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City of Medellin

Where Exactly is Medellin?

This Medellin is located in the Aburrá Valley, right in the heart of the Andes mountains in northwestern Colombia. It sits at an elevation of around 1,500 meters above sea level, which gives it a pretty fantastic year-round climate – we’re talking warm days and cool nights, perfect for exploring or just kicking back.
Medellín is the capital of the department of Antioquia, a region that spans from green mountain forests to charming colonial towns along winding rivers. But the city itself is the real star. It’s located smack in the middle of the country, about equidistant from major cities like Bogotá, Cali, and Cartagena. Make it very convenient to travel to other cities with around 30-45 min flights.
Now, getting into the nitty-gritty geography details, Medellín’s coordinates put it at around 6°13′N 75°34′W. But what’s more important is that it’s a place you simply have to experience for yourself!
Known for their distinct culture and dialect, the people of Medellín are identify as “Paisas,” just as those from Bogotá are called “Rolos,” and those that are from the coastal regions such as Cartagena, Barranquilla etc.. are referred to as “Costeños.”
World Map - Colombia

Brief History of Medellin

In 1616, the town of San Lorenzo de Aburrá was founded by Francisco de Herrera Campuzano as an indigenous reservation. Over the next few decades, the population grew steadily with Spanish settlers. In 1675, the Villa de Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria de Medellín was officially founded and the town took on the name Medellín.
For the next two centuries, Medellín remained a small town overshadowed by Santa Fe de Antioquia. Its growth accelerated in the late 19th century with the rise of coffee production and the arrival of the railroad. The city industrialized rapidly in the early 20th century, especially in textiles.
The mid-to-late 20th century proved tumultuous due to drug violence and criminals like Pablo Escobar, whose Medellín cartel controlled much of the global cocaine trade. At its peak in the 1980s-90s, Medellín had one of the world’s highest homicide rates.
Since Escobar’s death in 1993, the city has undergone a transformation. Security has vastly improved and Medellín is now regarded as an industrial and economic hub in Colombia as well as an increasingly popular tourist destination known for its pleasant spring-like climate.

If you’re a big history buff and want to learn more about the history of Medellin. Check out the following websites.