Location: the northern coast of Colombia, on the Department of Bolivar.1,142,000 square km, bounded to the north by the Caribbean, to the east by Venezuela and Brazil, to the south by Peru and Ecuador and to the west by the Pacific Ocean and by Panama. The western half of the area is crossed from south to north by three Andean mountain chains. The eastern half comprises the Ilanos (plains) and Amazon jungle
Average 28°C all year long, at night 25°C.
Population :900.000
Language:Spanish. Because it is a touristic city in commerce and industry English, French, German, and Italian are spoken.
Religion:Catholic
Government:Democratic Republic with Central Goverment.
In 1498, in his second voyage, Christopher Colum,bus passed near these beaches whitout stopping.
Subsequently, in 1505, Don Rodrigo de Bastidas discovered the entire Atlantic Coast. But it was Peralonso Nunes and Cristobal Guerra who anchored for the first time in the bay which they called "Cartagena".
In mid 1533, Pedro de Heredia decided to settle a king`s camp in the small native village of Calamari, which later on, when it was transferred into a prosperous city, was called Cartagena.
It was when Cartagena was barely ten years old, as a vigorous Spanish town that the first series of attacks, pillaging and piracy began.
The first of the adventurers who attacked Cartagena was the feared Frenchman, Roberto Baal, followed by Jhon Hwakins and the brothers, Juan and Martin Cote, whit Sir Francis Dreake`s raid, this first trial period of Cartagena`s survival came to a close.
Faitful witnesses of the Iberian power are the forts, the batteries , the fortlets and the castles, in whose constructions the ingenuity of Spanish and Italian architects are combined whit work and the sacrifice of the salves brought over fron Africa to America to work as beasts of burden.
Tropical in the coastal regions, temperate on the plateaux to cold in the Andes mountains.
winter season :from may to november
summer season :from december to april
season of strong winds from december to march
historic and "official" name is: Cartagena de Indias
The early Spanish explorers were searching for a more direct trading route to the spices of India and so their efforts were described as La Ruta de India. Even though this was a major topographical mistake of the times, the name is still revered in Colombia for it's historic significance.
The name Cartagena was copied from Cartagena, Spain
Like Cartagena, Colombia, the Cartagena in Spain is a walled city with a fine harbor. The city was founded in 230 BC by a Carthaginian, and at one time it was said to be one of the richest cities in the world. Today this seaport city in Spain has about 200,000 inhabitants as opposed to Cartagena, Colombia's 1,000,000. When those who are new to searching enter just the name Cartagena, many of the results will include this Spanish city.
Cartagena is nearly surrounded by the Caribbean Sea. Small, coral stone protected beaches can be found only a few meters outside of the ancient Walled City. The larger beach extends around the peninsula of Bocagrande and Laguito, the other popular tourist area of Cartagena.
Less than 25 minutes by bus (about 25 cents) from the Walled City, there is another beach: Boquilla. Ten minutes beyond Boquilla Beach, is Manzanillo Beach. The more heavily used beaches are maintained each night, with large tractors, pulling power sand rakes.
The above beaches are popular because of their nearness to the cities hotels. The beach sand is brown because there are no nearby offshore coral reefs feeding the beaches with white "sand" which actually is the tiny fragments of shells and coral which make up the reefs eco system. The Island of Boca Chica contains Fort San José, one of the two outermost forts which provided early protection of ancient Cartagena.
Boca Chica Beach has a number small places to eat, get a massage, or merely sleep away the afternoon in a hanging hammock. Small boats depart from the Pegasos bay, (across from Convention Center) the in the mornings, and make runs throughout the day
The old city of Cartagena is one of the few urban nulei around the world that is still completely surrounded by thick walls (Only a short portion of them were thrown down several decades ago).
This recinct constitutes one of the biggest tourist attractions of the city, not only for the military engineering works but also for the beautiful civil and religious architecture inside.
San Pedro Claver
It is an urban unit that shows the presence of the Society of Jesus in Cartagena. The cloister, built in the XVII Century served as residence to Saint Pedro Claver, a Jesuit Priest that dedicated his missionary work to the replevying of the XVIII Century and is one of the prominent buildings in the city
Costs:
Adult: 4,000 pesos (about $ 2.00 U.S.)
Children and Students: 3,000 pesos
With Guide: 7,000 pesos (additional)
With a bi-lingual Guide: 8,000 pesos (additional)
Gold Museum
Owned by Banco de la Republica (the government's issuing bank). It is a museum specialized in Sinu pre-Columbian culture, with an influence area in the old Bolivar Department (Bolivar, Cordoba and Sucre today), extensive but homogeneous area in resources and habits. It is suggested to start the visit from the second floor.
Visiting hours: Tuesday to Fridays from 9:00 to 11:45 a.m. and from 2:30 to 6:00 p.m.
Saturday from 9:30 to 11:45 a.m. Sundays and holidays from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
India Catalina Monument
It is a monument built as a tribute to Caribe culture, the original inhabitants of the area, represented by Catalina, a female Indian that served as interpreter for the Conqueror Don Pedro de Heredia upon their subjugation and establishment of the territory in 1533. This Indian is the symbol of the Movie Festival that takes place yearly in Cartagena since the decade of 1950 decade.
La Popa Convent
This hill was named originally "The Stern of the Galley" due to its similarity to this part of the vessels, but turned up side down. Being the tallest height in the city it was the chosen place to build the Barefooted Augustinian Recollet Priest's Convent in 1607, and since then it has been dedicated to Our Lady of the Candles. This festivity is held each February 2nd, giving origin to the most traditional cultural act foundations in Cartagena.
The Clock Tower
It was the main gate to enter the walled city, built at the beginning of the XVIII Century by Engineer Juan de Herrera y Sotomayor. At those times it was called the Bridge Gate, due to the one that jointed this area with the Getsemani Suburb. In 1888 the republican style tower was added, as it stands today, by the native architect Luis Felipe Jaspe to hold the four sided clock, and thus, naming the spot as it is known today and that has become the symbol of Cartagena.
It is recomended to take a taxi or a public service bus to the Clock Tower.
San Felipe de Barajas Fortress
It is the utmost military engineering construction built by the Spanish Crown in America.
Its first stage appeared in 1656 when the so called Bonete, a triangular structure at the highest point was built. After several attacks by the Baron of Pointis, (with some reinforcements), but most of all after Vernon's assault in 1741, under the direction of engineer Antonio de Arevalo, the collateral batteries were built, making of it a true inexpugnable fortress.
San Felipe de Barajas Fortress
At the Rosario Islands Archipelago a variety of water sports for amateur may be practiced, such as surfing, sailing and diving. There are many organized companies that offer day tours. There are different type and size boats departing from Los Pegasos Harbour (by the Souls Bay), located across the street from La Marina Park. At the islands, specifically at the one named San Martin de Pajarales, there is an important and almost natural oceanarium, with trained species.
The early Spanish explorers were searching for a more direct trading route to the spices of India and so their efforts were described as La Ruta de India. Even though this was a major topographical mistake of the times, the name is still revered in Colombia for it's historic significance. 
San Pedro Claver
It is an urban unit that shows the presence of the Society of Jesus in Cartagena. The cloister, built in the XVII Century served as residence to Saint Pedro Claver, a Jesuit Priest that dedicated his missionary work to the replevying of the XVIII Century and is one of the prominent buildings in the city
Gold Museum
India Catalina Monument
La Popa Convent
The Clock Tower
San Felipe de Barajas Fortress
San Felipe de Barajas Fortress
Calendar of events and Various Shows
National beauty Contest in Cartagena 2007