San Gil facts for kids

Quick facts for kids San Gil
Municipality and town
View of San Gil
Flag Seal
Location of the municipality and town of San Gil in the Santander Department of Colombia.
Country	Colombia
Department	Santander Department
Founded	March 17, 1689
Founded by	Don Gil Cabrera y Dávalos & Leonardo Correa De Betancurt
Area
• Municipality and town	146.9 km2 (56.7 sq mi)
• Urban	7.33 km2 (2.83 sq mi)
Population  (2020 estimate)
• Municipality and town	59,670
• Density	406.19/km2 (1,052.0/sq mi)
• Urban	51,874
• Urban density	7,077/km2 (18,329/sq mi)
Demonym(s)	Sangileño -a
Time zone	UTC-5 (Colombia Standard Time)
Website	www.sangil.gov.co

San Gil is a lively town in northeastern Colombia, located in the Santander Department. It's about 300 kilometers (192 miles) from Bogotá, the capital of Colombia. The city of Bucaramanga, the department's capital, is 95 kilometers away.

As of 2020, San Gil's urban area had about 51,874 people. This makes it the third-largest urban area in the department. The town is over 300 years old, founded in 1689. In 2004, San Gil was officially named the tourist capital of its region. This is because it offers many exciting outdoor activities. These include rafting, caving, kayaking, and hiking.

View of the main square of San Gil, Santander, 1999.

San Gil's Rich History

San Gil has a long and interesting history. Before the Spanish arrived, native groups called the Guanes lived here. During the colonial period, the Spanish conquest sadly led to the near disappearance of these local tribes.

Founding of San Gil

The town was officially founded on March 17, 1689. It was established by Don Gil Cabrera Dávalos and Leonardo Correa de Betancourt.

Role in Colombian Independence

San Gil played an important part in Colombia's fight for independence. Rebels known as "Comuneros" came from nearby areas. They joined forces and traveled to Bogotá, the capital. There, they fought for the nation's freedom. This important process happened in the early 1820s.

People of San Gil

San Gil's population has grown over the years. In 2005, the total population, including rural areas, was 44,959 people. Most of these (36,748) lived in the urban area. By 2020, the estimated total population increased to 59,670.

Most homes in San Gil have access to important services. About 98% have electricity. Around 90.3% have running water, and 84.1% have a sewage system.

Exciting Tourism in San Gil

San Gil is known as the "tourist capital" of its region. It's a fantastic place for outdoor adventures!

Outdoor Adventures

You can enjoy many activities here, like rafting on rivers (from easy to challenging levels). Kayaking, hiking, and caving are also popular. Local companies offer different rafting trips to suit various skill levels.

Popular Parks and Attractions

• Parque el Gallineral: This is a famous park with unique trees covered in moss that look like long beards. The park covers 10 acres and has many paths. The Rio Fonce, the city's main river, flows through it. The park's name comes from the "gallinero" trees planted there in 1867.
• Parque la Libertad: This is San Gil's main square, also called Liberty Park. It's a common meeting spot and a lively place at night. The town's main cathedral, built in 1791 and updated in 1965, is located here.
• Parque Nacional del Chicamocha (PANACHI): About an hour from San Gil, this eco-tourism park is in the beautiful Chicamocha Canyon. It has a museum, hiking trails, and activities like paragliding. It also features a 6.3 km (3.91 mi) long cable car. This cable car is one of the longest of its kind in the world. It takes you across the canyon to a plateau called Mesa de los Santos.

Nearby Colonial Towns

• Barichara: This small colonial town is only about 20 minutes from San Gil. It sits on the edge of the Chicamocha Canyon, offering amazing views of the canyon and the Suarez River. Barichara is famous for its well-preserved old buildings and stone streets.

San Gil's Economy

Besides tourism, San Gil's economy relies a lot on agriculture. Farmers in the area grow crops like tobacco, sugar cane, and coffee. These products are mainly sold in the town's market plaza.

One important person in the region's history was José María Rueda Gómez, known as "Conde de Cuchicute." Even though he was a bit eccentric, he helped develop coffee production. He also helped start the first bank and a hydroelectric power plant for the region.

Getting Around San Gil

San Gil is well-connected to other parts of Colombia.

Air Travel

You can fly into "Los Pozos," a small regional airport. It handles chartered flights and some seasonal commercial flights.

Land Travel

Many bus companies, such as Berlinas del Fonce, Copetran, Omega, Reina, and Cootrasangil, connect San Gil to Bogotá and Bucaramanga.

Famous People from San Gil

San Gil is the hometown of several notable individuals:

• Margalida Castro (born 1943): A Colombian theatre and television actress.
• Jorge Luis Pinto (born 1952): A Colombian football coach. He has managed national teams like Costa Rica national football team and Honduras national football team.
• Paola Rey (born 1979): A Colombian actress and model.

Climate in San Gil

See also

In Spanish: San Gil (Colombia) para niños