Santa Fe de Antioquia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Santa Fe de Antioquia
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Municipality and town
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Location of the municipality and town of Santa Fe de Antioquia in the Antioquia Department of Colombia
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 Santa Fe de 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 | 493 km2 (190 sq mi) | ||
| Population
(Census 2018)
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| • Total | 23,216 | ||
| • Density | 47.09/km2 (121.97/sq mi) | ||
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Colombia Standard Time) | ||
Santa Fe de Antioquia is a charming town and municipality in Antioquia Department, Colombia. It's about 58 kilometers (36 miles) north of Medellín, which is the capital city of the department. In 2018, about 23,216 people lived there.
Contents
History of Santa Fe de Antioquia
Santa Fe de Antioquia was founded in 1541. Jorge Robledo started the town as Villa de Santafé. It was built on the western bank of the Cauca River.
In 1545, King Philip II of Spain gave the town its own coat of arms. He also gave it the title City of Antioquia. In 1547, it became a parish by the bishop of Popayán. The town changed its name in 1584 when it became the capital of Antioquia. From the very beginning, it was a mining town. Gold mining has always been a big part of its economy.
The main church, called a cathedral, was built in 1799. In 1804, Pope Pius VII made it the center of the Diocese of Antioquia. In 1813, Antioquia was declared an independent state. Santa Fe was its capital until 1826. Then, Medellín became the new capital. Because its old buildings are so well preserved, Santa Fe de Antioquia was named a national monument in 1960.
Geography and Climate
The municipality covers an area of 493 square kilometers (190 square miles). It has mountains that are part of the Central Andes Mountains. The Cauca and Tonusco Rivers flow through the area.
Weather in Santa Fe de Antioquia
Santa Fe de Antioquia has a tropical and humid climate. This is typical for the Cauca River valley in Colombia. It's because the town is at a low height and close to the equator. The average temperature is about 25.5°C (78°F) all year. This nice weather helps tourism grow. Many hotels, hostels, and water parks are in the city. People from Medellín often visit them.
| Climate data for Santa Fe de Antioquia (Cotove Hda), elevation 530 m (1,740 ft), (1981–2010) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 35.5 (95.9) |
36.0 (96.8) |
35.6 (96.1) |
34.9 (94.8) |
33.9 (93.0) |
33.6 (92.5) |
34.2 (93.6) |
34.8 (94.6) |
34.1 (93.4) |
33.5 (92.3) |
33.4 (92.1) |
34.1 (93.4) |
34.5 (94.1) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | 27.9 (82.2) |
28.4 (83.1) |
28.4 (83.1) |
27.5 (81.5) |
26.7 (80.1) |
26.6 (79.9) |
26.8 (80.2) |
27.1 (80.8) |
26.4 (79.5) |
26.0 (78.8) |
26.3 (79.3) |
26.8 (80.2) |
27 (81) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 20.1 (68.2) |
20.7 (69.3) |
20.8 (69.4) |
21.0 (69.8) |
20.8 (69.4) |
20.6 (69.1) |
20.4 (68.7) |
20.3 (68.5) |
20.2 (68.4) |
20.4 (68.7) |
20.2 (68.4) |
20.2 (68.4) |
20.4 (68.7) |
| Average precipitation mm (inches) | 18.8 (0.74) |
30.0 (1.18) |
46.5 (1.83) |
86.5 (3.41) |
143.0 (5.63) |
110.2 (4.34) |
101.8 (4.01) |
108.8 (4.28) |
144.2 (5.68) |
151.1 (5.95) |
87.6 (3.45) |
46.7 (1.84) |
1,075.2 (42.33) |
| Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm) | 5 | 7 | 10 | 15 | 19 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 18 | 19 | 14 | 9 | 157 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 68 | 66 | 68 | 74 | 78 | 79 | 77 | 75 | 77 | 80 | 79 | 75 | 75 |
| Mean monthly sunshine hours | 220.1 | 194.8 | 182.9 | 162.0 | 167.4 | 186.0 | 213.9 | 204.6 | 171.0 | 167.4 | 174.0 | 192.2 | 2,236.3 |
| Mean daily sunshine hours | 7.1 | 6.9 | 5.9 | 5.4 | 5.4 | 6.2 | 6.9 | 6.6 | 5.7 | 5.4 | 5.8 | 6.2 | 6.1 |
| Source: Instituto de Hidrologia Meteorologia y Estudios Ambientales | |||||||||||||
Economy of Santa Fe de Antioquia
The economy of Santa Fe de Antioquia mainly relies on farming. The most important crops grown here are coffee, maize (corn), and beans.
Tourism and Attractions
Tourism is a very important part of Santa Fe de Antioquia's economy. In 2006, the Tunnel of the West opened. This tunnel made it much faster and shorter to travel between Santa Fe and Medellín. Because of this, hundreds of tourists visit every weekend. This has made the area a popular place for summer vacations.
In 2017, a project started to improve the main town square. It was finished in 2018. The project stopped cars from driving through the square. It also added beautiful gardens with help from the Botanical Garden of Medellín.
In 2010, Santa Fe was named a Pueblo Patrimonio (heritage town) of Colombia. It was the only town in Antioquia chosen for this special group. This means it's a place with important history and culture.
Places to Visit
The entire town of Santa Fe de Antioquia is like a historical site. Its old buildings have been kept very well over the years. This makes the city feel like it's "stuck" in the old colonial times. That's why it was declared a National Monument.
Here are some famous places to see:
- Puente de Occidente (Bridge of the West): This is a suspension bridge built in 1887. It crosses the Cauca River and is a National Monument.
- Metropolitan Cathedral: The main church of the city.
- Archiepiscopal Palace: A grand building near the cathedral.
- Plaza Mayor Juan de Corral: The main town square, now with beautiful gardens.
- Museum of Religious Art: A museum showing religious artworks.
- The House of the Two Palms: A historic house.
- La Playita: A famous ranch south of the main square.
- Tonusco Campestre: A place for outdoor activities.
See also
In Spanish: Santa Fe de Antioquia para niños
