Cúcuta
623811
224992300
2008-07-11T10:29:59Z
190.90.107.2
/* Symbols */
{{coor title dms|7|53|39|N|72|30|14|W|type:city}}
{{Infobox City
|official_name = Cúcuta
|nickname = City without borders
|motto = More progress!
|image_skyline = Cucuta skyline night.jpg
|imagesize = 300px
|image_caption = Skyline of Cúcuta
|image_flag = Flag of Cúcuta.svg
|image_seal = Cucutaseal.png
|image_map = MunsNorteSantander-cucuta.png
|mapsize = 200px
|map_caption = Map of Cúcuta in the Norte de Santander Department. Urban in red, municipality in dark gray
|subdivision_type = [[Countries of the world|Country]]
|subdivision_type1 = [[Departments of Colombia|Department]]
|subdivision_name = [[Colombia]]
|subdivision_name1 = [[Norte de Santander]]
|leader_title = [[Mayor]]
|leader_name = [[Maria Eugenia Riascos]]
|established_title = Foundation
|established_date = [[June 17]], [[1733]]<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.lablaa.org/blaavirtual/revistas/credencial/sept2001/ciudades.htm
|title=Cities and towns foundations
|publisher=Luis Ángel Arango Library
|accessdate=2008-01-07}}</ref>
|area_magnitude =
|area_total_sq_mi =
|area_total_km2 = 1176
|area_land_sq_mi =
|area_land_km2 =
|area_water_sq_mi =
|area_water_km2 =
|area_water_percent =
|area_urban_sq_mi =
|area_urban_km2 =
|area_metro_sq_mi =
|area_metro_km2 =
|population_as_of = 2005-2006 Census
|population_note =
|population_total = 918.942
|population_footnotes =<sup> [http://www.dane.gov.co/files/investigaciones/poblacion/series_proyecciones/Dptos/norte_sant.xls]</sup>
|population_metro = 1298187
|population_urban =
|population_density_km2 =
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|timezone =
|utc_offset = -5
|timezone_DST =
|utc_offset_DST =
|latd= |latm= |lats= |latNS=
|longd= |longm= |longs= |longEW=
|elevation_m = 325
|elevation_ft =
|website = <br>[http://www.alcaldiadecucuta.gov.co www.alcaldiadecucuta.gov.co]
|footnotes =
}}
'''Cúcuta''' ({{pronounced|ˈkukuta}}) is a [[List of cities in Colombia|colombian city]], capital of the [[North Santander Department]] and located in the northeast of the country. Due to its proximity to the Colombian-[[Venezuela]]n border, Cúcuta is an important commercial center. The city has the constitutional category of [[Districts of Colombia|Special District]]<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.presidencia.gov.co/prensa_new/leyes/2007/julio/acto_legislativo_02060707.pdf
|title=Constitution of 1991 - Legislative Act N° 2 - July 6, 2007
|publisher=Presidence of the Republic of Colombia
|accessdate=2008-01-07}}</ref> and conforms the most active international border in South America.<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.comunidadandina.org/documentos/docSG/Ayudamemoria14-4-05.htm
|title=Characterizing the Colombo-Venezuelan border
|publisher=Andean Comunity of Nations
|accessdate=2008-01-07}}</ref>
According to the 2005 census it has has a population 918,942 inhabitants, which rank it as the 5th largest city in the country. The [[Metropolitan Area of Cúcuta]] (conformed by other 6 municipalities) has a population of 1'298.187 inhabitants, having the same position in the conurbations.
It is situated in the [[Cordillera Oriental, Colombia|Cordillera Oriental]] in the [[Andes]] and is connected with [[Venezuela]] through the [[Pan-American Highway]]. Its area of 1176 km² represents 5.65% of the department. Its altitude is 320 m above sea level, with an average temperature 28°C and annual average precipitation of 1,041 mm.
The city is bordered to the east by Venezuela and [[Puerto Santander]], to the south by [[Villa del Rosario]], [[Bochalema]], and [[Los Patios]], to the north by [[Tibú]], and to the west by [[El Zulia]] and [[San Cayetano (Norte de Santander)|San Cayetano]].<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.camaracomerciocucuta.org.co/ciudad/geograficos.htm
|title=Borders of Cúcuta
|publisher=Chamber of Commerce of Cúcuta
|accessdate=2008-01-07}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.cucutanuestra.com/temas/geografia/Norte_mapas_datos/images/municipios_grandes/cucuta.jpg
|title=Map of Cúcuta
|publisher=CúcutaNuestra.com
|accessdate=2008-01-07}}</ref>
<div style="font-size:95%">__TOC__</div>
== Etymology ==
[[Image:Cúcuta (Alcaldía).jpg|thumb|left|City Hall of Cúcuta]]
The city of Cúcuta was called San José de Guasimales from 1733 to 1793<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9028119/Cucuta
|title=Cúcuta
|publisher=Enciclopedia Britannica
|accessdate=2008-01-07}}</ref>, the year in which the name changed to San José de Cúcuta—"San José" ([[Saint Joseph]]) denotes the Virgin Mary's husband, and "Cúcuta" means "The House of Goblins", from the language of the [[Barí]] [[Indigenous peoples|indigenous group]].<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.cccucuta.org.co/c.c.c/web/laciudad/datos.php
|title=The city - Geographical data
|publisher=Chamber of Commerce of Cúcuta
|accessdate=2008-01-07}}</ref>
In the city's seal, a legend states, ''Muy Noble, Valerosa y Leal Villa de San José de Cúcuta'' ("Very Noble, Valiant and Loyal Village of San José of Cúcuta").<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://html.rincondelvago.com/files/9/7/1/0001597113.jpg
|title=Seal of Cúcuta
|publisher=Rincón del Vago
|accessdate=2008-01-07}}</ref>
The city has the nicknames "City Without Borders", "Gem of the North," and "City Forest."<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.laopinion.com.co/esp45_14.asp
|title=Cúcuta is declared green municipality
|publisher=La Opinión
|accessdate=2008-01-07}}</ref>.
== History ==
{{main|History of Cúcuta}}
[[Image:General Santander.jpg|right|thumb|250px|[[Francisco de Paula Santander|General Santander]]]]
Cúcuta was originally a [[pre-hispanic]] settlement. It was entrusted to Sebastian Lorenzo by [[Pedro de Ursúa|Pedro de Ursua]] as an [[encomienda]] in 1550. Juana Rangel de Cuellar founded
Cúcuta on [[June 17]], 1733, and donated a further 782 hectares. The village, centred on a church, grew considerably due to its strategic commercial location, and eventually became a city.<ref>{{cite web
| publisher=Norte de Santander
| url=http://www.nortedesantander.gov.co/nortedesantander/home_1/htm/cont.jsp?rec=not_298.jsp
| title=San José de Cúcuta
}}</ref>
In city took place important historical events that forged Colombia as an independent republic: one of these events was the [[Congress of Cúcuta|Congress of 1821]], where the Constitution of Cúcuta was written and approved. This constituion created the [[Greater Colombia]], a big nation conformed by the actual territories of [[Colombia]], [[Venezuela]], [[Ecuador]] and [[Panama]]. The city conserves all the places where this historical events took place; see [[Historical Church of Cúcuta]], [[House of Santander]] and [[Park of the Great Colombia]].
As scenario of the [[Battle of Cúcuta]] ([[February 28]], [[1813]]) the city was the beginning of the [[Admirable Campaign]] led by [[Simón Bolívar]]. This result of this campaign was the independence of Venezuela.
===16th Century: First european incursions===
The first european who was in the [[North Santander]] territories was the german [[Conquistador|conqueror]] Ambrosio Alfinger, who in 1530 came from [[Santa Ana de Coro]] ([[Venezuela]]) with a troops of aventurers and invaded the unexplorered eastern region of the newly created Gobernation of Santa Marta.
Alfínger, in search of El Dorado, arrived to the area of indigenous settlements called Tamalameque, along the Magdalena River, where they kept fighting and underwent several tribes, as devastating for the tribe of the nation Chimila. Then followed [[Giron]] ([[Department of Santander|Santander]]), travelled Province of Ocaña from south to north and then returned to the Province of Pamplona to be killed in Chitacomar on the outskirts of the municipality of current Chinácota, by the Indian chimila "Francisquillo" in a battle with the Indians Chimilas and Chitareros. Dead Alfínger, Fedro St. Martin took command of the troops and she returned to Coro passing through the territory of Cucuta.
[[Image:Cúcuta - 1800.jpg|left|thumb|250px|Cúcuta. Century 19th.]]
The 1541 Hernan Perez de Quesada, reached the territory of [[Chinácota]], but had to turn back the same year due to the resistance of indigenous people. Shortly thereafter, Alfonso Perez de Tolosa, left Tocuyo (Venezuela) and went to [[Salazar de Las Palmas]], through Cúcuta, but also had to turn back after losing a lot of soldiers in clashes with the natives.
In 1549 another Spanish troops, commanded by [[Pedro de Ursúa]] and Ortún Velasco, invaded the actual territory of [[North Santander]] and the same year reached the valleys of Pamplona, where in tribute to the Spanish [[Pamplona]] founded a city under the name [[Pamplona, Norte de Santander|New Pamplona]]. The new town soon attracted numerous people by the goodness of climate and the rich gold mines that were discovered in the region. From there came after the expeditions who completed the conquest of the current territory of [[North Santander]].
The first expedition commanded by Diego de Montes, founded the town of Salazar, which soon was destroyed by the Cacique Cínera. In 1583 the town was rebuilt Alonso Esteban Rangel (great-grandfather of the founder of Cucuta) on a site more appropriate for the defense in the event of new attacks by the natives.
The second expedition was commaned by the captain Francisco Fernández de Contreras, who reached to the lands of the Hacaritamas indigenous group, and July 26, 1572 founded the [[Ocaña, Norte de Santander|city of Ocaña]] and called it "Santa Ana de Hacarí", while some of his colleagues the called New Madrid, and other Santa Ana of Ocaña. Antonio Orozco, subaltern of Fernandez, founded the next year, the town of Teorama, while the [[Augustinians|Friars Augustinians]] founded a convent in what is today the city of [[Chinácota]].
===17th Century: Foundation===
{| class="toccolours" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 2em; font-size: 85%; background:#d3d3d3; color:black; width:30em; max-width: 25%;" cellspacing="5"
| style="text-align: left;" |
<font face="Times New Romans">"A journey through the city centre where the Cathedral of St. Joseph, the Palace of Government and the Monument to the column of Bolivar are located is returning to the historical roots of our ancestors.".</font>
|-
| style="text-align: left;" | — [[El Espectador]]
|}
In the early 16th century a great part of the valleys of Cúcuta belonged to Captain Christopher de Araque Ponce de Leon. The land passed through inheritance to his son Fernando Araque Ponce de Leon, who was owner of the entire territory from the Valley of Cucuta to the village of San Jose; jurisdiction of the city of San Faustino. These fields had been donated to the master Araque by the Governor of the Province of New Merida heading in [[September 9]], [[1630]].
The constant hostility of the Motilones indigenous group with the whites who lived in the valley and the economic ambitions of them, were key factos to request the erection of a parish with the name "San José" and populate it if they get the license.
Considering that the whites were going to request the erection of a parish and that they had selected Guasimal -along the Pamplonita river- for it, [[Juana Rangel de Cuéllar]] donated 782 hectares in [[June 17]], [[1783]] for the construction of a church and a place for Spanish families were established in what today is the neighbourhood of San Luis.
===19th Century: Major events===
====Battle of Cúcuta====
[[Image:Battle of Cúcuta (canon).jpg|250px|thumb|left|Monument to the Battle of Cúcuta. March, 2007]]
The [[Battle of Cúcuta]] was one of the most important events of the 19th century, due it is part of the independece of Colombia and Venezuela. It was the beginning of the [[Admirable Campaign]] of [[Simón Bolívar]].<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.fpolar.org.ve/nosotros/historia/campadm.html
|title=Admirable Campaign
|publisher=Polar Foundation
|accessdate=2008-02-07}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.fpolar.org.ve/nosotros/historia/campadm.html
|title=Admirable Campaign
|publisher=Polar Foundation
|accessdate=2008-02-07}}</ref> On [[February 28]] [[1813]], the Libertador captured the city. The battle lasted from 9:00 a.m. until noon; 400 men led by Bolivar fought 800 troops led by the Spanish general Ramon Correa. Two colombian soldiers were killed and 14 injured; on the opposing side, 20 Spanish forces were killed and 40 injured.<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.simon-bolivar.org/bolivar/campana_admirable.html
|title=Admirable Campaign
|publisher=Simón-Bolívar.org
|accessdate=2008-02-07}}</ref> The victory gave the independence to the city of Cúcuta and started the [[Admirable Campaign]].<ref>{{cite web
| url=http://www.fpolar.org.ve/nosotros/historia/campadm.html
| title=Campaña Admirable
| accessdate=2006-02-11
}} {{es icon}}</ref>
Colonel Simón Bolívar, launched a major offensive against the Spanish forces who were on the east bank of the Magdalena River and quickly achieved resounding victories that carried him to undertake a journey to liberate the Valleys of Cúcuta held by the realistic command of Colonel Ramon Correa.
On [[February 28]], [[1813]], Correa attended Mass very early in the morning, while Bolivar's troops were mobilized by the western hills overlooking the town of San Jose de Cúcuta. Correa to meet the patriots with over 800 well-equipped men. It was placed rifle shot from the hills occupied by insurgents and the battle begins. A batch of 100 rifle king's attempts to dominate the right flank of the army Creole, but a rapid change of position left without effect the movement. The fight was bitter and conflicted. During four hours did not favour any of the sides, until the one p.m. a burden on the bayonet sorted by Bolivar's victory gave the Patriots. Correa then began withdrawing toward San Antonio del Tachira and then to La Grita with his troops decimated.
====Congress of Cúcuta====
In 1821, the [[Congress of Cúcuta]] wrote and signed the [[Constitution of Cúcuta]] (also known as Constitution of the Greater Colombia) at the [[historic church of Cúcuta]]. The constitution unified [[Viceroyalty of New Granada|New Granada]] (Colombia and Panamá), [[Ecuador]], and [[Venezuela]] into the new country, [[Greater Colombia]].
====Constitution of Cúcuta====
====Earthquake of Cúcuta====
On [[18 May]] [[1875]], the city was largely destroyed by the [[earthquake of Cúcuta]], also known as the "Earthquake of the Andes", but was soon rebuilt. The earthquake occurred at 11:15 a.m.; it destroyed Villa del Rosario, [[San Antonio del Tachira]] and Capacho, seriously damaged the Venezuelan settlements of [[San Cristóbal]], La Mulata, Rubio, Michelena, La Grita and Colón (among others), and was felt in [[Bogotá]] and [[Caracas]].
====Industrial Revolution====
[[Image:Estación Cúcuta - 1910.jpg|thumb|Railroad of Cúcuta – 1910]]
In the 19th century, the construction of a railroad set off an [[Industrial Revolution]] in the city. The railroad had four branches: North, East, South and West.<ref>{{cite web
| publisher=Biblioteca Luis Ángel Arango
| url=http://www.lablaa.org/blaavirtual/exhibiciones/ferrocarriles/secciones/ferrocarril_cucuta.htm
| title=Ferrocarril de Cúcuta
| accessdate=2007-02-11
}}</ref> The North branch was constructed from 1878 to 1888, and connected Cúcuta with [[Puerto Santander]] and Venezuela. Construction of the East branch began in and South branches began in 1878; the South branch linked with [[Pamplona, Colombia]], and ended in [[El Diamante]]. The West branch was not built owing to economic problems. The [[Railway company|railroad company]] fell into bankruptcy and was closed in 1960.<ref>{{cite web
| publisher=Diario La Opinión
| url=http://www.laopinion.com.co/esp45_22.asp
| title=Especial 45 años
| accessdate=2007-02-11
}}</ref>
The population of the city's metropolitan area was 59,323 in 1939, 532,564 in 1990, and 950,000 in 2005.<ref name=COLFTA>{{cite web
| url=http://www.dane.gov.co/files/investigaciones/poblacion/series_proyecciones/Dptos/norte_sant.xls
| title= Colombia. Proyecciones de población, por área, según municipios
| publisher= Departmento Administrativo Nacional De Estadistica (DANE)
|format=Excel spreadsheet
| accessdate=2006-10-15
}} {{es icon}}</ref>
Many of the city's historic buildings lie within the [[Park of Greater Colombia]], including the [[House of Santander]], the [[historic church]], and the [[historic tamarind]]. All these are well preserved.<ref>{{cite web
| publisher=Ministerio de Cultura de Colombia
| url=http://www.mincultura.gov.co/VBeContent/NewsDetail.asp?ID=627&IDCompany=9
| title=Centro Histórico Villa del Rosario
}}</ref>
==Geography, climate and layout==
=== Geography===
{{main|Hydrography of Cúcuta and North Santander|Geography of Cúcuta}}
The city is located in the eastern part of the [[Departments of Colombia|Department]] of [[North Santander]], in the [[Cordillera Oriental, Colombia|Cordillera Oriental]], close to the border with [[Venezuela]]. The city's area is 1,176 km², or 5.65% of the area of [[North Santander]]. The elevation is {{convert|320|m|ft|0}} [[Above mean sea level|above sea-level]].
Rivers in Cúcuta and Norte de Santander include the [[Pamplonita River]], [[Guaramito River]], [[San Miguel River]] and [[Zulia River]].<ref>{{cite web
| url=http://web.minambiente.gov.co/ecorre/peramb16/oferta.htm
| author=Ministerio del Medio Ambiente
| title=Colombia; Rio de Cucuta
| accessdate=2006-10-15
}} {{es icon}}</ref>
The Pamplonita River crosses the [[Norte de Santander Department]].
<div align=center>
{| class="wikitable" align=center
|-
! Zones
(''Comunas'')
! Small towns
(''Corregimientos'')
! Settlements
(''Caseríos'')
|-
|
* #1, Centro
* #2, Centro Oriental
* #3, Sur Oriental
* #4, Oriental
* #5, Nororiental
* #6, Norte
* #7, Noroccidental
* #8, Occidental
* #9, Suroccidental
* #10, Cementerio
|
* Aguaclara
* Banco de Arena
* La Buena Esperanza
* El Soldado
* Puerto Villamizar
* Ricaurte
* San Faustino
* San Pedro
* Guaramito
* El Palmarito.
|
* Arrayanes
* Boconó
* Alto Viento
* El Carmen
* El Pórtico
* El Rodeo
* La jarra
* Puerto León
* Puerto Nuevo.
|}
</div>
<div align=center>
<!-- galería de mapas -->
{| class="toc" cellpadding=0 cellspacing=2 width=600px style="float:center; margin: 0.5em 0.5em 0.5em 1em; padding: 0.5e text-align:left;clear:all; margin-left:3px; font-size:90%"
|colspan=4 style="background:#black; color:white; font-size:120%" align=center bgcolor="black"|'''Maps of Cúcuta'''
|-
|align=center valign=center bgcolor="white" | [[Image:Imagen Satelital de Cucuta.jpg|200px]]
|align=center valign=center bgcolor="white" | [[Image:Cucuta-detailed.png|200px]]
|-
| style="background:#e9e9e9;" align=center | Satellite map
| style="background:#e9e9e9;" align=center | Urban map
|-
|}
</div>
=== Climate ===
The mean temperature is 28.0 °C; high temperatures are around 35 °C. There is a sharp contrast between the [[wet season]] and the [[dry season]]. The driest months are December, January, February and March; the wettest are April, May, September, October and November. June and July usually have significant precipitation, whereas August is sunny and windy. The annual precipitation is around 1,041 mm.<ref>{{cite web
| url=http://www.camaracomerciocucuta.org.co/ciudad/geograficos.htm
| author=Chamber of Commerce of Cúcuta
| title=Geographical Data
| accessdate=2007-02-13
}} {{es icon}}</ref>
<div align=center>
{| class="toc" cellpadding=0 cellspacing=2 width=600px style="float:center; margin: 0.5em 0.5em 0.5em 1em; padding: 0.5e text-align:left;clear:all; margin-left:3px; font-size:90%"
|colspan=4 style="background:#black; color:white; font-size:120%" align=center bgcolor="black"|'''Climate of Cúcuta'''
|-
|align=center valign=center bgcolor="white" | [[Image:Cucuta Tmp Min Max.GIF|200px]]
|align=center valign=center bgcolor="white" | [[Image:Cucuta Tmp M Maxima Media Minima.GIF|220px]]
|-
| style="background:#e9e9e9;" align=center | Maximum (red) and minimum (blue) temperature of Cúcuta
| style="background:#e9e9e9;" align=center | Medium temperature of Cúcuta
|-
|}
</div>
=== Layout ===
Cúcuta's streets are organized in a [[Grid plan|grid]] layout adopted from Spain in colonial times. ''Calles'' (streets) traverse from east to west, perpendicular to the hills, and numbering increases to the north and to the south <!-- PROOFREADER'S NOTE: Unclear; the streets run east-west and the numbers can only increase in one direction --> from Calle 1. ''Avenidas'' (avenues) traverse from south to north, parallel to the hills, and numbering increases east to west <!--| PROOFREADER'S NOTE: Unclear; the streets run north-south and the numbers can only increase in one direction --> from Carrera 1.
More than 300 neighborhoods form the urban network. Affluent neighborhoods are primarily situated in the north and north-east; poorer ones are in the south and south-east, many of them squatter areas. The middle class lives mostly in the central, west and northwest areas.
== Symbols ==
[[Image:Cúcuta - Av. Libertadores.JPG|thumb|right|250px|Monumento to [[Simón Bolívar]] and [[Francisco de Paula Santander]] – Cúcuta, Colombia]]
===Flag===
The red and black [[North Santander Department]] flag was exhibited for the first time in 1928, when the first National Olympics were held in [[Cali]]. However, the ''flag of Cúcuta''<ref name="Simbolos de Cúcuta"/> was not legalized until Mayor Carlos A. Rangel issued Decree 106 on May 3, 1988.
===Seal===
The shield of Cúcuta<ref name="Simbolos de Cúcuta"/> was adopted in 1958 by Decree 032 on [[February 3]], [[1958]], after a request by the History Academy of North Santander. The shield is a classic shape, and carries the title conferred to the city by Royal Decree of the Emperor [[Carlos IV]]: ''Very noble, valiant and loyal Village of San José of Cúcuta''.
The upper part depicts the weapons of the city's founder Juana Rangel of Cuéllar, who donated lands for the foundation of the city on [[June 17]], [[1733]]. They are five silver and red [[fleur-de-lis]] in the shape of reels, on a golden background.
The lower part of the shield displays the weapons that the '' National Congress'' adopted for [[Colombia]] by the Law of [[October 6]], [[1821]], at its meeting in the [[Villa del Rosario]]. In the center are a quiver of spears, marked with X's, and a set of bow and arrows, tied with tricolor tape. The spears represent attributes of the Roman consuls; the X is a symbol of the right of life or death; the bow and arrows are symbols of the Hispanic Indu race.
===Anthem===
The ''Anthem of Cúcuta''<ref name="Simbolos de Cúcuta">{{cite web
|url=http://www.cucutanuestra.com/temas/gobierno/simbolos_cucuta.htm
|title=Símbolos de Cúcuta
|publisher=CúcutaNuestra.com
|accessdate=2008-01-07}}</ref> was legalized by means of Decree 039 of [[February 8]], [[1984]], by Mayor Luis Vicente Mountain Forest. The lyrics were written by Dr. Manuel Orillo Martínez, and the music by the master Pablo Tarazona Prada. It was chosen as the Anthem of Cúcuta by a unanimous vote in a contest held in the Theater Zulima.
== Demographics ==
=== Population ===
Cúcuta has undergone a large demographic growth, having 387,481 inhabitants in 1951 and now, 1,196,775. It is the sixth most populous city in Colombia. The metropolitan area, which includes the municipalities of [[Villa del Rosario]], [[Los Patios]], [[El Zulia]], [[San Cayetano]] and [[Puerto Santander]], has a combined population of more than 1.1 million people. It is the largest metropolitan area in eastern Colombia and sixth in Colombia behind [[Barranquilla]] and [[Cartagena]].
As of the census of 2005, there were 1,196,755 people and 187,041 households in the city. The population density was 2,000/km², making Cúcuta one of the more densely-populated cities in the east of the country.
<div align=center>
<!-- gráficas de demografía -->
{| class="toc" cellpadding=0 cellspacing=2 width=600px style="float:center; margin: 0.5em 0.5em 0.5em 1em; padding: 0.5e text-align:left;clear:all; margin-left:3px; font-size:90%"
|colspan=4 style="background:#black; color:white; font-size:120%" align=center bgcolor="black"|'''Population of Cúcuta'''
|-
|align=center valign=center bgcolor="white" | [[Image:Población de Cúcuta.JPG|200px]]
|align=center valign=center bgcolor="white" | [[Image:Colombia-Andes-es.JPG|200px]]
|-
| style="background:#e9e9e9;" align=center | Population of Cúcuta 1964–2006
| style="background:#e9e9e9;" align=center | Población of main cities of the Andes
|-
|}
</div>
=== People ===
[[Image:General Santander.jpg|thumb|right|150px|[[Francisco de Paula Santander]]]]
Many notable Colombians are from Cúcuta:
* [[Francisco de Paula Santander]], the first [[President of Colombia]], known as "the man of the laws".
* [[Virgilio Barco]], a former president of Colombia.
* [[Fabiola Zuluaga]], the most successful Colombian tennis player<ref name=AZAPEDIA>[http://www.azapedia.com/articulo-id-517-Fabiola+Zuluaga+Amado(Tenista).html Azapedia: Fabiola Zuluaga] {{es icon}} asapedia.com Accessed 15 October 2006</ref>
* Actors such as [[Lincoln Palomeque]], [[Endry Carreño]], [[Rafael García Herreros]] (the founder of [[Minuto de Dios]])
* [[Elias M. Soto]], a classic musician.
* Marino Vargas Villalta, civic leader and businessman. During the fifities and sixties, he was also the president of the popular and successful local soccer team, the [[Cúcuta Deportivo]].
* [[Alberto Villamizar]], a former congressman and ambassador to [[Indonesia]], [[The Netherlands]] and [[Cuba]], Colombia's first kidnappings czar and leading political figure of the [[Nuevo liberalismo]] (New Liberalism) movement of [[Luis Carlos Galan]].
== Government ==
{{main|Government of Cúcuta}}
[[Image:Cúcuta - Av. Libertadores II.jpg|thumb|Av. Libertadores – Cúcuta]]
As of 2006, the mayor of Cúcuta is [[Ramiro Suárez Corzo]], who has occupied the position since January 2004 (elected by a majority of 62.06%). He represents the movement [[Colombia Viva]].
Cúcuta is the capital of [[Norte de Santander Department]], and houses the Department Hall and the [[City hall|City Hall]] of the [[Metropolitan Area of Cúcuta]] along with the Francisco de Paula Santander Justice Palace. The Principal Mayor and Urban Council, both elected by popular vote, are responsible for city administration.
The city divided into 10 localities (''comunas''). The [[Metropolitan Area of Cúcuta]] is formed by Cúcuta (as the main city), [[Villa del Rosario]], [[Los Patios]], [[San Cayetano, Colombia|San Cayetano]], [[El Zulia]] and [[Puerto Santander]].
Politics in Cúcuta are not defined by a single [[political movement]]. Past rivals included the [[Partido Liberal Colombiano]] and the [[Colombian Conservative Party]]. Today the political landscape is shared by many political parties, none commanding majority support.
==Economy==
[[Image:VP Shopping Mall.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Ventura Plaza Shopping Mall.]]
The economy of Cúcuta is the sixth largest of the country ,preceded by cities like:[[Cartagena]] ,[[Barranquilla]], [[Calí]],[[Medellín]],and [[Bogotá]].The Cúcuta's economy is based primarily in the industry and agriculture.the "zone franca"is the more active of Colombia,To the being venezuela the second commercial partner of Colombia.The industry of the city is baced in the Mining industry,The production of milk,and The industry of the cement and materials of consrtruccion.
===US–Colombia Free Trade Agreement implications for Cúcuta===
Colombia signed a [[Free trade area|Free Trade Agreement]] with the United States amidst opposition by Venezuela. Despite this opposition, industries from Venezuela are constructing their infrastructure in Cúcuta to export their products to the United States, registering their products as if they were Colombian, a strategy that would allow them to export without paying certain tariffs. For that reason, Cúcuta is expected to become an industrial city.<ref>{{cite web
| url=http://www.comiteempresarial.org/cgi-bin/cee/index.cgi?l=1&opcion_par=29&id=1393
| author=COLFTA
| title=Cúcuta quiere sacarle jugo al TLC
| accessdate=2006-10-15
}} {{es icon}}</ref>
Colombian law provides tax exemptions for Venezuelan imports through the ''Zona Franca'', which, coupled with the motorway links between Cúcuta and [[Maracaibo]], increases the possibility of exports from Maracaibo into Colombia.<ref>{{cite web
| url=http://www.andi.com.co/camaras/zonasfrancas/default.htm ANDI
| author=ANDI
| title=Zona Franca
| accessdate=2006-10-15
}} {{es icon}}</ref>
==Telecommunications==
The city's telecommunications services include [[payphone]]s, [[WiMAX]] wireless networks,<ref>{{cite news
| last =Peña
| first =Javier
| title = Masificarán Internet Inalámbrico en Cúcuta
| language =Spanish
| publisher = CucutaNuestra.com
| date = [[2006-10-27]]
| url =http://www.cucutanuestra.com/?module=news&file=news&news=3133
| accessdate = 2007-02-19 }}</ref> and [[mobile phone]] networks ([[GSM]], [[CDMA]] and [[TDMA]]).
[[Telecom Colombia]] offers the service of local, national and international telephony and [[broadband]] [[ADSL]] Internet. There are three mobile telephony operators: [[Comcel]], [[Movistar]] and [[Tigo]].
== Transport ==
<!-- Commented out because image was deleted: [[Image:Mapa cucuta.PNG|thumb|Map of Cúcuta]] -->
Public transportation in the [[Metropolitan Area of Cúcuta]] includes the Metrobus system.
For travel outside the city, there is a [[bus station]] called "Terminal de Transportes" (to be replaced by a new one), the [[Camilo Daza International Airport]] (Colombia) and the San Antonio Airport (Venezuela). Eighty years ago the city had the "Railroad of Cúcuta", which connected with Venezuela.
The highway to [[Bucaramanga]] (renovated in January 2007)<ref>{{cite news
| last =Peña
| first =Javier
| title =Avanza Plan 2500
| language =Spanish
| publisher =CucutaNuestra.com
| date =[[2006-10-31]]
| url =http://www.cucutanuestra.com/?module=news&file=news&news=3156
| accessdate =2007-02-19 }}</ref> connects Cúcuta with [[Bogotá]], [[Medellín (Colombia)|Medellín]] and [[Santiago de Cali|Cali]]. The highway to [[Ocaña, Colombia|Ocaña]] connects the city with [[Barranquilla]], [[Cartagena de Indias|Cartagena]] and [[Santa Marta]]; the highway to [[San Cristóbal, Táchira|San Cristóbal]] with [[Caracas]].
=== Distances to other cities ===
<table width="100%">
<tr>
<td valign=top>
'''Cities of Colombia'''
* [[Pamplona, Norte de Santander|Pamplona]] – {{convert|68|km|mi|0}}
* [[Ocaña, Norte de Santander|Ocaña]] – {{convert|132|km|mi|0}}
* [[Bucaramanga]] – {{convert|148|km|mi|0}}
* [[Barrancabermeja]] – {{convert|254|km|mi|0}}
* [[Tunja]] – {{convert|329|km|mi|0}}
* [[Bogotá]] – {{convert|568|km|mi|0}}
* [[Manizales]] – {{convert|700|km|mi|0}}
* [[Armenia]] – {{convert|716|km|mi|0}}
* [[Pereira]] – {{convert|742|km|mi|0}}
* [[Medellín (Colombia)|Medellín]] – {{convert|591|km|mi|0}}
* [[Montería]] – {{convert|589|km|mi|0}}
* [[Cartagena de Indias|Cartagena]] – {{convert|589|km|mi|0}}
* [[Barranquilla]] – {{convert|579|km|mi|0}}
* [[Santiago de Cali|Cali]] – {{convert|900|km|mi|0}}
</td>
<td valign=top>
'''Cities of Venezuela'''
* [[San Cristóbal, Táchira|San Cristóbal]] – {{convert|57|km|mi|0}}
* [[Mérida (Venezuela)|Mérida]] – {{convert|238|km|mi|0}}
* [[Maracaibo]] – {{convert|474|km|mi|0}}
* [[Barinas]] – {{convert|349|km|mi|0}}
* [[Acarigua]] – {{convert|517|km|mi|0}}
* [[Valencia, Carabobo|Valencia]] – {{convert|683|km|mi|0}}
* [[Caracas]] – {{convert|821|km|mi|0}}
</td>
</tr>
</table>
=== Bridges ===
[[Image:Puente La Gazapa - Cúcuta.JPG|thumb|La Gazapa Bridge]]
The city has many bridges:
* [[Richmond-San Rafael Bridge|San Rafael Bridge]] – official name is "Benito Hernández Bustos".
* Francisco de Paula Andrade Troconis Bridge – the prolongation of the Av. 0, connecting the city with the municipality of [[Los Patios]].
* [[Elías M. Soto]] Bridge – rebuilt and extended to 6 rails.
* [[San Luis|San Luís]] Bridge – imported from England.
* [[Rafael García]] Herreros Bridge – part of the East Anilo Vial.
Six [[overpass]]es are under construction.
== Education ==
The [[basic education]] and the high school education are in Colombian "Calendary A" for schools (from February to November).
=== Schools ===
* Colegio Calasanz
* Colegio Sagrado Corazón de Jesús
* Colegio Instituto Técnico Nacional de Comercio
* Colegio Salesiano
* Colegio La Salle
* Colegio Santo Angel de la Guarda
* Colegio Santa Teresa
* Colegio Los Almendros
* Colegio Carmen Teresiano
* Colegio Cardenal Sancha
=== Universities ===
* Universidad Libre de Colombia
* Universidad de Pamplona
* Universidad Simón Bolivar
* Universidad Remilgton
* Universidad [[Antonio Nariño]]
* [[Universidad Francisco de Paula Santander]]
* Universidad de santander [udes]
== Recent development ==
[[Image:Andes Cúcuta Renovación Urbana.JPG|thumb|right|170px|The new downtown of Cúcuta]]
The city has recently undergone development at an historically unprecedented rate. This has included construction of six [[overpass]]es, a [[convention center]], a new [[bus terminal]], a new Integrated Massive [[Transport network|Transportation System]] called [[Metrobus]], modernization of state owned schools, renewal of [[downtown]], and doubling the capacity of the [[General Santander Stadium]].
New industries are expected to come from [[Venezuela]], which will place their factories in Cúcuta to export through the [[Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement]] between [[Colombia]] and the [[United States]].<ref name=COLFTA>{{cite web
| url=http://www.comiteempresarial.org/cgi-bin/cee/index.cgi?l=1&opcion_par=29&id=1393
| title=Comite Empresarial: TLC
| accessdate=2006-10-15
}} {{es icon}}</ref>
==Landscape==
===Monuments===
The main monuments in the city are:
* The monument of the [[Battle of Cúcuta]]
* The monument of [[Juana Rangel de Cuellar]], the founder of Cúcuta
* The monument of [[Camilo Daza]], located in the [[Camilo Daza International Airport]].
[[Image:Catedral 2.JPG|right|thumb|Cathedral of Cúcuta]]
===Parks===
The main parks in the city are:
* [[Santander Park]] (in Spanish, ''Parque Santander''), the main park of the city located in front of the city hall.
* Colón Park (in Spanish, ''Parkque Colón''), constructed in honor of Cristobal Columbus (in Spanish, ''Cristobal Colón'').
* Simón Bolivar Park (in Spanish, ''Parque Simón Bolivar''), constructed in honor of Simón Bolivar and donated by the Consulate of Venezuela in Cúcuta.
===Greenery===
[[Image:Cúcuta - Panorámica II.jpg|Photo of Cúcuta|thumb]]
From its founding, residents have valued Cúcuta's trees.
Cúcuta has more green zones than many other cities in Colombia. Some consider it an ''urban lung'', due to its many trees and lack of pollution. The greenery is thanks to gifts by prominent Cucuteños, and the legion of foreigners who reconstructed the city after the 1875 earthquake, led by engineer Francisco de Paula Andrade Troconis. The first planted trees were clemones. Soon they were replaced by [[acacia]]s, peracos and [[almond]] trees that adorned the parks and roadsides. An example of this city design is the Avenue of the Lights (based on oití, [[ficus]] and cují), that forms a natural tunnel admired in the rest of the country and by tourists.
[[Arecaceae|Palm trees]] are common in places such as Santander Park, [[Great Colombian Park]], the [[Bank of the Republic]] and the Department Hall of [[Norte de Santander]]. The official flower of Cúcuta is the [http://eur.i1.yimg.com/eur.yimg.com/i/uk/tr/tg/lp/0e/300_0ea35b80e577e540aab29486b4dce6cb.jpg Isora].
[[Image:Parque Grancolombiano - Cúcuta.jpg|thumb|[[Park of the Greater Colombia]]]]
==References==
{{reflist}}
== External links ==
{{commons|Cúcuta}}
{{wikisource|Cúcuta}}
{{Wiktionary|Cúcuta}}
'''Government'''
* [http://www.alcaldiadecucuta.gov.co/ {{es icon}} City Hall of Cúcuta]
* [http://www.nortedesantander.gov.co/ {{es icon}} Gobernación de Norte de Santander]
* [http://www.www.sednortedesantander.gov.co {{es icon}} Education Secretary of North Santander]
'''Health'''
* [http://www.herasmomeoz.gov.co/ {{es icon}}Hospital Erasmo Meoz]
* [http://www.esefranciscodepaulasantander.gov.co/ {{es icon}} E.S.E. Francisco de Paula Santander]
'''Mass media'''
* [http://www.laopinion.com.co {{es icon}} Newspaper La Opinion]
* [http://www.asiescucuta.com {{es icon}} Asi Es Cucuta - Noticias de Cucuta]
* [http://www.cucutanuestra.com {{es icon}} Cúcuta Nuestra]
* [http://www.encucuta.com {{es icon}} EnCúcuta]
* [http://www.cucutalinda.com {{es icon}} Cúcuta Linda]
'''Universities'''
* [http://www.ufps.edu.co/ {{es icon}} Universidad Francisco de Paula Santander]
* [http://cucuta.udes.com/ {{es icon}} Universidad de Santander]
* [http://www.unisimoncucuta.edu.co/ {{es icon}} Universidad Simón Bolívar]
* [http://www.unipamplona.edu.co/ {{es icon}} Universidad de Pamplona]
* [http://www.uanarino.edu.co/ {{es icon}} Universidad Antonio Nariño]
{{Municipalities nortedesantander department}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Cucuta}}
[[Category:Cities, towns and villages in Colombia]]
[[Category:Municipalities of Norte de Santander]]
[[Category:Cúcuta| ]]
[[Category:Colombia-Venezuela border crossings]]
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