Gramalote facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Gramalote
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town
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Skyline of Gramalote
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Map of Gramaote in the Norte de Santander Department.
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| Country | Colombia | ||
| Department | Norte de Santander | ||
| Foundation | 1857 | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 151 km2 (58 sq mi) | ||
| Elevation | 148 m (486 ft) | ||
| Population
(2015) [1]
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| • Total | 5,567 | ||
| Time zone | UTC-5 | ||
| Website | [2] |
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Gramalote is a town and Colombian municipality located in the department of North Santander. It's a place with a rich history and culture.
The average temperature in Gramalote is about 23 °C (73 °F). It sits 1040 meters (3,412 feet) above sea level. Before the big floods in Colombia in 2010, about 7,853 people lived there. The town was actually founded twice! The second time was in 1857, less than a kilometer from where it was first established in 1883.
Contents
Gramalote's Economy
The economy of Gramalote mainly depends on farming. People grow and trade many different crops.
Main Farm Products
- Coffee: This is a very important crop for the town.
- Sugar cane: Used to make sugar and a product called panela.
- Bananas and citrus fruits: These are also grown in the area.
- Beans: Another key crop for the local farmers.
Livestock and Other Products
More than half of the land in Gramalote is used for raising animals. Honey and other products from bees are also important for the people living there.
Jobs in Gramalote
Most formal jobs in Gramalote came from the government. This included people working for the town's government, the police, and in healthcare. There were also jobs in banks and schools. About 230 people had these kinds of jobs.
Festivals and Celebrations
Like many towns in Colombia, Gramalote's festivals are often linked to religious traditions.
Holy Week Celebrations
Holy Week is a very important religious time in Gramalote. It starts on the Friday before Easter and lasts until Easter Sunday.
- What happens: People attend Holy Mass, join processions, and watch plays that show parts of Jesus Christ's life.
- Processions: A group called the Brotherhood of Nazarene carries special displays through the streets. These displays show different moments from the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Many people from both the town and nearby farms take part in these events.
Our Lady of Mongui Festival
This festival celebrates another year since Gramalote was founded. The Virgin of Mongui is seen as the town's special protector.
Story of the Painting
The story of the painting of Our Lady of Mongui is quite old. King Charles V of Spain, who was also an emperor, had many paintings of the Virgin Mary made. He wanted to send these paintings to churches in the New World (like Colombia) to spread devotion.
One painting showed the Holy Family escaping to Egypt. Saint Joseph was painted with a Spanish-style hat, and Mary wore a beautiful red dress and blue robe, holding baby Jesus wrapped for travel. A copy of this painting was brought to Colombia from Spain. In 1861, a priest named Secundino Jacome was given this painting and sent to open the church in Gramalote. The image of Our Lady of Mongui is now in the church.
Christmas Bonus Festivities
The Christmas bonus celebrations happen from December 16th to 24th. These events bring lots of joy, color, and fun to the town as Christmas approaches.
- Morning Activities: Activities start early with a special morning mass. After mass, there are contests and games.
- Afternoon Fun: In the afternoon, people from the town and nearby villages gather for more activities.
- Evening Events: In the evening, there's another Holy Mass, followed by processions with lanterns. These processions show scenes from the Christmas story.
- Christmas Eve Parade: On December 24th, there's a big parade with different groups. It goes through the town and ends in the main plaza. Here, the town government gives out awards. The celebrations finish with popular dances in the park, where families gather to enjoy the music.
See also
In Spanish: Gramalote para niños
