Puerto Berrío facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Puerto Berrío
Municipality and town
Flag Seal
Location of the municipality and town of Puerto Berrío in the Antioquia Department of Colombia
Puerto Berrío Location in Colombia
Country	Colombia
Department	Antioquia Department
Subregion	Magdalena Medio
Area
• Municipality and town	1,220 km2 (470 sq mi)
• Urban	6.15 km2 (2.37 sq mi)
Population  (2020 est.)
• Municipality and town	51,079
• Density	41.87/km2 (108.4/sq mi)
• Urban	35,038
• Urban density	5,697/km2 (14,756/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC-5 (Colombia Standard Time)

Puerto Berrío is a town and municipality located in the Antioquia region of Colombia. It is part of the Magdalena Medio Antioquia sub-region, which is an important area in the country.

Geography of Puerto Berrío

A view of Puerto Berrío.

Puerto Berrío is in a part of Antioquia called the Middle Magdalena. It is located right next to the important Magdalena River.

The municipality shares its borders with several other towns. To the north, it borders Yolombó, Remedios, and Yondó. To the east, it borders the Santander region. To the south, it borders Puerto Nare and Caracolí. Finally, to the west, it borders Caracolí and Maceo.

Puerto Berrío is about 191 kilometers (118 miles) away from Medellín. Medellín is the capital city of the Antioquia Department. The total area of the municipality is about 1,184 square kilometers (457 square miles).

History of Puerto Berrío

Puerto Berrío was officially started in 1875 by a Colombian General named Ricardo Maria Giraldo. It became a full municipality in 1881.

Long before it was founded, in 1801, a famous explorer named Alexander von Humboldt drew a map of this area. Later, a Cuban engineer named Francisco Javier Cisneros chose this exact spot. He wanted to build a port for the Antioquia region along the Magdalena River. He also planned to make it a key station for the Antioquia Railway.

In 1875, the government of Antioquia officially ordered the town to be established. They named it after a former governor of Antioquia, General Pedro Justo Berrío.

Since then, Puerto Berrío's growth has been closely connected to the railroad. When the railway reached Medellín in 1914, Puerto Berrío became a very important port. It was a place where products from Antioquia were shipped along the Magdalena River. From there, goods could be sent to other major ports and even exported through the Caribbean Sea.

In 1925, a big fire destroyed almost the entire town. Only the railroad buildings were saved. The town quickly began to rebuild itself. Puerto Berrío became a center for trade in the region. It was a necessary stop for cargo, passengers, and tourists. This period of economic success lasted until 1963. At that time, the Railroad of Antioquia became owned by the government. Later, due to some difficult times in the region, the economy slowed down a lot.

In 1991, the government helped create an organization to bring back river navigation. This group, called the Corporation of the Great River of the Magdalena, was formed to help make the river navigable again.

Today, Puerto Berrío is a busy city with a lot of trade. It is known as the capital of the Antioquian Mid-Magdalena. Its history is deeply connected to the Magdalena River and the Railroad of Antioquia. It is a "multimodal port," meaning it can connect to other places in many ways. It connects to Medellín, Bogotá, the Santander Department, and the North Coast by land. It also has an airport. These connections have been very important for the region's development. The beautiful Hotel Magdalena has been restored. It stands as a reminder of over 125 years of history. The town's natural beauty is also a great attraction for visitors.

Economy

The economy of Puerto Berrío includes several important activities:

• Agriculture: Farmers grow crops like cacao, Maize, Banana, yuca, and Lemon.
• Cattle ranch: This includes raising cattle for Milk and other products.
• Mining: There is some Gold mining in the area.
• Logging: This involves cutting down trees for wood.
• Fishing: Fishing is also an important activity.
• Informal commerce: Many small businesses and street vendors contribute to the economy.
• Arts & Crafts: Local people make traditional items like atarrayas (fishing nets) and chichorros (hammocks).

Celebrations

Puerto Berrío has many lively celebrations throughout the year:

• Celebrations of the Return and Reign of Ecology: This is a special event for the municipality.
• Celebrations of Virgin of the Carmen: A religious festival.
• Festival of Cometa: A kite festival.
• Festival the Night of Poets: An event celebrating poetry.
• Fiestas of Anniversary: Celebrations for the town's founding.
• Festival of Dances and Música Folkloric: A festival showcasing traditional dance and music.

Notable Residents

• Juan José Florián: A para-cyclist who is from Puerto Berrío.

Climate

See also

In Spanish: Puerto Berrío para niños