Armero facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Armero
Municipality
Rural area in the municipality of Armero
Flag Seal
Location of the town and municipality of Armero in the Department of Tolima
Country	Colombia
Region	Andean
Department	Tolima
Area
• Total	440.5 km2 (170.1 sq mi)
Elevation	285 m (935 ft)
Population  (2017)
• Total	11,724
Time zone	UTC-5
Postal code	732060, 732067, 732068.
Area code(s)	57
Website	http://www.armeroguayabal-tolima.gov.co/index.shtml

Armero is a town in the Tolima Department of Colombia. It was once a busy and successful farming area. The town was founded in 1895. It was first called San Lorenzo. Later, in 1930, its name was changed to Armero. This was done to honor José León Armero, a national hero.

Armero was known as Colombia's "White City." This was because it grew a lot of cotton. Cotton was a very important crop for the country. The town was a rich agricultural area until 1985.

On November 13, 1985, a terrible event changed Armero forever. The Nevado del Ruiz volcano erupted. This caused huge mudslides called lahars. These lahars buried the town. About 23,000 people died in this disaster. Around 31,000 people lived in the area at that time. This event is now known as the Armero tragedy.

One of the most famous victims was a young girl named Omayra Sánchez. She was trapped by water and concrete for three days. Her bravery and struggle became known worldwide. After the disaster, Armero became a ghost town. The nearby town of Guayabal became the new center for the area.

Many people who survived the tragedy moved to Guayabal and Lérida. They received new homes and some money. However, it was very hard for them to rebuild their lives.

Remembering Armero

In the area where Armero once stood, survivors created a special cemetery. It is called Camposanto, which means "holy field." In this unique cemetery, people built a tomb where each house used to be. Each tomb has a message to remember those who were lost. This way, they created a new, symbolic city.

The Armando Armero foundation helps the area recover. It works to bring back social and economic growth. This foundation created the Centro de Interpretación de la Memoria y la Tragedia de Armero. This is the first center in the world that helps people understand a natural disaster exactly where it happened. There are also special memorial spots near the ruins of the city. These spots show visitors what the city was like before the tragedy.

Climate in Armero

Armero has a warm climate. The average temperature is around 27 degrees Celsius (81 degrees Fahrenheit). It gets a good amount of rain throughout the year. The sun shines often, making it a bright place.

See also

In Spanish: Armero para niños