Sonsón facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sonsón
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Municipality and town
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| Nickname(s):
The City of Capiro, The City that Decided Never die
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Location of the municipality and town of Sonsón in the Antioquia Department of Colombia
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| Country |  Colombia |
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| Department |  Antioquia Department |
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| Subregion | Eastern | ||
| Founded | 4 August 1800 | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 1,323 km2 (510.81 sq mi) | ||
| Elevation | 2,475 m (8,120 ft) | ||
| Population
(2020 est.)
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| • Total | 33,598 | ||
| Demonym(s) | Sonsonian (sonsoneño) | ||
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Colombia Standard Time) | ||
| Area code(s) | +57 4 | ||
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Sonsón is a vibrant town and municipality located in the Antioquia Department of Colombia. It's nestled in the eastern part of Antioquia. Sonsón is also an important religious center, being one of the main locations for the Catholic Diocese of Sonsón–Rionegro.
Every August, Sonsón celebrates "Las Fiestas Del Maíz," which means 'Festival of the Corn.' This festival is a very old and important tradition in western Colombia. In 2020, about 33,598 people lived in Sonsón.
Contents
History of Sonsón
Sonsón was founded on August 4, 1800. A man named Mr. José Joaquín Ruiz y Zapata started the town with 77 people. He was a judge from the city of Arma de Rionegro.
The town was first called San José de Ezpeleta de Sonsón. This name honored its patron saint, San José (Saint Joseph), and the viceroy Ezpeleta.
In the early 1800s, Sonsón became a key place for people moving west in Colombia. It grew into an important center for money and trade in the Antioquia region. For many years, it was the second-largest city in the Department.
The Sonsón Municipality covers 1,323 square kilometers (510.81 sq mi). This makes it the 15th largest area in the Department. It has many different climates, from very cold mountain areas to warm lowlands. The municipality includes 105 small villages called veredas. These are spread across 8 larger areas called corregimientos (townships). This variety creates diverse crops, landscapes, and cultures.
Sonsón's Economy
The economy of Sonsón mostly depends on agriculture. This means growing crops and raising animals.
Because farming was so important, many people from Sonsón moved to other places. Some went to the Caribbean and other islands like St. Croix, Haiti, and St. Lucia. This happened during the time of the slave trade. These people were skilled in farming, art, business, and even politics.
Farmers in Sonsón grow many different products. These include potatoes, corn, tomatoes, coffee, and figs. They also produce milk. In the area of Magdalena Medio, there is a cement factory. Marble is also mined in the township of La Danta.
Getting Around Sonsón
Sonsón is connected to the city of Medellín by a main road. You can also travel from Sonsón to other nearby towns. These include Abejorral, La Unión, and Aguadas in the Department of Caldas.
This area was also known for the old Medellín - Bogotá motorway. Parts of the road are currently being paved. This work connects Sonsón to La Dorada, which is in the Caldas Department.
Sonsón's Climate
The main town area of Sonsón is usually cool. The average temperature is about 14°C (57.2°F). However, Sonsón is a very large municipality, covering 1,323 square kilometers (510.81 sq mi). This means it has many different climates. It is one of the few towns in Colombia that experiences all types of climates.
Some townships, like Alto de Sabanas or Los Medios, are warmer. Their average temperature is about 24°C (75.2°F). The Rioverdes area is even warmer, with an average of 27°C (80.6°F). The Sonsonian Magdalena Medio zone is the warmest, averaging 30°C (86°F).
Even in the main town area, nights are cool. The average night temperature is around 11°C (51.8°F). Sonsón is known for its clean air with very little pollution.
| Climate data for Sonsón, elevation 2,350 m (7,710 ft), (1970–2000) | |||||||||||||
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| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 17.7 (63.9) |
17.9 (64.2) |
18.3 (64.9) |
17.7 (63.9) |
17.6 (63.7) |
18.3 (64.9) |
18.5 (65.3) |
18.3 (64.9) |
18.3 (64.9) |
17.0 (62.6) |
17.1 (62.8) |
17.3 (63.1) |
17.8 (64.1) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 11.7 (53.1) |
11.5 (52.7) |
11.8 (53.2) |
12.0 (53.6) |
12.3 (54.1) |
12.4 (54.3) |
11.8 (53.2) |
12.2 (54.0) |
11.5 (52.7) |
11.4 (52.5) |
11.4 (52.5) |
11.2 (52.2) |
11.8 (53.2) |
| Average precipitation mm (inches) | 93.9 (3.70) |
121.4 (4.78) |
177.2 (6.98) |
242.3 (9.54) |
271.8 (10.70) |
184.1 (7.25) |
178.1 (7.01) |
184.5 (7.26) |
254.7 (10.03) |
284.2 (11.19) |
223.8 (8.81) |
129.9 (5.11) |
2,345.9 (92.36) |
| Average precipitation days | 15 | 16 | 20 | 23 | 23 | 19 | 16 | 17 | 22 | 24 | 22 | 18 | 235 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 84 | 83 | 86 | 90 | 89 | 83 | 82 | 82 | 85 | 93 | 91 | 90 | 87 |
| Source 1: FAO | |||||||||||||
| Source 2: Instituto de Hidrologia Meteorologia y Estudios Ambientales (precipitation 1981–2010) | |||||||||||||
Museums to Explore
Sonsón is known for having many museums. Some of the interesting ones include:
- Grandparent's House Museum.
- Pablo Jaramillo Museum.
- Museum of Religious Art.
- Festival of Corn's Museum.
- Sonsonian Press's Hall.
Places to Visit in Sonsón
Sonsón offers many interesting places to see:
- Architecture: You can find many old houses from the 1800s.
- Waterfalls: There are many beautiful waterfalls, some just 30 minutes from town.
- Landscapes: The area has many unique and amazing natural views.
- Main Square: Visit the main square to see "the most beautiful balcony in Antioquia."
- Paramo Zone: Explore the high-altitude grasslands.
- Alto de Sabanas: This township offers wonderful landscapes and delicious figs to eat.
Images for kids
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The main square of Sonsón.
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The flag of Sonsón.
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The coat of arms of Sonsón.
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Map showing Sonsón's location in Antioquia, Colombia.
See also
In Spanish: Sonsón para niños
