Toro, Valle del Cauca facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Toro
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Municipality and town
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Location of the municipality and town of Toro in the Valle del Cauca Department of Colombia
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| Country |  Colombia |
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| Department | Valle del Cauca Department | ||
| Founded | 3 June 1537 | ||
| Founded by | Melchor Velásquez de Valdenebro | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 166 km2 (64 sq mi) | ||
| Elevation | 950 m (3,120 ft) | ||
| Population
(2015)
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| • Total | 16,394 | ||
| • Density | 98.76/km2 (255.8/sq mi) | ||
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Colombia Standard Time) | ||
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Toro is a town and municipality located in the northern part of the Valle del Cauca Department in Colombia. It is known for its warm climate.
Contents
What's in a Name? The Etymology of Toro
The name "Toro" likely comes from a city in Spain. It is thought that some of the Spanish explorers who first visited this area were from Toro province in Zamora, Spain. They might have named the new settlement after their hometown.
Toro's Past: A Brief History
Toro was officially founded on June 3, 1537. The person who founded it was Melchor Velásquez de Valdenebro. The town was later formally recognized in 1632.
How Toro Makes a Living: Economy and Products
The main ways people in Toro earn money are through farming, raising animals, and mining. Recently, farmers have grown more sugar cane, grapes, and passion fruit. Other important crops include coffee, bananas, beans, and corn.
Farming in Toro
- Coffee: Coffee is a very important crop, especially on the hillsides. Many farms focus only on growing coffee.
- Other Crops: Besides coffee, people also grow bananas, beans, cassava (yuca), cotton, and various vegetables.
- Mining: Mining is another part of the economy. Quartz and gold are among the main products found here.
Interesting Facts About Toro
- Average Temperature: The weather in Toro is usually warm, with an average temperature of 23 degrees Celsius (73 °F).
- Area: The municipality covers an area of about 166 square kilometers (64 square miles).
- Population: Around 19,076 people live in Toro.
- Distance from Cali: Toro is about 175 kilometers (108 miles) away from Cali, a larger city.
- Rivers: The main rivers flowing through Toro are the Toro, Induque, and San Lazaro rivers.
Places to Visit and Things to Do
Toro has some interesting places and events that visitors can enjoy.
San Juan Bautista Chapel
The San Juan Bautista Chapel is a very old church in Toro, about 450 years old. It still has its original wooden niches and beautiful religious statues. You can also see the original painting of San Juan Bautista that belongs to the altar. The old choir area and pulpit are still there too.
Festivals and Events
- Town Anniversary: Toro celebrates its anniversary with cultural events in August.
- Cinetoro: This is an International Experimental Film Festival. It showcases unique and artistic films.
Education and Services
Toro has several schools and colleges for students. It also has banks, hospitals, and a library to serve the community.
See also
In Spanish: Toro (Valle del Cauca) para niños
