the third tallest in Latin America, at 113 meters
Nevado del Ruiz Natural Park (with caves and snow)
Thoughts Recinct Park (El Recinto del Pensamiento)
Los Yarumos Ecological Park
Ruiz Hot Springs ("Thermal Waters")
Otún Hot Springs ("Thermal Waters")
La Rochela
Santágueda
Simon Bolivar Park
(Francisco Jose de) Caldas Park
Rustic Club
Manizales Club
Route of Nereidas
Route to Neira
Route of Rioclaro
Route of Chinchiná
Route of La Cabaña
Murillo Route
Route of "Cerro Bravo"
Paramo Cocteles
Periodic events
Annual Fair of Manizales (Feria de Manizales) [January]
Bullfighting Season of Manizales [January]
International Coffee Beauty Pageant [January]
Image Festival [April]
International Theater Festival [September/October]
Manizales Jazz Festival [September/October]
National Argentine Tango Festival
Education
Manizales is an important regional cultural and educational center. It has more universities per capita than any other city in Colombia. The city has a student population of some 30,000 people that attend to 6 colleges and universities:
Universidad Nacional de Colombia
Universidad Autónoma de Manizales
Universidad Católica de Manizales
Transportation
Travel around by bus costs approximately 900 COP to 1300 COP (between 40 and 90 cents US). To get around by taxi is quite cheap: a minimum fee of 2,900 COP (about 1.50 dollar US). Travel by bus to nearby cities is also fairly cheap; for example a bus ride to Medellin, a city 4 or 5 hours away, costs 32,000 COP one way (about $15 US).