Girardot

Girardot is a Colombian municipality in the department of Cundinamarca located in the Province of Alto Magdalena, of which it is the capital. It is located 134 km southwest of Bogotá.

Girardot is one of the most important municipalities in the department of Cundinamarca due to its population, higher education centers, economy and urban extension. It is also one of the cities with the most influx of tourists and floating population in the country. Girardot forms a conurbation together with the municipalities of Flandes and Ricaurte, which have a population of 144,248 inhabitants.

History

In pre-Columbian times, the Girardot territory was inhabited by the Panche indigenous people.

The municipality was born with the hamlet of "La Chivatera", since the raising of goats or chivas was very common in the place, in the jurisdiction of the municipality of Tocaima, for which there are documentary data dated 1840 place called "Paso de Flandes", an obligatory course for the passage of the Magdalena River on the path to the south west and the center of the country, in which the aforementioned settlement was created.

Due to its strategic position, the township had gradual growth, and, thanks to the donation of the land that the municipality occupies today by Messrs. Ramón Bueno and José Triana, the municipality was founded with the name Girardot, in honor of the General Atanasio Girardot, with ordinance 20 of October 9, 1852, which reads: "...a parish district is created with the name of Girardot...". The first district mayor was Claudio Clavijo. It was in 1866 when the parish was created (reported in the Gaceta de Cundinamarca no. 407 of July 7, 1891), with its first parish priest being the priest José Marcelino Pardo.

The city began to develop through a checkerboard layout around the Plaza de San Miguel, where the church of the same name is located, built with neo-Gothic architecture.

It is recorded that the first hotel founded in the city in response to the felt need for shelter for the flow of travelers and merchants was the Hotel Cisneros, in 1884. Two years after this event, the population of the port It was 2,163 inhabitants. With the War of a Thousand Days, a large number of liberal refugees from the south and east of Tolima settled in Girardot.

After the end of the Thousand Days Civil War, the city begins to progress, avenues begin to be laid out, commercial activity grows rapidly and more neighborhoods begin to form. In 1903, through Law 22, the parish district of Girardot became the head of the province, made up of the municipalities of Girardot, Guataquí, Jerusalem, Nariño, Nilo and Tocaima.

The strategic position of Girardot turned the municipality into one of the most important ports on the Magdalena River and the most important in the interior of the country, through which all merchandise leaving and entering the city of Bogotá passed. In addition to that, Girardot became the most important port for the departure of Colombian coffee abroad from the municipality of Viotá as the first coffee producing territory in Colombia, and the coffee threshing industry was largely concentrated in the city.. Likewise, the township of Flandes, on the other side of the Magdalena River, was so involved in the commercial movement that its growth converted it into a municipality in 1912.

With the decline of river navigation in the country and the proliferation of rail transport, Girardot continued to be the strategic point connecting a large part of the country with the capital, and that led to the construction of the Sabana Railway between Girardot and Facatativá and later to Bogotá. Later, this would connect with the Pacific Railway (Colombia). As a consequence of this, the city began a new trend of urban growth, leaving aside the Magdalena River and concentrating on the railway lines. Today the railway lines and national railway buildings of the city and the municipality of Flanders are part of the national heritage.

In the 1940s and 1950s, very important aid was decreed for the construction of the market square, the Tocarema Hotel and the fairground; The fire brigade was also equipped, new aqueduct and sewage networks were laid out, while the paving of most of the streets was advanced.

Girardot and Flanders marked the history of aviation in Colombia with the first flight in the country by Scadta (today Avianca), on October 19, 1920, from Barranquilla to Girardot over the Magdalena River. The flight was carried out by pilot Helmuth van Krohn. Later, with the construction of the Santiago Vila Airport in Flanders, which before the Techo airport existed in Bogotá served as a bridge connecting the city and the rest of the country. In 1921 the routes between the cities of Barranquilla, Girardot and Neiva were established; On July 23, 1929, regular routes between Girardot and Bogotá were established.

With the fall of railway communications in the country, the city declines economically but once again its conditions and its strategic location of proximity to the capital of the country, and with a pleasant climate and landscape, becomes a place of recreation and summer vacation of the capital's residents. This is how the economy focuses on the tourism sector, creating large infrastructure for accommodation, recreation and rest inside and outside the city. This new economic dynamic generates greater urban growth, extending the city through the exit roads and mainly on the old Pan-American highway, which crossed the city. It is at that time when the growth of the old township of Ricaurte was elevated to the status of municipality in 1968, separating Casa.

Geography

Girardot is a city with a warm climate, which has allowed it to develop a great diversity of tourist offers. In the morning hours its climate ranges between 20 and 28 degrees; in the afternoon, between 30 and 34 degrees, and at night around 27 degrees, thanks to the cool breeze coming from the Magdalena River, so the average annual temperature is 27.8 °C.

The municipal seat is at an altitude of 290 m above sea level. n. m., but its territory, of 150 km², covers 70% of mountainous relief that reaches 1000 m above sea level. n. m., given that it is located at a vertex of the Colombian Eastern Cordillera. The maximum temperature recorded in the history of Girardot was 42.3 °C, and the minimum was 9.8 °C.

Municipal Limits

Girardot is delimited to the south by the department of Tolima and the rest by its neighbors from its own department:

Northwest: Nariño	North: Tocaima	Northeast: Tocaima
West: Nariño		This: Ricaurte (Río Bogotá)
Southwest: Coello ( Tolima) (Roo Magdalena)	South: Flanders ( Tolima) (Roo Magdalena)	Sureste: Ricaurte (Río Bogotá)

Political-Administrative Division

Its municipal seat is divided into the communes: Center (1), South (2), West (3), North (4) and East (5).

Girardot has the following population centers under its jurisdiction:

• Barzalosa
• Berlin
• Piedmont

Pathways

In addition, the municipality is made up of the following paths:

President, Guabinal Cerro, Guabinal Plano, Agua Blanca, Santa Helena, Potrerillo, San Lorenzo and Acapulco.

Symbols

Flag

The Girardot flag is made up of three horizontal stripes, with red, which occupies half of the flag, representing the blood shed by soldiers in the Thousand Days War. The remaining half is occupied by white, which grants the peace and purity of the people, and green, the plains and meadows that surround the municipality.

Shield

On the occasion of the Centennial of its election as a Parish District, on October 9, 1952, the municipality was given a coat of arms, the description of which is as follows: Shield of Spanish shape, half split and curtained, with border and emblem, embraced by an eagle. In the right canton a cogwheel that means progress, superimposed on a caduceus. In the sinister canton a walking bull. In the lower field or at the top, the railway bridge in perspective. The border has four wide crosses, with small arms, three in chief and one in point; It also brings two segments of coffee that rise from the tip towards the head. The motto that circulates the head of the eagle bears the legend "ALWAYS FORWARD."

Tree of the municipality

Girardot is also called "City of Acacias", because these trees are planted in its streets, which give their shade to the municipality and protect it from the strong rays of the sun. Although over time their number was reduced in favor of other non-native species such as the almond tree, the neem tree, or the common palm, they have recently been reintroduced in spaces such as the Unicentro park and the Youth Park.

Girardot stands out for the traveler since some of the old trees in representative neighborhoods such as Las Quintas, Sucre or Gaitán, are planted and erect in the streets, and not on the sidewalks or public corridors, as is usually the case.

Economy

The main economic activities of Girardot are tourism and commerce (formal and informal). The city has a good hotel and recreation infrastructure, highlighting vacation condominiums, large-capacity recreational centers, restaurants, nightclubs and ecotourism institutions.

In addition to this tourist dynamic there is agroindustrial activity, of which the production of oilseed crops (corn, sesame, sorghum), cereals, cotton and coffee stands out, and in the livestock sector the production of meat.

Due to the annual extension of the tourist dynamic, and because it is the capital of the Province of Alto Magdalena, commerce has an important movement, especially of agricultural and artisan products. Commercial activity takes place mainly in the city center, where the Market Square is located. Also in the commercial median and in the area of influence of Parque de Bolívar, where the municipal government buildings are located.

Girardot has several shopping centers, such as Unicentro, open since November 2014, with approximately 150 stores, 4 movie theaters, food courts, and a games room. The shopping center is located in the northeast of the city, known for being the area of urban expansion, exactly between the Blanco, La Magdalena, San Jorge and Kennedy neighborhoods, the latter with a high population density. Others such as the El Parque Shopping Center, Oasis, Pasaje Real, Bahía, San Andresito La 14, with fewer commercial premises than Unicentro, but at the same time striking for the products they offer at affordable prices for citizens.

Clusters

The Girardot Competitiveness Plan 2007-2019 carried out in agreement by the Chambers of Commerce of Bogotá and Girardot demonstrates, based on a diagnostic study prepared by the University of Cundinamarca Girardot Section, two important clusters in the city.

The main cluster in the region is Tourism. Girardot is the first tourist destination in central Colombia, and has the hotel infrastructure and settings necessary to carry out large projects of this type. The conglomeration of companies and MSMEs that make up this important cluster is due to the following economic activities:

• Hotels, hostels and residences
• Travel agencies
• Tourist companies
• Restaurants
• Holiday and recreational centres
• Museums (mainly archaeological)

The second Girardot cluster is the academic one, made up of institutions that contribute to the quality of Cundinamarca education. Girardot has become the second most important academic center in Cundinamarca after Bogotá, thanks to the presence of four universities.

In addition to these clusters, Girardot develops a very important commercial dynamic, and in the entertainment sector, carrying out several television and film productions in the municipality.

Mobility

Girardot is reached via National Route 40 through Soacha to the northeast and through Ibagué to the west and from Neiva via RN 45 to the south, all converging through the neighboring municipality of Flandes, from which it continues along Avenida Carrera 24 towards the municipalities. Cundinamarca from the Magdalena River north to Puerto Bogotá in Guaduas. There is also a connection with Soacha through the road with the riverside municipalities of the Bogotá River.

Airport

Santiago Vila Airport is the airport that provides service to the Girardot metropolitan area. It is located 3.1 km from Girardot in the municipality of Flandes, in the department of Tolima. This airport has moderate cargo and passenger transportation activity, carrying out flights to different destinations in the interior of the country. The airport was built to serve the city of Girardot, but due to its ups and downs it was not advisable to do it inside the city, taking the plain of Flanders as a great option.

In October 2008, it was proposed that the Airport begin to be expanded and modernized with an investment of 130 million dollars, assumed by the Governments of Cundinamarca and Tolima with the Mayors of Girardot, Flandes, Ricaurte and Agua de Dios, in addition of national and international private entities, a situation that as of November 2014 was never executed and due to poor administration, Civil Aeronautics resumed the administration of this airport and the realization of said investments.

The Airport, which is expected to be complementary to cargo, would have a 10,000 m² platform, a 1,500 meter cargo terminal, a fire station and improved access roads.

The EasyFly airline began operations with charter flights at the terminal on June 11, 2010 with BAe Jetstream 41 aircraft with capacity for 30 passengers, bound for the city of Bogotá; The operation was canceled in November 2011 due to low occupancy and lack of support in the community. Previously, in 1992 in a first attempt and later in 2003, Aires carried out flights between Bogotá and Girardot in Bandeirante airplanes for 19 passengers, and Dash 8 with 35 seats.

Aerosucre, the country's main cargo airline, had great interest in extending its lines to this air terminal. The directives were interested in purchasing more than 10 hectares of land adjacent to the airport to move their aircraft maintenance center from El Dorado to Santiago Vila, but due to the lack of management of the airport infrastructure and surrounding areas by the governorates of Tolima and Cundinamarca, this could not be done.

Education

Girardot has schools that stand out within the Alto Magdalena region due to their academic level, some of the most notable are: Colegio Espíritu Santo Marianista, which is classified as superior by the ICFES; the La Presentación school, also rated as superior, as well as the American School; the La Fraternidad School, rated by the ICFES as at the “high” level, as well as the Club De Leones Industrial Technical Military School. The above schools are private in nature. The notable public schools are the Escuela Normal Superior María Auxiliadora and the Manuel Elkin Patarroyo school. The city has a mega-school called Francisco Manzanera Henríquez, located diagonally to the municipal stadium, managed by the mayor's office; This school has benefited thousands of young people from Commune 3 of the city. Another mega-school is the Atanasio Girardot Educational Institution, which already has the plans and the person in charge of the work. This institution is located in the northern area of Girardot; Several well-known figures of the city have studied there.

Higher Education

Girardot has the headquarters of several universities of national importance: University of Cundinamarca, National Open and Distance University (UNAD), National Learning Service (SENA), Piloto University of Colombia, Minuto de Dios University Corporation (Uniminuto), University del Tolima (IDEAD), School of Arts and Letters, CECTE, FUNDEMAG and San Mateo University Foundation.

Places of interest

Magdalena River: It is the main river artery of the country and a natural and historical attraction of Girardot, where you can carry out activities such as contemplation navigation, artisanal fishing and spas. In past decades, it was the support that allowed Girardot to constitute one of the main river ports through which the Bogotá River flows and merchandise sent from Barranquilla to Bogotá arrived and through which export coffee from the center of the country was shipped.

Railway Bridge: This imposing metal bridge, inaugurated on January 1, 1930, is the oldest of the current bridges and an undisputed symbol that identifies Girardot. This work was carried out by German engineers who built the bridge in a record time of almost three years. It cost $1,300,000 and measures approximately 466 meters. At the time it allowed the communication of the Sabana Railway with those of Tolima, Huila and Valle, contributing to the economic development of the region.

Vehicle Bridge: The Mariano Ospina Pérez Bridge (Girardot) is a suspension bridge over the Magdalena River built during the government of President Mariano Ospina Pérez. For many years it was an obligatory passage between Bogotá and the cities of the south-east of Colombia.

Islas del Sol: Towards the south of the Magdalena River there are some stone islands, in a natural landscape and ideal as a place of relaxation, recreation and contact with nature, these islands are located above the mouth of the Bogotá River; When the flow of this river increases, the islands remain under water.

Market Square: Designed and built by Leopoldo Rother, it is a National Monument because it belongs to one of the most relevant works of modern architecture in completely tropical contexts. Construction began in 1946 using the latest technology of the time; It consists of a structure with 198 concrete membranes that were used as covers and a "V" with invisible beams. The structure does not have closing walls, which allows it to take advantage of the breeze generated by the Magdalena River. It was completed in 1948. Although it is currently deteriorated, its restoration is expected. It is located in the Plaza de San Miguel.

Bolívar Park and Railway Plaza: Urban spaces that have rich vernacular architecture and adaptation to the tropical environment, where commercial and craft spaces, meeting places for citizens and tourists are found. looking for fun.

Municipal Stadium: Luis Antonio Duque Peña Stadium.

El Arbolito Viewpoint: Located in the rural area of Girardot, it is an ideal place to come into contact with nature and to observe the panoramic view of Girardot and surrounding municipalities. To get there you have to go to the stadium, then follow the old road to the municipality of Nariño, whichever is preferable: bicycle, on foot or by vehicle, go up approximately 8 km and reach the El Arbolito farm. There is also a swimming pool for recreational use.

Alto de las Rosas Viewpoint: Located in the El Alto neighborhood of Girardot, it is an ideal place to make visual contact and to observe the panoramic view of Girardot and the municipality of Ricaurte, from there you can see Santiago Vila Airport.

Events

The main events that take place throughout the year are the following:

Culture

• National Craft and Microenterprise Market: Event in which the great artisans of the country meet with their different samples. It is celebrated in the middle of October, around the National Tourism Queen.

• Rio Festival: One of the most important festivals in the city, in which its inhabitants make an annual recognition to the Magdalena River with canoeing, canoes, swimming and tires. It is held in June.

• Cup for Life and Freedom: International March Bandas Tournament. Its first version was held on Sunday, 14 September 2008 (year against global hunger). The second version was held on Sunday, 13 September 2009 (year against infanticide). In this tournament are grouped the best Bandas of the country and other nations for a purpose of social re-engineering through music.

• Birthdays of the municipality: Every October 9, the traditional parade is held with schools, the municipal administration and the community in general. The parade starts from El Alto de la Cruz Park (since it was the first neighborhood founded in the municipality) and ends in Bolivar Park. The night before is the traditional serenade to the municipality.
• 'Festival Batalla de Carnavales'

National Festival, where the winning artist companies of the main carnivals, fairs and festivals meet, to compete for the National title and take home the "Boga de oro", honor of the Magdalena River. The first version was carried out in 2016, for 2019 it will be held in the month of September, with the purpose of uniting the festivities of the National Reign of Tourism with this event organized by PRODETUGIR (Tourism Promoter de Girardot), a private company in the municipality.

Reigns

• National Queen of Tourism: The most important event that takes place not only in the city but in the Department of Cundinamarca, where the representatives of most regions of the country meet on the day of the Race. The National Tourism Queen is the second most important of Colombia, and the winner will be contested at El Reinado Internacional Del Turismo.

• Tourist Festival - Queen Miss Girardot: Traditional parties in the city that culminate in the election of Miss Girardot. It is held at the end of June for the holiday bridge of San Pedro and is the beginning of the festivities that takes place in mid-October in relation to the International Queen of Tourism.
• Veredal Queen: organized by the municipal government with the aim of highlighting the beauty of peasant women.

Sports

• International Athletic Race Girardot City: One of the most important careers of the national calendar. It is celebrated in the first days of February and is one of the most important in the country. There are athletes from various places in Colombia and the world to compete.
• In 2004 he was a sub-sede of the National Sports Games, which allowed the refurbishment of the Luis Antonio Duque Peña stadium.
• Girardot Football Club: The municipality had its own professional football team, which played in the First B between 1995 and 2008. In 2010 arrives Atlético Juventud Girardot, who used to be called Juventud Soacha, from the same city.
• In December 2009, Girardot was the headquarters of the First Communal National Games of Colombia.
• The eighth stop of the South American beach volleyball circuit was held from 7 to 9 June 2013.
• The Classic City of Girardot, which takes place annually, is a cycling test that brings together athletes of national and international size.
• On March 21, 2015 the city of the acacias is joined by the first extreme high-performance center of the country and South American, where sports such as the BMX, skateboarding, among others.
• The current municipal administration (2016-2019) has led the use of the bicycle through the activity called "Friday in Bicycle", which consists of bringing together the citizens to carry out a tour of the main streets of the city. The route starts every Friday from 6:00 pm in the Youth Park, every week it is organized by the different dependencies of the municipal palace.

In recent years, new sports have emerged such as ultimate, which consists of throwing a saucer or 'frisbee'. The idea was born thanks to some young people from the city who wanted to change the current sports paradigm.

Religion

The majority of the population of Girardot is Catholic Christian, although there are minorities of other confessions. The Diocese of Girardot, belonging to the Ecclesiastical Province of Bogotá, was created, separating it in its entirety from the Archdiocese of Bogotá, by the Bull Quandocumque tan ample of Pope Pius XII, on May 29, 1956.

It has an area of 4,502 square km, an approximate population that exceeds 100,000 inhabitants. The coverage of this Diocese covers the municipalities of Girardot, Agua de Dios, Anolaima, Anapoima, Apulo, Arbeláez, Beltrán, Bituima, Cabrera, Tibacuy, Cachipay, Mesitas del Colegio, Fusagasugá, Guataquí, Jerusalem, La Mesa, Nariño, Nilo, Venice, Pandi, Pasca, Pulí, Quipile, San Bernardo, San Juan de Rioseco, San Antonio del Tequendama, Tena, Silvania, Tocaima, Vianí and Viotá.

Some of the Catholic rite temples are:

• Cathedral of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
• San Miguel Parish.
• Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish.
• St. Paul Apostle Parish.
• Our Lady of Annunciation Parish.
• Parish San Antonio de Padua.
• Parish of the Holy Family.
• Parish of the Lord of Miracles.
• Parish Risen Christ.
• Parish Our Lady of Carmen.
• Holy Spirit parrot.
• Parish Mary Mother of God.

Illustrious Girardoteños

• Agustín Aljure: lawyer and politician.
• Felipe Aljure: film director and screenwriter.
• Gustavo Bolívar: writer, journalist, screenwriter and politician.
• Rómulo Caicedo: Musician, composer and guitarist.
• Martha Catalina Daniels: lawyer and politician.
• Marta Gómez: singer and guitarist.
• Nancy Patricia Gutiérrez: lawyer and politics.
• Carlos Alberto Mariño Sabogal: militar.
• Juan Felipe Osuna: footballer.
• Javier Ramírez Espinosa: singer and actor.
• Ronaldo Tavera: footballer.
• Hernando Tovar: footballer.
• Charlie Zaa: singer.

Artists

Singers and directors of television series have been born in the city, such as Carlos Alberto Sánchez, whose stage name is Charlie Zaa. Born on January 30, 1974, he is a renowned bolero singer. His musical career has been successful to the point of having worked with important musicians such as Jon Secada, among others. He was a member of Grupo Niche.

Another Girardoteño artist is the renowned writer, screenwriter and senator-elect, Gustavo Bolívar, famous for his novels Gangs, war and peace, Without tits there is no paradise and < i>El Capo. The theme of the three works has been the apology of social problems in Colombia such as drug trafficking and prostitution.

Rómulo Caicedo was a renowned singer-songwriter born in Girardot, considered one of the best performers and singer-songwriters of popular music.

Likewise, Girardot is the city of origin of Julián Guzmán, a renowned percussionist in the music scene of Melbourne, Australia. In this city, Guzmán has become known as a skilled and flexible musician, being part of various groups such as: Los Parceros, Funkalleros, Terra Sur, Meyiwa, and Butter Scotch Blonde. His eclectic style and technical mastery of percussion have allowed him to explore a diversity of musical genres, ranging from ska, reggae and rock, to cumbia and vallenato. Likewise, Guzmán has participated in important music festivals inside and outside the city. His participation in festivals such as the St Kilda Festival, the Darebin Festival, the Brunswick Festival and the Falls Festival stand out.