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Home > Travel Central America > Central America Destinations > Cali or Santiago de Cali, Valle del Cauca
Cali or Santiago de Cali, Valle del Cauca
Central America is the central geographic region of the Americas. It is variably defined either as being a region of the Americas. Santiago de Cali is the main city and capital of the Valle del Cauca Department in western Colombia. It was founded July 25, 1536 by Spanish conqueror Cpt Sebastian de Belalcazar.
In 2005, it had a the name Santiago de Cali comes in one part to honour Saint James the apostle Santiago in Spanish whose feast day is celebrated on July 25. About the word Cali there are several opinions about its possible origin. Some attribute it to a mispronunciation of the word Lili, the name of a local tribe. Others believe that the word Cali has quechua origin, and it was brought by the Yanaconas Indians that came from Quito serving Sebastian de Belalcazar.
Cali is located on the Cauca Valley to the west of the Cauca River and to the east of the Western Mountain Range near the hills known as Farallones de Cali. The city rests approximately 1,000 meters above sea level and its topography is fairly flat.
The founder of Cali, Sebastian de Belalcazar, came to the American continent in the third voyage made by Columbus in 1498. Cali was important for Belalcazar because it was beyond the Inca empire. Until the beginning of the 20th century Cali was a small village compared to other Colombian cities dependent on politically and economically. The consolidation of the railroad between the city and the Pacific Ocean in Buenaventura and the growing trade between this port and the interior cities transformed Cali from a small town to the most important city in the south and west of the country. Cali became the capital of the new Department of Valle del Cauca, which was created in the north part of the Old Cauca Department.
Cali has started building a massive transportation system, MIO, Masivo Integrado de Occidente which consists of special buses and bus routes. Cali is served by the Alfonso Bonilla Aragon International Airport. Cali is also known as the Capital de la Salsa given the city's infatuation with that type of Afro-Caribbean music. This place leaves a pleasing and unforgettable memory and justifies the proud cultural tradition of Central America.
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