Granada, Meta facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Granada, Meta
Municipality and town
Flag Seal
Location of the municipality and town of Granada, Meta in the Meta Department of Colombia.
Granada, Meta Location in Colombia
Country	Colombia
Department	Meta Department
Area
• Municipality and town	348.3 km2 (134.5 sq mi)
• Urban	11.3 km2 (4.4 sq mi)
Elevation	372 m (1,220 ft)
Population  (2018 census)
• Municipality and town	68,876
• Density	197.749/km2 (512.17/sq mi)
• Urban	58,293
• Urban density	5,159/km2 (13,360/sq mi)
Demonym(s)	Granadino
Time zone	UTC-5 (Colombia Standard Time)
Area code(s)	57 + 8
Climate	Am
Website	Official website: http://www.granada-meta.gov.co/

Granada is a town and municipality in the Meta Department, Colombia. It covers an area of about 348 square kilometers (134 square miles). In 2018, its population was 68,876 people.

Granada is located in a tropical area, about 372 to 410 meters (1,220 to 1,345 feet) above sea level. The average daily temperature is usually between 24 and 25.6°C (75 to 78°F). It gets a lot of rain, between 2,400 and 2,800 millimeters (94 to 110 inches) each year. The town is connected by road to Bogotá, which is about 180 kilometers (112 miles) away. It's also about 80 kilometers (50 miles) from Villavicencio, the capital of the Meta Department.

Symbols of Granada

The Shield

The shield of Granada tells a story about its past. It has two axes, which stand for the town's beginnings as a place of colonization. The first axe shows the year 1939, when people first started settling in the area. The second axe shows 1956, the year Granada officially became a municipality.

A ribbon connects the axes, saying "Land of work for men of peace." The top part of the shield has three sections, each with a color from the flag.

• The first section shows a white dove, which means peace.
• In the middle, there's an open pomegranate, showing the many different crops grown in the area.
• The third section has two hands shaking, symbolizing a warm welcome to visitors.

At the bottom of the shield, you can see the Guillermo León Valencia bridge.

The Flag

Granada's flag has three equal stripes: green, white, and red.

• The green stripe stands for agriculture, which is the main way people make a living in the region.
• The white stripe represents the peaceful nature of the people who live there.
• The red stripe reminds everyone of the brave people from the plains who fought for freedom.

History of Granada

How Granada Started

Before Granada was founded, three main groups of indigenous peoples lived in this area: the Guayupe (the largest group), the Sae, and the Operigua. They didn't have clear borders for their lands. Their cultures and languages were different, but they were greatly affected by the first European settlers. These settlers came to the region to find and use natural resources like rubber and wood.

Granada was first called Boquemonte. This name means "mouth of the mountain" because it was an entrance to a path through the forests of the Ariari River plain. The area grew as people moved from the Altiplano Cundiboyacense highlands, especially between 1950 and 1970. Many people moved to the upper Ariari region, which includes Granada and nearby towns like Cubarral and Fuente de Oro.

On June 23, 1956, Boquemonte changed its name to Nueva Granada. Later that same year, on November 19, it officially became a municipality.

Fun Things to Do

Places to Visit

El Alcaraván Bridge

The El Alcaraván bridge is an important connection for Granada. It links the town to other municipalities like San Juan de Arama, Vista Hermosa, Mesetas, and Uribe.

Parties and Celebrations

Summer Festival

The Summer Festival is one of the most famous and important events in the region. It happens every year in January along the beautiful beaches of the Arriari River. The festival is packed with cultural and sports activities.

You can enjoy exciting events like:

• Campercross (racing with campers)
• Extreme sports
• Motocross
• Aerobics
• Soccer
• Beach volleyball
• A beauty pageant
• Mountain biking

Many artists come to perform and entertain everyone. A traditional highlight is the regatta on the Ariari River, where hundreds of people gather to float down the river.

Economy

Granada's economy is based on several activities:

• Farming: People grow many crops like rice, corn, bananas, African palm, cocoa, cassava, sugar cane, papaya, citrus fruits, and passion fruit.
• Livestock: Raising cattle is also a big part of the economy. Granada is known for its livestock and hosts excellent fairs and festivals. At these events, you can see amazing horses and traditional coleus competitions.
• Tourism: Visitors come to enjoy the town and its festivals.
• Fish farming: Raising fish for food and even ornamental fish is another activity.

Climate

Granada has a tropical climate. The weather is generally warm and humid throughout the year. It experiences a lot of rainfall, especially during certain months.

See also

In Spanish: Granada (Meta) para niños