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Florencia, Caquetá facts for kids

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Florencia
Municipality and city
Plaza Pizarro Florencia.jpg
Marco Polo Ferry.JPG
FLA-Curia.jpg
FLA airport.jpg
Piedemonte Amazónico Florencia.jpg
Top: View of Plaza Pizarro, Second: A sightseeing boat at Biblioteca River, Third: House of the Episcopal Curia, Four: Gustavo Artunduaga Paredes Airport Bottom: Piedmont of Florencia
Flag of Florencia
Flag
Official seal of Florencia
Seal
Nickname(s): 
Golden Gate to the Colombian Amazonia
Location of the municipality and town of Florencia in the Caquetá Department of Colombia.
Location of the municipality and town of Florencia in the Caquetá Department of Colombia.
Florencia is located in Colombia
Florencia
Florencia
Location in Colombia
Country  Colombia
Region Amazonas Region
Department Caquetá Department
Founded 1902
Incorporated 1912
Founded by Doroteo de Pupiales
Named for Florence
Area
 • Municipality and city 2,548 km2 (984 sq mi)
 • Urban
20.21 km2 (7.80 sq mi)
Elevation
242 m (794 ft)
Population
 (2023)
 • Municipality and city 177,946
 • Rank 35th in Colombia
 • Density 69.838/km2 (180.88/sq mi)
  DANE
Demonym(s) Florencian
florenciano (m), -na (f)
florentino (m), -na (f)
Ethnicity
 • White/Mestizo 95.9%
 • Afro 3.3%
 • Amerindian 0.8%
Time zone UTC-05 (Colombia Standard Time)
Postal code
180001–180009
Area code(s) 57 + 8
Major airport Gustavo Artunduaga Paredes Airport
Website Official website: http://www.florencia-caqueta.gov.co

Florencia is a cool city in Colombia! It's the capital of the Caquetá Department and the biggest city in the Amazon Region of Colombia. About 177,946 people live there (as of 2023). The city is located near the Orteguaza River, which flows into the Caqueta River.

What's in a Name?

Florencia got its name from an Italian businessman named Paolo Ricci. He was involved in the rubber trade and came from the city of Florence in Italy.

A Look Back in Time

The area where Florencia is now was once home to native tribes like the Andaquí, Witoto, and Coreguaje. The first European to explore this land was a Spanish explorer named Hernán Pérez de Quesada in 1542.

Florencia was officially founded on December 25, 1902. It was started by a Capuchin Friar named Doroteo De Pupiales. He was born in Pupiales, Nariño, Colombia.

The city grew because of rubber plantations nearby. It became an important place after a trail was built connecting it to the town of Guadalupe.

Where is Florencia Located?

Florencia is found at the base of the Cordillera Oriental mountain range. It shares borders with different areas:

What's the Weather Like?

Florencia has a tropical rainforest climate. This means it gets a lot of rain throughout the year, even in its driest month. The average temperature in Florencia is around 26.1°C (79°F).

January is usually the driest month, while June tends to be the wettest. The city receives about 3,840 mm (151 inches) of rain each year.

How Does Florencia Make Money?

The main ways Florencia makes money are:

  • Trade and vehicle repair: This is the biggest part of the economy.
  • Public services: Things like government jobs and defense.
  • Artistic activities: This includes creative and cultural events.

Cool Places to Visit

El Encanto Petroglyphs

These are ancient rock carvings found near the Hacha River. They are about 16 meters long and show figures of animals and humans. An archaeologist first described them in 1963.

Curiplaya Building

This is a historic building with old-style architecture. It was built in the 1950s and used to be a hotel. Today, it's home to cultural groups and the Palace of Culture and Fine Arts of the Amazon. The building was recognized as an important cultural site in 2000. The name "Curiplaya" means "Golden Beach" in the Witoto language.

Images for kids

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Florencia (Caquetá) para niños

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