San Jerónimo, Antioquia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
San Jerónimo, Antioquia
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Municipality and town
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Location of the municipality and town of San Jerónimo in the Antioquia Department of Colombia
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 San Jerónimo, Antioquia
Location in Colombia
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| Country |  Colombia |
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| Department |  Antioquia Department |
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| Subregion | Western | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 155 km2 (60 sq mi) | ||
| Elevation | 780 m (2,560 ft) | ||
| Population
(Census 2018)
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| • Total | 15,361 | ||
| • Density | 99.1/km2 (256.7/sq mi) | ||
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Colombia Standard Time) | ||
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San Jerónimo is a town and municipality in Colombia. It is located in the western part of the Department of Antioquia. The main town is about 35 kilometers (22 miles) from Medellín, which is the capital city of Antioquia. The whole area of the municipality is 155 square kilometers (60 square miles).
Contents
History of San Jerónimo
San Jerónimo has a rich and detailed history. Many old documents tell us about its past. This makes it one of the most historically important towns in the Antioquia department.
Early Inhabitants
Before the Spanish arrived, indigenous tribes lived here. These were the Ebéjicos and Peques tribes. Both groups were part of the larger Nutabes people. They lived in this area and the nearby valley of Ebéjico.
Spanish Arrival and New Names
When the Spanish conquerors came, they gave the place different names. First, it was called San Juan del Pie de la Cuesta. Just one year later, around 1613 to 1616, its name changed to San Jerónimo de los Cedros.
The land of San Juan del Pie de la Cuesta was very large. It was owned by the governor of the province, Don Gaspar de Rodas. Over time, these lands were bought and sold many times.
Official Founding
In 1757, the government of Antioquia officially created the "party" (which means a district or area) of San Jerónimo de los Cedros. This date is now seen as the official founding day of the municipality.
Birthplace of a Hero
In 1791, a famous hero named Atanasio Girardot was born in San Jerónimo. He became a hero for Colombia and played a big part in the Independence of Venezuela.
Where is San Jerónimo?
San Jerónimo shares its borders with several other towns. Here are its neighbors:
- North: Sopetrán
- Northeast: Belmira
- East: San Pedro de los Milagros
- Southeast: Bello
- South: Medellín (Palmitas)
- Southwest: Ebéjico
- West: Sopetrán
What's Special About San Jerónimo?
Today, San Jerónimo is a popular place for tourists. It has also become important for real estate and other businesses. This is because of the Fernando Gómez Martínez Tunnel. This amazing tunnel has cut the travel time from Medellín to San Jerónimo in half! It is one of the longest tunnels in Colombia and Latin America.
"The Land of Cocoa"
San Jerónimo is also known as "The Land of Cocoa." This shows how important cocoa farming is to the area.
A Tourist Paradise
Many people visit San Jerónimo because of its warm weather. It's a great place for a vacation. The hotels here are known for being very good. It's easy to get to from Medellín, and the Western Tunnel makes the trip even better.
Rivers and Roads
The town has good roads connecting it to Sopetrán, Ebéjico, Santa Fe de Antioquia, and Medellín. The main river that flows through the town is the Aurra River.
People of San Jerónimo
The total population of San Jerónimo was 15,361 people in 2018. About 6,704 people live in the town area, and 8,657 live in the countryside. Most people in San Jerónimo can read and write. In 2005, about 86.3% of the people were literate.
Who Lives Here?
According to a census from 2005, the people of San Jerónimo are mostly:
- Mestizos & Whites (92.9%) - These are people of mixed European and Indigenous ancestry, or European ancestry.
- Afro-Colombians (7.0%) - These are people of African descent.
- Indigenous (0.1%) - These are the native people of the land.
Economy and Jobs
The main ways people make a living in San Jerónimo are:
- Agriculture: They grow crops like plantains, coffee, and many different fruits and vegetables.
- Livestock: They raise animals for breeding and for milk.
- Tourism: Many people visit, so hotels, restaurants, and other tourist businesses are important.
Fun Festivities
San Jerónimo has several fun celebrations throughout the year:
- Live Holy Week Celebration: A special event during the Easter season.
- Patron Saint Festivities: Celebrated from September 21 to 30.
- Sun and Agro-tourism Festivities: Held on the second weekend of November.
- Foundation Festivities of San Jerónimo: These celebrations have been happening for centuries!
Delicious Food
Besides common Colombian and international foods, San Jerónimo has some unique local dishes. One interesting dish is "Morcilla." It's made with pig's blood and small intestines filled with rice and spices. You can also find many dishes made with the fresh fruits grown in the region. Traditional Paisa food (from the Antioquia region) and barbecues are also very popular.
Places to Visit
San Jerónimo has many interesting places to see:
- Church of Our Lady of Candelaria: This church has beautiful old paintings and sculptures from Europe.
- Waterfalls in Utuhuena (La Tasita): Natural waterfalls to explore.
- Archaeological Zone: Located in El Alto del Cedral, this area has historical importance.
- Aburrá Waterfall: Another lovely waterfall.
- Colonial Bridge: An old bridge on the road to “Poleal,” a small village.
- La Muñoz Stream: Found in the La Jungla area, very close to the Main Park.
- Angosturas Narrow: A narrow passage in the landscape.
- San Jerónimo Grotto: A natural cave.
- Haciendas and Recreational Parks: Large farms and parks where people can relax and have fun.
- Los Tamarindos Park: A popular park.
- Main Park: The central park of the town.
Famous People from San Jerónimo
Some well-known people were born or lived in San Jerónimo:
- Atanasio Girardot: A very important hero of Colombia's independence.
- Darío Gómez: Known as "The King of Spite," he was a famous Colombian popular music singer.
- Gloria Zapata: A talented actress who worked in theater and television.
- Sergio Lopez: A lawyer.
See also
In Spanish: San Jerónimo (Antioquia) para niños
