Montería is a municipality and city located in Northern Colombia, capital of the Department of Cordoba. The city is located 50 KM (30 Miles) away from the Caribbean Sea, by the Sinú River. The city and region are famous for their distinct cultural heritages, which include a blend of indigenous Zenú Indians, African descendants, colonial Spanish descendants, and most recently, Arab immigrants. The city is home to the Sombrero Vueltiao, a national symbol; and is the home of Porro folklore music. The city has an inland seaport connected to the Caribbean Sea by the Sinú River.

History

The area was first settled by Zenú Indians, who lived in the banks of the Sinú River (Finzenú), San Jorge River (Panzenú) and Nechí River (Zenúfana), where the Department of Cordoba is located today. In 2003, dentist and historian Jaime Castro released Historia Extensa de Montería, a book on the history of the city. According to Castro's book, Montería was founded on May 1, 1777 by Spanish officer Antonio de la Torre y Miranda, being governor of the Province of Cartagena officer Juan de Torrezar Díaz Pimienta. The city, that had been named Montería by its inhabitants and located on the east side of the Sinú river, was then renamed "San Jerónimo de Buenavista" and moved to the west side of the Sinú.

San Jerónimo de Buenavista was the name chosen by Antonio de la Torre y Miranda, in order to honor Saint Jeronimo, but people kept calling it Montería. In 1803 the city was burned by a group of natives, so the residents decided to move back to the Sinú's east bank, where it remains today. In the last few years Monteria has seen a growth in population on the west side. In 1923 it became a municipality of Bolívar Department and in 1952 it was designated as capital of the new Department of Córdoba. Montería was located within the boundaries of the Colombian Department of Bolívar until 1952 when it separated from Bolívar and became the capital of the new Department of Córdoba.

With a population of approximately 400,000, the city is considered to be one of the ten most important cities in Colombia and is locally known as La Perla del Sinú (The Pearl of the River Sinú). Monteria has gained notoriety lately for being the site of Colombian President Alvaro Uribe's vacation "finca" or ranch.

Media and Communications

News Media

• El Espectador (national weekly newspaper)
• El Heraldo de Barranquilla (regional newspaper)
• El Meridiano de Cordoba (Local Newspaper)
• El Tiempo (National Newspaper)
• El Universal (regional newspaper)

Economy

The town's economy is based mainly on cattle farming, and a very prosperous commercial district consisting of modern malls, shops, and restaurant chains. It is considered to be the Cattle Farming Capital of Colombia and celebrates this title with a yearly festival. Wealth is distributed unevenly with the majority in the hands of wealthy farmers.

Transportation

Monteria lies on a major highway connecting Medellín to Sincelejo and extending to Cartagena and Barranquilla. It has an effective public transportation system and arterial connections to the rest of the country.

Public Transportation

As is common in most Colombian municipalities, public transportation is tightly integrated into the city. A system of taxis and several lines of large and small buses serve the community on surface streets. The streets of Monteria are also full of motorcycle taxis or "mototaxis" that provide economical transportation.

A passenger-only ferry system known as " Planchones", consists of roofed wooden rafts. It traverses the Sinu river along a system of manual cable tows. It was made as a way to cross the river before a proper bridge could be built, and has served as an alternative to cross the river ever since. It is one of the most remarkable features of the city.

Water

The city is served by a fishing port but the waters of the Sinu river do not run deep enough and are not wide enough to serve as a commercial channel. High quality sand is brought up from the bottom of the river in buckets placed by divers, for use in the making of cinderblocks for local and regional construction projects.

Air Travel

Monteria is home to a regional airport, Los Garzones Airport, which provides service to capital cities of neighboring provinces and to the nations capital, Bogotá, though the country's main air carrier Avianca.

Demographics

The region is populated by a diverse mix of people, including the indigenous people of the region, the descendants of the Sinu Indians, a tribe of natives with their own language that once produced ornate pottery and goldworks.

Tourism and Entertainment

Hotels and Restaurants

• Hotel Sinú
• Costa Real
• Montería Real
• Alcázar
• Casa Real
• La Bonga del Sinu (Steakhouse)
• Que Pollo (Chicken)
• Hato Viejo (Steakhouse and Local Cuisine)
• La Fogata (Steakhouse and Local Cuisine)
• Piccola Italia (Italian Pizzeria)
• Braza Caribe
• El Bony (steakhouse and local cousine)
• La Bonga Express (gourmet hamburgers)
• Pollo Arana (Chicken)

Sites of Interest

There are scenic areas that are points of pride in Monteria, including:

• The city's 1st Avenue runs along the Sinú river and offers a beautiful view of the river.
• Simon Bolivar Park is separates the river from 1st Avenue and is home to wild Monkeys and Sloths.
• The Colonial-era Cathedral of Saint Jeronimo is surrounded by a beautiful park.
• "Alamedas del Sinu" is a major shopping center in the area.
• The bridge spanning the Sinu river was a major accomplishment for the city and is a local landmark.

Night Life

• La morena
• Savannah
• blue
• so hot bar

Sporting Clubs

• Centro Recreacional Tacasuán
• Club Campestre
• Club de golf

Geography

The city, which lies in the Sinú valley, is divided by the Sinu river and surrounded and sparsely populated by tropical flora and fauna. The town's weather is mainly warm and moderately humid, with average yearly temperatures of 27°C (80°F). The area is subject to flooding.

Education

Both public and private educational institutions run the gamut from unlicensed private preschools to fully accredited universities.

Universities

• Universidad de Córdoba ( website) (Public)
• Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana ( website) (Catholic)
• Universidad del Sinú
• Fundación Universitaria Luis Amigó
• Corporación Universitaria del Caribe

Health Care

A new hospital was recently constructed in Barrio Urbina, called The Hospital of Saint Jeronimo.

• Government Hospitals: 2
• Health Care Facilities: 17
• Health Care Clinics: 32
• Total Number of Beds: 204

• Number of Doctors: 87
• Number of Dentists/Othrodontists: 17
• Number of Nurses: 223

External Links and References

• El Meridiano De Cordoba - Local Paper (Spanish).
• Fact Sheet, Colombian Government
• Cordoba Official Government Website
• Monteria Official Government Website