Buenaventura, Valle del Cauca facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Buenaventura
Municipality and city
Flag Seal
Nickname(s):  El Puerto (the Port)
Location of the municipality and town of Buenaventura, Colombia in the Valle del Cauca Department of Colombia.
Buenaventura Location in Valle del Cauca Department Show map of Valle del Cauca Department Buenaventura Location in Colombia Show map of Colombia
Country	Colombia
Department	Valle del Cauca Department
Region	Pacific Region of Colombia
Regional District	Special economic zone district
Foundation	14 July 1540
Founded by	Juan Ladrillero by order from Pascual de Andagoya
Area
• Municipality and city	6,292 km2 (2,429 sq mi)
• Urban	33 km2 (13 sq mi)
Highest elevation	7 m (23 ft)
Lowest elevation	0 m (0 ft)
Population  (2020 estimate)
• Municipality and city	311,827
• Rank	Ranked 19th
• Density	49.559/km2 (128.358/sq mi)
• Urban	238,648
• Urban density	7,230/km2 (18,730/sq mi)
Demonym(s)	Porteño, Bonaverense
Time zone	UTC-5 (Colombia Standard Time)
Area code(s)	224

Buenaventura is an important coastal city in the Pacific Region of Colombia, a country in South America. Its name means "good fortune" in Spanish. It is Colombia's main port on the Pacific Ocean.

In 2018, Buenaventura had a population of over 235,000 people. Most of the city is built on Cascajal Island, but much of its land is rural with small villages. The city has its own airport, Gerardo Tobar López Airport.

Buenaventura is also known for its food! In 2017, it became part of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network as a "City of Gastronomy."

History of Buenaventura

The city of Buenaventura was started on July 14, 1540. Juan Ladrillero founded it under orders from Pascual de Andagoya. At that time, a group of native people called the Buscaja Indians lived there.

The city faced challenges from local tribes before the 1600s, but it was later rebuilt. Buenaventura grew a lot after the Panama Canal opened in 1914. By the 1950s, it was a popular stop for international travelers. Today, the city is very important for moving goods and materials, which has helped it grow and develop.

People of Buenaventura

Who Lives in Buenaventura?

According to a 2018 count, most people in Buenaventura are of Afro-Colombian heritage, making up about 85% of the population.

Other groups include:

• Whites and Mestizos: about 11.5%
• Indigenous people: about 1.5%

There are also ten Indigenous areas partly or fully within Buenaventura. These are home to groups like the Emberá people.

Getting Around Buenaventura

The Port of Buenaventura

Buenaventura is one of the biggest ports in South America. About 60% of all goods coming into or leaving Colombia by sea pass through here. This makes the city very important for trade.

Rivers in the City

Many rivers surround Buenaventura, including the Dagua, Anchicayá, and Calima. There are also smaller rivers and streams like Agua Clara and San Cipriano. These rivers are important for the city's water supply.

Roads to and from Buenaventura

Well-kept roads connect Buenaventura to other major Colombian cities like Cali, Armenia, Medellín, and Bogotá. This route is called "La Vía al Mar" (The Road to the Sea) because it links the country to the Pacific coast.

Buenaventura's Airport

The Gerardo Tobar López Airport offers direct flights from Buenaventura to Bogotá, which takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes. You can also fly to other cities from here.

Learning in Buenaventura

Universities in the City

Buenaventura has several universities where students can continue their education after high school.

Public Universities

• Universidad del Valle: This is a leading university in southwestern Colombia. Its main campus is in Cali, but it has a campus in Buenaventura.
• Universidad del Pacífico: This public university offers programs like Systems Engineering, Architecture, and Aquaculture Technology.
• Universidad del Quindío

Private Universities

• Universidad Antonio Nariño: This is one of Colombia's largest private universities, with campuses in many major cities, including Buenaventura.

Geography and Climate

Buenaventura is located just a few kilometers from the western Andes mountain range. It is about 116 kilometers (72 miles) by road from Cali, the capital of the Valle del Cauca department.

Buenaventura is one of the rainiest cities in the world! It gets between 6,000 to 7,000 millimeters (236 to 275 inches) of rain each year.

Buenaventura's Weather

Like the rest of Colombia's Pacific Coast, Buenaventura has a very consistent, wet, cloudy, humid, and hot tropical rainforest climate. The temperature stays warm all year round.

Fun Things to Do in Buenaventura

Buenaventura offers many interesting places to visit, especially for tourists.

Cascajal Island

Cascajal Island is a popular spot in the western part of the city. It has important tourist and business areas, including:

• Néstor Urbano Tenorio Park
• The San Buenaventura Cathedral
• The pier where you can catch boats to nearby islands

Ecoparque Theme Green Iguanas

Near Buenaventura, in a coastal town called Piangüita, you can find the Ecoparque Theme Green Iguanas. This park covers four hectares and is home to many green iguanas. It also has beaches that attract visitors.

Bahía Málaga

Bahía Málaga is a deepwater port that can handle very large ships that cannot enter the main port of Buenaventura.

Other Cool Places to See

• Cathedral of Buenaventura
• National Palace
• San Cipriano and Escalarete rivers Nature Reserve
• Beautiful beaches like La Bocana, Piangüita, Juanchaco, Ladrilleros, and La Barra
• Hotel Maguipi
• Botanical Garden Bushes, located within the Bahía Málaga Uramba National Natural Park
• Tourist floating dock
• Mural "Buenaventura 450 years in space"
• Spa areas outside the city
• Hotel Station

Famous People from Buenaventura

Many talented people have come from Buenaventura, including:

• Petronio Álvarez Quintero: A famous singer-songwriter of Currulao music.
• Juan Carlos Candelo: A former boxing champion.
• Raul Cuero: A professor of microbiology and an Inventor.
• Marbelle: A popular pop singer.
• Edison Miranda: A boxer who competed in the 2000 Olympics.
• Fernando Montaño: A soloist with the Royal Ballet in London.
• Freddy Rincón: A retired Colombian football midfielder.
• Adolfo Valencia: A retired Colombian football striker.

Sports in Buenaventura

Buenaventura has had two professional football (soccer) teams in the past:

• Pacífico F.C. (played in 2010–2011)
• Atlético Buenaventura (played between 1991 and 1995)

Both clubs played in Categoría Primera B, which is the second division of Colombian football.