There is hardly a city or town in northern South America where you can’t find a statue of Simón Bolívar. There is even one in New York’s Central Park. Known as “the Liberator,” Bolívar is […]
After declaring its independence as a free and sovereign state in November of 1811, the new sovereign Free State of Cartagena needed patriotic symbols. Today the city continues to use the same flag adopted at independence […]
A key figure in the independence of Cartagena, Pedro Romero was a free mulatto artisan. His support for independence was a key factor in the passage of Cartagena’s Declaration of Independence. Often overlooked, Pedro Romero’s […]
By 1811, there were increasing calls for independence in Spain’s colonies in the Americas, among them the colony of New Granada, made up of present day Ecuador, Panama, Venezuela, and Colombia. These calls eventually brought […]
On November of 1811, Cartagena declared independence from Spain. It was the first area of modern day Colombia to set up a truly functioning, independent government that rejected Spanish rule. However, the city had been a […]
Every November, the city of Cartagena, Colombia holds a carnival in celebration of the city’s declaration of independence in November 1811. Featuring a parade, a beauty pageant, and tons of dancing in the streets, the […]
In the Spring of 1741, a massive British force led by Edward Vernon attempted to take Cartagena, Colombia. He hoped to deal a crucial blow to Spanish power and trade in the Caribbean. Outnumbered by […]
The largest colonial Spanish fortification on mainland South America, the Castillo San Felipe Fortress in Cartagena, Colombia has a rich history. First built in the 17th century, the fortress fell once to the French but […]
Located just a short cannon ball’s throw outside of Cartagena’s historic walled city, the Castillo San Felipe Fortress is hard to miss, and it is certainly a can’t miss activity during a visit to Cartagena. […]
From June to October every year, humpback whales travel north from the Antarctic to the warmer waters off of Colombia’s Pacific coast to mate and give birth. By traveling to the area, visitors can get […]
This Sunday August 26, 2018, Colombians will take to the polls to vote in an anti-corruption referendum. While, there’s a bit of snickering that people have to vote at all against corruption, the referendum proposes […]
If you are live and work in Colombia, you are entitled to a pension. You and your employer are required to contribute to the pension fund in Colombia. Read on for a guide to pension […]
If you are employed in Colombia, you have a legal right to cesantías, a form of bonus/unemployment insurance. While the system is somewhat difficult to wrap your head around at first, it’s fairly simply once you […]
Every year, August 7 is a holiday in Colombia. This date celebrates a decisive patriot victory over Spanish and royalist forces during Colombia’s struggle for independence. What happened on August 7, 1819, and why is […]
If you are an expat, living and working in Colombia, it’s worth understanding your paycheck. In this guide to Colombian paychecks, I will explain what may appear on your paycheck, including what is deducted from […]
