Santiago de Cali, the city's complete name, is the capital of the Valle del Cauca, department in Colombia. It is the third largest city in the country, with an estimated 2003 population of 2.1.million (3.7 METROPOLITAN AREA).

Main Data

Cali is located between the western and center ranges of the valley of the Cauca river . The weather is warm and humid at day and fresh at night, and the surrounding hills cause it to be very windy. The average temperature is 25°C, (85°F) throughout the year, as there are no seasonal changes due to its proximity to the Equatorial line .

History

Santiago de Cali was founded by Sebastián de Belalcázar in July 25th, 1536. Initially, the city was established near the center of the Cauca valley, though it was moved to its current location a year after its foundation.

Places of Interest

La Ermita: Gothic-style church located in the downtown area and a well-known tourist destination.

La Tertulia: Museum of modern art.

Museo Arqueológico La Merced: Colonial-type church, converted into an archaeological museum displaying items from ancient cultures which inhabited the region in pre-Columbian times.

Museo del Oro del Banco de la República: Museum containing archaeological exhibits of pre-columbian cultures which existed in the region.

Cerro de las tres cruces: A hill embellished with three big crosses from which the whole city is visible.

Iglesia de San Antonio: Colonial-type church at the top of a hill.

Cerro de Cristo Rey: Another hill embellished with a large statue of Jesus Christ.

Canchas Panamericanas: Sports Complex that includes the Pascual Guerrero stadium, Evangelista Mora Gym, many sporting fields, pools and so forth. Is also widely known for a common iced drink (Cholado) sold here.

Pance: Extended rural zone at the south of the city frequently visited for leisure purposes, surrounded by plentiful vegetation and irrigated by the Pance river .

La Novena: This is a main street where you can find a lot of restaurants and fast-food places. It is located at the south and it's the caleño's preferred street to be after the big parties in Juanchito or the pink zone, at 3 A.M. Here you can buy hamburgers, hot-dogs, chorizos, etc.

External links

• Santiago de Cali City Hall
• Universidad del Valle
• Santiago de Cali University
• University of San Buenaventura
• Corporación Universitaria Autónoma de Occidente
• ICESI University

Other Definitions

• Also an abbreviation for California, the state within the United States of America. "Cali" seems to be slang more commonly used by those native to states other than California itself, particularly states along the Eastern seaboard, or more generally by those not currently in "Cali." Examples: "I wish I could go back to Cali," or "So you're from Cali, from the 'Left coast'?"