Pradera Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids

Pradera

Municipality and town

Flag

Seal

Motto(s):

Paz, Trabajo, Amor

Location of the municipality and town of Pradera in the Valle del Cauca Department of Colombia.

Country

Colombia

Department

Valle del Cauca Department

Subregion

South

Settled

1862

Incorporated

1867

Area

• Municipality and town

356.7 km² (137.7 sq mi)

• Urban

3.06 km² (1.18 sq mi)

Elevation

1,070 m (3,510 ft)

Population

(2018 census)

• Municipality and town

47,615

• Density

133.488/km² (345.73/sq mi)

• Urban

41,422

• Urban density

13,537/km² (35,060/sq mi)

Demonym(s)

Praderaño, Praderaña

Time zone

UTC-5 (Colombia Standard Time)

Area code(s)

57 + 2

Website

Official website: http://www.pradera-valle.gov.co/

Pradera is a town and municipality in the Valle del Cauca Department of Colombia. It is one of 42 municipalities in the Valle del Cauca region.

Pradera is located in the southeastern part of the department. Its landscape features large Andes mountain ranges and wide, flat areas called meadows. These meadows are mostly used for growing sugarcane.

History of Pradera
Economy and Daily Life
Geography and Nature
Symbols of Pradera
See also

History of Pradera

How Pradera Was Founded

The town of Pradera was officially started on October 15, 1862. It was founded by a group of people including Rafael González Camacho and Sergio Carvajal.

In the 1800s, Pradera was just a small village next to the Bolo river. It was part of the larger municipality of Palmira. In 1860, people suggested that Pradera should become its own village. They thought of names like Nazaret or Mosquera.

Pradera Becomes a Municipality

In 1867, the town was officially named "Tierra de Prados," which means "Land of Meadows." Soon, everyone just called it Pradera. In December 1870, Pradera became its own municipality. This meant it could have its own local government, led by a commissioner or sheriff.

Early Developments in Pradera

Pradera saw many important changes in the early 1900s.

In 1871, the first official distillery opened in the municipality.
By 1917, the first automobile arrived in town.
In 1925, a railroad was built by the company Ferrocarril del Pacífico.
In 1929, the first power plant was installed, providing electricity to the town.

Festivals and Celebrations

Today, Pradera is known for its many fun festivals:

The Feria del Dulce (Sweet Fair) happens in October. It includes parties called verbenas and horse parades called cavalcades.
In February, there is a festival for Andean music.
May brings an art festival.
In November, a fair for small businesses takes place.
In December, the town celebrates the anniversary of Mary's immaculate conception.

Economy and Daily Life

What Pradera Produces

Since Pradera became a district in 1871, its main economic activities have been farming and raising animals. While there are some small factories, most of the money comes from agriculture.

Today, the economy largely depends on growing sugarcane and green beans. Raising poultry (like chickens) is also important. Pradera also has several shopping centers. Many small businesses create handicrafts, industrial parts, and even silver nitrate.

Challenges and Changes

In the 1990s, the economy of Colombia changed, and this caused problems for Pradera. Many people had to leave Pradera to find jobs in bigger cities like Cali and Palmira. This made the town lose some of its community spirit.

To make things better, people have suggested new ideas. These include changing how land is used based on natural areas. They also want local governments to have more power to help their communities grow.

Connecting Pradera to Other Cities

Pradera is connected to Cali, Candelaria, and other places by highway. The municipality has all the usual public services, like banks, sports stadiums, parks, and churches.

Schools in Pradera

Pradera has many schools and colleges for students. Some of the well-known ones include:

Institución Educativa Ateneo, which has over 1500 students.
Institución Educativa Alfredo Posada Correa.
Institución Educativa Francisco Antonio Zea.

Geography and Nature

Pradera's Landscape

The municipality of Pradera has flat areas located between mountains. It is rich in freshwater resources. Several rivers flow through the region, such as the Bolo river, the Parraga river, and the Vílela river. There are also 12 other streams and 4 lakes.

Natural Park and Conservation Efforts

The "Nirvana" natural park is located in the Arenillo district. A group called "Asobolo" works to protect the Bolo river. They were even chosen to represent Colombia at a world meeting about water and rivers in Kyoto, Japan, because of their great conservation work.

Pradera's Borders and Climate

Pradera's borders are:

To the north: The yellow flower creek (Quebrada Flores Amarillas).
To the south and west: The Parraga river.
To the east: The Andes mountain range.

As of 2018, Pradera covers an area of 356.7 square kilometers. It has a population of 47,615 people. The town itself is 1,070 meters above sea level. The average temperature is around 28 degrees Celsius, which is quite warm!

Symbols of Pradera

Pradera has its own flag and coat of arms. These symbols were created by Hernán Barona Sosa, a journalist and former mayor. He worked with a local teacher named Belisario Gómez. In 1968, the town council officially accepted these designs.

The Flag of Pradera

Flag of Pradera

The flag of Pradera has different colors, each with a special meaning:

Blue: Represents the endless sky above Pradera.
Emerald Green: Stands for the green meadows, natural areas, and the hope for a better future.
Yellow: Symbolizes power, light, wealth, and wisdom.
Red: Shows the happiness of the people, their strength, and their honor.

The Coat of Arms

Shield of Pradera

The coat of arms has a shield divided into four parts. Above the shield, there is a yellow banner with the name of the municipality. A Convolvulus flower and a hummingbird are shown above the banner. These represent the common plants and animals found in Pradera's gardens. Around them is Pradera's motto: "Paz Trabajo Amor," which means "Peace, Work, Love."

Let's look at what each part of the shield means:

Top Left: Shows the sun rising over important landmarks of Pradera. You can see the church, the Bolo river, palm trees from the park, and mountains in the background.
Top Right: Displays a scroll with two important dates: 1862 (when the town was settled) and 1867 (when Pradera became a municipality).
Bottom Left: Against a striped background, you can see a sugarcane plant and two gears. These represent the town's farming and businesses.
Bottom Right: Shows a hand holding a torch, which is a symbol of freedom.

The Anthem of Pradera

Hernán Barona Sossa, who helped create the flag and coat of arms, also wrote the municipality's anthem. It is called Himno de Pradera, which means Anthem of Pradera.

Pradera facts for kids

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