Near the Cauca river in southwestern Colombia is the lovely city of Santiago de Cali. Situated in the valley between the river and the Colombia's Western Mountain Range, Cali is the capital of the Valle del Cauca Department and the third largest city in Colombia. While it's true that the city enjoyed a brief stint of infamy as the seat of the Cali Cartel, Colombia as a whole has become a much more stable place than it was during the 80s and 90s.
With over two million inhabitants Cali, Colombia is a vibrant city known for the beauty of its women and its residents' love of salsa music and dance. Cali is also known for its relaxed atmosphere even though it is one of Colombia's most important economic centers. The surrounding province is rich in agricultural resources and produces much of the nation's sugar, coffee and other crops. Cali is also located very close to Beunaventura, a port city on the western coast. Thanks to a productive province and a close proximity to Colombia's primary Pacific port, Cali enjoys one of the fastest growing economies in the country.
The history of the city itself begins in the 1500s with a conquistador named Sebastian de Belalcazar. He came to America in 1498 with Columbus's third voyage and eventually found himself in the service of Francisco Pizzaro. Unlike the lands Belalcazar had previously adventured in, this part of Colombia was outside of the Inca Empire and so was unclaimed by Pizzaro. Belalcazar claimed the region for himself and founded Santiago de Cali on July 25, 1536.
Cali remained small city for much of the time since then, rural and provincial. It wasn't until the late 19th century that the city's main merchant plaza was built and it began to transform into a modern metropolis. International trade has certainly helped it along and today, the large industrial district of Cali's northern suburbs is home to many major corporations.
Cali is a popular tourist destination for a number of reasons. It has a wonderfully preserved historic district centered around the Plaza de Caycedo, with cathedrals, theaters and the churches of St. Francis and La Merced located nearby. San Antonio is also one of Cali's most traditional historic districts. Cali is also known as a hotspot for medical tourism. Its surgeons cater to moneyed folks who come seeking low-priced plastic surgery and are famous throughout Colombia. Visitors to Cali most often reach the city via Colombia's second largest airport, the Alfonso Bonilla Aragon International Airport in the nearby city of Palmira.
Visitors more in touch with the natural world like to visit the Farallones de Cali national park in the Andean foothills to the city's west. It is a great place for adventuresome travelers to climb and is just as much appreciated for its diverse flora and fauna. Cali has a climate that is often quite warm for much of the year and this high alpine getaway can provide a welcome relief from the city's tropical heat.
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