Without any formal foundation, Barranquilla was a result of a spontaneous settlement. Around 1627 it consolidated as a steady population center, but it

would only reach its real economic and urban importance until the second half of the XIX

century, when it became the central epicenter of Colombian foreign commerce, due to its consolidation

as the country’s first maritime and river port. From this point forward, its population, urban, industrial

and commercial development was outstanding, which made it one of the four most important cities of the nation during the XX century, status it still currently

has.

Barranquilla borders at the north with the

Mallorquín swam and the Caribbean

Sea; east and southeast by the Magdalena river

and by a complex net of spouts. It’s best described in the lyrics of the

city’s anthem: it’s a city “surrounded by

water”.

Since 2002, Barranquilla is divided into 5 main localities: North –Center Historic, Riomar, Southwest, Southeast and Metropolitan, each of them has a major and a local administrative board.

Barranquilla’s architectural identity and urban landscape,was only defined near the end of the year 1900 and duringthe first three decades of the XX century. Such stage agreedwith the last splendors of what was know as the Republicanstyle in Colombia, of which the city posses numerous andoutstanding examples, represented in the most majesticbuildings located all over the historic downtown and in the ElPrado neighborhood. Later on, diverse architectonical stylesappeared.

But it was Art Deco the next notable trend in urbanphysiognomy. Years after, around the XX century, themodern movement started leaving a trail in the city.

In this new millennium, projecting itself with contemporaryphysiognomy and a futuristic vision, Barranquilla seems toedit itself into a second urban revolution.

Barranquilla’s populationbelongs in general to thecharacteristic human groupof the Colombian Caribbean.With a strong presence of thedescendants of multipleEuropean and Middle Eastimmigrant communities, aswell as others that cameacross from our regionalsurroundings as well as theinner regions of the country.Barranquilla’s people arethus, openminded, hospitable andcosmopolite.

Shakira, Sofia Vergara, NinaGarcia, Edgar Renteria, SilviaTscherassi, Joe Arroyo, Gabriel GarciaMarquez, and many artists and peoplewho were born or who lived in this cityare the most famous exponents of thefruits that are cultivated and producedin this fertile creative territory that isBarranquilla. Result of this blend ofraces that is also a characteristic brandof the city.

Barranquilla’s Carnival is thepopular party by excellence, notonly of the Caribbean but alsoof all Colombia. It’s home touninterrupted tradition ofalmost two centuries. It is oneof the most inclusive andcoexistence spaces in LatinAmerican during which theentire city and its thousands ofvisitors convert themselves, as aresult of pure magic, into themain characters and spectatorsat the same time of thecontagious collective joy.