Santa Marta Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids

Santa Marta

District and city

Top: Panorama of the Cienaga Grande de Santa Marta, 2nd left: Mirador in Cabo San Juan del Guia, Tayrona Natural Park, 2nd right: Santa Marta Cathedral, 3rd left: Statue of Simon Bolívar in Quinta of Saint Pedro Alejandrino, 3rd upper middle: Colombian National Pantheon in Barrio Mamatoco, 3rd lower middle: Santa Marta City Hall, 3rd right: Tribute to the Tayrona Ethnicity Square, Bottom: Panorama of Acuático El Rodadero Park

Flag	Coat of arms

Nickname(s):

America's Pearl (La Perla de America)

Location in the Department of Magdalena.
Municipality (red)
City (dark grey)

Santa Marta

Location in Colombia

Country

Colombia

Region

Caribbean Region

Department

Magdalena

Foundation

July 29, 1525

Founded by

Rodrigo de Bastidas

Named for

Martha

Area

• District and city

2,393.65 km² (924.07 sq mi)

• Urban

55.10 km² (21.27 sq mi)

Elevation

15 m (49 ft)

Population

(2018 Census)

• District and city

499,192

• Density

208.5485/km² (540.210/sq mi)

• Urban

455,299

• Urban density

8,263.1/km² (21,406/sq mi)

DANE

Demonym(s)

Samario

Time zone

UTC-05:00 (Colombia Time)

Postal codes

470001–470017

Area code(s)

57 + 5

Website

Official website: http://www.santamarta-magdalena.gov.co

Santa Marta is a lively port city located on the coast of the Caribbean Sea in northern Colombia. It is also known as the Historic, Cultural & Tourist District of Santa Marta. This city is the capital of the Magdalena Department. It is the fourth-largest city in Colombia's Caribbean Region.

Santa Marta was founded on July 29, 1525, by the Spanish explorer Rodrigo de Bastidas. It was one of the very first Spanish settlements in Colombia. It is also the oldest city that is still standing in Colombia. In fact, it is the second oldest city in all of South America. The city sits on a beautiful bay, making it a popular spot for tourists in the Caribbean.

History of Santa Marta
- Ancient Times: Before Europeans Arrived
The Flag of Santa Marta
Where Santa Marta Is Located
Santa Marta's Climate
Santa Marta's Economy
- City Infrastructure
Images for kids
Famous People from Santa Marta
Santa Marta in Media
See also

History of Santa Marta

Ancient Times: Before Europeans Arrived

Before Europeans came, many native groups lived in South America. We do not know everything about these groups. This is because of the tropical weather and heavy rain. Also, many records were lost or changed by the Spanish conquerors.

One important group was the Tairona people. They built medium to large towns. These towns had stone paths, terraces, and protected water systems. They also had special areas for growing food. The Tairona people were very advanced for their time. They grew crops like corn, pineapple, and yucca.

Archaeologists have found old Tairona sites. These sites show well-made terraces and small underground stone channels. The Tairona were also known for collecting and processing salt. Salt was a very important item for trading with other native groups. They traded with groups along the coast and inland. Many beautiful items made of pottery, stone, and gold have been found from their time.

The Flag of Santa Marta

The flag of Santa Marta has two main colors: white and blue. The white color stands for peace. It shows that everyone in Santa Marta is united. The blue color represents the sky and the sea. It also symbolizes the magic of the horizon. And it reminds people of the snow-capped Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountains nearby.

Where Santa Marta Is Located

A satellite view of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta.

Santa Marta is located on Santa Marta Bay. This bay is part of the Caribbean Sea. The city is in the Magdalena province of Colombia. It is about 992 kilometers (616 miles) from Bogotá, the capital of Colombia. It is also 93 kilometers (58 miles) from Barranquilla. To the north and west, Santa Marta is bordered by the Caribbean Sea. To the south, it borders the towns of Aracataca and Ciénaga.

Santa Marta's Climate

Santa Marta has a tropical savanna climate. This means it has warm temperatures all year round. It also has a dry season and a wet season. The dry season runs from December to April. The wet season lasts from May to November.

Santa Marta's Economy

The economy of Santa Marta depends on a few main things. These are tourism, trade, and port activities. Fishing and agriculture are also important. The main crops grown in the area are bananas, coffee, cocoa, and cassava.

City Infrastructure

Santa Marta is a very important port city. The Simón Bolívar International Airport is about 16 kilometers (10 miles) from the city center. A famous historical figure, Simón Bolívar, died here. This was a very important event for all of South America. His old home, called La Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino, is just outside the city center. The city center is very close to the coast. This has made it a bit tricky to control how much the city grows. Rodadero is a popular tourist area that is part of Santa Marta.