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Cartagena, Colombia, also known as Cartagena de Indias, is a large seaport on the north coast of Colombia. Founded in 1533 by don Pedro de Heredia , and named after Cartagena, Spain, it was a major center of early Spanish settlement in the Americas, and continues to be an economic hub as well as a popular tourist destination.
Cartagena faces the Caribbean Sea to the west. To the south is the Bahia de Cartagena (Bay of Cartagena), which has two entrances: Bocachica in the south, and Bocagrande in the north. During the 16th and 17th centuries, Cartagena was part of the Spanish Main, one of the chief ports of the Spanish treasure fleet and so a prime target for English and French pirate and privateers (such as Sir Francis Drake, who sacked the city in 1580). Many of Cartagena's fortifications still stand: the Castle of San Felipe, built between 1536 and 1657Events January 8 Miles Sindercombe, would-be-assassin of Oliver Cromwell, and his group are captured in London February Admiral Robert Blake defeats the Spanish West Indian Fleet in a battle over the seizure of Jamaica. April 20 Admiral Robert Blake destr; the walls around the Old City (las Murallas); the undersea wall across Bocagrande built between 1771Events January 22 Spain cedes the Falkland Islands to England. July 17 Massacre at Bloody Falls: Chipewyan chief Matonabbee traveling as the guide to Samuel Hearne on his arctic overland journey, massacre a group of unsuspecting Inuit. September 8 In Cali and 1778Events "The term Thoroughbred was first used in the United States in an advertisement in a Kentucky gazette to describe a New Jersey stallion called Pilgarlick. January 18 Third Pacific expedition of Capt. James Cook, with ships HMS Resolution and HMS Dis; and the forts of San Jose and San Fernando, built between 1751Events Adam Smith is appointed professor of logic at the University of Glasgow March 31 The future King George III of the United Kingdom succeeds his father as Prince of Wales. His mother Augusta of Saxe-Gotha becomes Dowager Princess of Wales. First publ and 1759Events January 11 In Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the first American life insurance company is incorporated. January 13 The Tavora family is executed following the accusation of attempted regicide on Joseph I of Portugal January 15 The British Museum opens at Bocachica.
Many colonial buildings can be found in the Old City, including the Palace of the InquisitionThe Inquisition was an office of the Roman Catholic Church charged with suppressing heresy. Their actions and interactions with the local governments are subjects of considerable historical enquiry. Origin The Inquisition was a permanent institution in th, a cathedral, the Convent of Santa Clara (now a hotel) and a Jesuit college. St. Peter Claver patron saint of the slaves worked in and from the Jesuit college. Just outside the city walls, you can see the "India Catalina" statue, a local Indian hero.
To the south of the Murallas is the modern city of Cartagena on the peninsula of Bocagrande. Cartagena is the capital of the department of Bolivar, with a population of 812,595 (1997 estimate). It is one of Colombia's major seaports as well as the terminus of an oil pipeline. The city is served by Rafael Núñez International Airport, north of the city. Cartagena also is home of the largest Colombian Navy (Armada de la Republica de Colombia) base over the Caribbean, named A.R.C Bolivar.
About 30 km southeast of Cartagena are the Islas de Rosario (Rosario Islands), a nationally protected park which features an aquarium with trained dolphins and many varieties of tropical fish and sharks.
Due to Cartagena's tropical location, the climate changes very little, with an average highs of 31°C (88°F) and average low of 24°C (75.4°F) throughout the year. Cartagena also averages around 90% humidity, with a rainy season typically in October. Cartagena receives about 100 cm (40 inches) of rain a year.