Pereira
Viaduct César Gaviria Trujillo
Flag Seal
Nickname: La Querendona, Trasnochadora y Morena
Motto: Pereira con Vida
Location of the city and municipality of Pereira in Risaralda Department.
Country	Colombia
Department	Risaralda
Foundation	August 30, 1863
Government
- Mayor	Juan Manuel Arango
Area
- Metro	628 km² (242.5 sq mi)
Elevation	1,411 m (4,629 ft)
Population (2005 est.)
- Total	576,329
Website: City Official Site

The city of Pereira is the capital city of the Colombian department of Risaralda. It stands in the center of the western region of the country, located in a small valley that descends from a part of the western Andes mountain chain. Its strategic location in the coffee producing area makes the city an urban center in Colombia, as does its proximity to Bogotá, Cali and Medellín – and to the sea and the biggest airport in the whole area. In 2004 it reported a population of 576,329. Pereira is the Portuguese for pear tree. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Viaducto_g. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links Pereira_escudo. ... EXAMPLE:Laughbox,Blondie,BamBam,Pinkie,etc. ... For other uses, see Motto (disambiguation). ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 553 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (1785 × 1936 pixels, file size: 2. ... This is an alphabetical list of the sovereign states of the world, including both de jure and de facto independent states. ... Colombia is a unitary republic conformed by 32 departments (Spanish: departamentos, sing. ... Risaralda is a department of Colombia. ... is the 242nd day of the year (243rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1863 (MDCCCLXIII) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Tuesday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... A mayor (from the Latin māior, meaning larger, greater) is the modern title of the highest ranking municipal officer. ... This article is about the physical quantity. ... Elevation histogram of the surface of the Earth – approximately 71% of the Earths surface is covered with water. ... This article is about the unit of length. ... A foot (plural: feet or foot;[1] symbol or abbreviation: ft or, sometimes, ′ – a prime) is a unit of length, in a number of different systems, including English units, Imperial units, and United States customary units. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Colombia is a unitary republic conformed by 32 departments (Spanish: departamentos, sing. ... Motto: Capital Pereira Governor Area 4,140 km² Population  - Total (2003)  - Density   1,024,362 247 people/km² Adjective risaraldense Risaralda is a department of Colombia. ... Fljótsdalur in East Iceland, a rather flat valley In geology, a valley (also called a vale or dale) is a depression with predominant extent in one direction. ... This article is about the mountain system in South America. ... For other uses, see Mountain (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Coffee (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Bogotá (disambiguation). ... This article needs to be cleaned up to conform to a higher standard of quality. ... Nickname: Location of the city (urban in red) and municipality (dark gray) of Medellín in Antioquia Department. ...

History

The area of Pereira was inhabited, before European colonization, by the fierce Quimbaya tribes. They are famous for their artworks in gold, which are considered among the best productions of pre-Colombian America. The Spanish established their first settlement in the area around the year 1540. The town of Cartago was first founded here by Jorge Robledo and Diego de Mendoza, Spanish conquistadors; it was then moved around 1691 to the place where it is today. World map showing the Americas CIA political map of the Americas The Americas are the lands of the Western hemisphere or New World, consisting of the continents of North America[1] and South America with their associated islands and regions. ... Motto (Latin) Further Beyond Anthem  1(Spanish) Royal March Spain() – on the European continent() – in the European Union() Capital (and largest city) Madrid Official languages Spanish2 Demonym Spanish, Spaniard Government Constitutional monarchy  -  Head of State King Juan Carlos I  -  President of the Government Formation 15th century   -  Dynastic union 1516   -  Unification... Cartago is a town in Colombia, about 125 miles west of Bogotá. It is within the Valle del Cauca department (~state) and is located very close (20 minutes) drive from Pereira. ...

Much later, in 1816, the brothers José Francisco and Manuel Pereira took shelter in the area after the defeat of Simón Bolivar and his patriot army at the battle of Cachirí. Francisco Pereira Martinez wanted to found a city on this ground, which had protected him and his brother from the Spanish. On August 24, 1863, four days after his death, the priest Remigio Antonio Cañarte headed a caravan from Cartago, and founded the City of Pereira six days later (August 30) at the spot in the present "Plaza de Bolivar". Simón Bolívar Simón José Antonio de la Santísima Trinidad Bolívar y Palacios (July 24, 1783 – December 17, 1830) was a South American revolutionary leader. ... is the 236th day of the year (237th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1863 (MDCCCLXIII) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Tuesday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ...

In time, settlers from Antioquia occupied the area and established themselves in the city, which then emerged from the condition of an ambitious village. This is part of the Antioquian expansion which developed much of Colombia. Pereira was especially favored by its economically strategic location, fertile soil, and good weather. The settlers grew large quantities of high-quality coffee in the mineral-rich volcanic soil of the Andes; and it is still the most important crop produced in the area, which is in the center of the "coffee axis" (eje cafetero) region. Motto: Capital Medellín Governor Area 63,612 km² Population  - Total (2003)  - Density   5,750,478 90 people/km² Adjective antioqueño Antioquia was one of the states in the original United States of Colombia, and is now a department in the northwest part of the Republic of Colombia. ... For other uses, see Coffee (disambiguation). ...

Migrants have come to Pereira not only from Antioquia, but from Valle del Cauca, Bogotá, and other major Colombian cities. However, during the economic recession of 1999, and the low-growth years of 2000 and 2001, many Pereirans emigrated to the United States and Spain. Some particular neighborhoods, like the neighborhood called Cuba, are believed to average at least one member of the family living abroad. Motto: Capital Medellín Governor Area 63,612 km² Population  - Total (2003)  - Density   5,750,478 90 people/km² Adjective antioqueño Antioquia was one of the states in the original United States of Colombia, and is now a department in the northwest part of the Republic of Colombia. ... Valle del Cauca is a department of Colombia. ... For other uses, see Bogotá (disambiguation). ...

Popular culture

In addition, the first settlers created a festivity to promote the city, this celebration was made in the anniversary of the city (which conveniently coincided with the harvest), they decided to name it "Harvest Fest" (Fiestas de la cosecha); this festivity was promoted widely across the country, and, eventually became a major one, that generated several phrases that still survive in the lexic of Colombians as: "asi no vamos a llegar a ningún Pereira" (which could be translated as: this way, we're not going to arrive to Pereira, which is used to mean that the actions taken aren't useful to achieve a goal), "hicieron su Agosto" ("they made their August" meaning that someone made a really good deal, due that everyone used to sell all its merchandise at the festivities of the city).

Tranvía in the 50's

Image File history File linksMetadata Tranvia50s. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Tranvia50s. ...

Demographics

Map of the city of Pereira

Colombia has held no census since 1993, so the population is uncertain. In Pereira's case, this problem is more serious because so many Pereirans are living abroad. However, the Colombian national institute of statistics (DANE.gov.co) ran a Pereira-specific recount in 2004. Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (1024x502, 440 KB) Creator: The City of Pereira Owner: The City of Pereira Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1. ... Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (1024x502, 440 KB) Creator: The City of Pereira Owner: The City of Pereira Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1. ...

The population is believed to be approximately 576,329 inhabitants as of 2005, making it the sixth biggest city in Colombia. Pereira also has a twin city, Dosquebradas, some five minutes drive from the Plaza de Bolivar, which has approximately 200,000 inhabitants. Neighboring cities, Cartago(40 minutes away), La Virginia(40 min), and Santa Rosa de Cabal(60 min.) have another 210,000 inhabitants, for a total of about 986,000, making the area one of the most crowded urban areas in Colombia. Pereira, Dosquebradas and La Virginia comprise the Metropolitan Area. These three cities are connected via a massive transport system of articulated buses called Megabús; which is projected to be expanded later on to Cartago and Santa Rosa de Cabal. The first stage of the system was inaugurated on 21st of August 2006. Dosquebradas is the second largest city of Risaralda department, Colombia. ... Cartago is a town in Colombia, about 125 miles west of Bogotá. It is within the Valle del Cauca department (~state) and is located very close (20 minutes) drive from Pereira. ... Santa Rosa de Cabal is a city in the Risaralda Department, west central Colombia, on the western slopes of the Andean Cordillera (mountains) Central. ... Pereira´s new bus system Megabús was inaugurated on August 21th,2006. ...

Pereira´s new bus system "Megabús" was inaugurated the 21st of August 2006.

Image File history File linksMetadata 84050. ... Image File history File linksMetadata 84050. ... Pereira´s new bus system Megabús was inaugurated on August 21th,2006. ...

Points of interest

Plaza de Bolívar

Very famous because of the "Bolívar Desnudo" – Naked Bolívar monument. It is located in the main square in the center of the city in front of the cathedral, between 7th and 8th avenues. The area is the focus of commercial and financial activities. The most important activities in the city take place here. This article is about the South American independence leader. ...

Viaducto César Gaviria Trujillo

The César Gaviria Trujillo Viaduct is one of the proud symbols of the city along with El Bolívar Desnudo in its main square. Finished in 1998, it is one of the longest cable-stayed bridges in South America. The bridge is named in honor of the 40th president of Colombia, César Gaviria, who was born in Pereira. The viaduct has become a symbol of the cities of Pereira and Dosquebradas. ... A cable-stayed bridge is a bridge that consists of one or more columns (normally referred to as towers or pylons), with cables supporting the bridge deck. ... César Augusto Gaviria Trujillo (born March 31, 1947) is a Colombian politician and a Latin American stateman. ...

The bridge communicates Pereira with its neighboring city of Dosquebradas, and provides an important connection for road traffic between the cities of Armenia, Pereira and Manizales. Perera (meaning a pear tree) is a common surname in the Portuguese language. ... Motto: The city of open doors - World Capital of Coffee Location of the city and municipality of Manizales in the Department of Caldas. ...

Matecaña City Zoo

Lucy Tejada Cultural Center

The city zoo is the largest in Colombia and one of the largest in South America; it is internationally recognized for leading investigations in the preservation of animal life. There is a Natural History Museum inside the zoo. Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 796 × 599 pixelsFull resolution (2592 × 1952 pixels, file size: 743 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Picture captured by yussef90 on August,2005. ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 796 × 599 pixelsFull resolution (2592 × 1952 pixels, file size: 743 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Picture captured by yussef90 on August,2005. ... South America South America is a continent crossed by the equator, with most of its area in the Southern Hemisphere. ... For other uses, see Animal (disambiguation). ...

Transportation

• Matecaña International Airport

Matecaña International Airport (Spanish: Aeropuerto Internacional de Matecaña) (IATA: PEI, ICAO: SKPE) is an airport located in the city of Pereira, Colombia. ...

Sports

Pereira is home to a football (soccer) team, the Deportivo Pereira which plays in the Hernán Ramírez Villegas Stadium. This mulltifunctional stadium is able to host 35,000 people and is the main building in the Villa Olimpica neighborhood. It has hosted major soccer matches from Copa America and several international tournaments. A player (wearing the red kit) has penetrated the defence (in the white kit) and is taking a shot at goal. ... Deportivo Pereira is a professional soccer team of the Colombian city of Pereira. ... Estadio Hernan Ramirez Villegas is a multi-use stadium in Pereira, Colombia. ... The Copa América is the main national football competition of the CONMEBOL nations. ...

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Sister Cities

Pereira has 1 sister city, as designated by Sister Cities International, Inc. (SCI): Sign denoting twin towns of Neckarsulm, Germany Town twinning is a concept whereby towns or cities in geographically and politically distinct areas are paired with the goal of fostering human contact and cultural links. ...

Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Miami-Dade County (formerly known as Dade County and many times referred to as simply Miami) is a county located in the southeastern part of the state of Florida. ...

External links

• Pereira's official website (Spanish).
• Megabús´s official website (Spanish).
• PereiraInteractiva.com Web portal Regional of Pereira (Spanish).

The most read newspapers in Pereira are La Tarde and El Diario del Otun: For information regarding portals on Wikipedia, see Wikipedia:Portal. ...

• La Tarde newspaper (Spanish).
• El Diario del Otun (Spanish).
• Pereira (Spanish).
• Universidad Tecnologica (Spanish) - Pereira's leading university, which features a highly regarded engineering school

v • d • e Municipalities in the Risaralda Department
Apia • Balboa • Belén de Umbría • Dosquebradas • Guatica • La Celia • La Virginia • Marsella • Mistrato • Pereira • Pueblo Rico • Quinchía • Santa Rosa de Cabal • Santuario

Coordinates: 4°49′55″N, 75°43′16″W Motto: Capital Pereira Governor Area 4,140 km² Population  - Total (2003)  - Density   1,024,362 247 people/km² Adjective risaraldense Risaralda is a department of Colombia. ... Location of the town and municipality of Apia in Risaralda Department. ... Location of the town and municipality of Balboa in Risaralda Department. ... Location of the town and municipality of Belén de Umbría in Risaralda Department. ... Dosquebradas is the second largest city of Risaralda department, Colombia. ... Siga este link para información en español: [www. ... Location of the town and municipality of La Celia in Risaralda Department. ... For other uses, see Virginia (disambiguation). ... Location of the town and municipality of Marsella in Risaralda Department. ... Location of the town and municipality of Mistrato in Risaralda Department. ... Location of the town and municipality of Pueblo Rico in Risaralda Department. ... Location of the town and municipality of Quinchia in Risaralda Department. ... Santa Rosa de Cabal is a city in the Risaralda Department, west central Colombia, on the western slopes of the Andean Cordillera (mountains) Central. ... Location of the town and municipality of Santuario in Risaralda Department. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Risaralda. ... Map of Earth showing lines of latitude (horizontally) and longitude (vertically), Eckert VI projection; large version (pdf, 1. ...