Bogota is the central city of Colombia, is the country's capital, located at an elevation of about 2,605 m. / 8,660 ft. on a mountain rimmed plateau high in the Cordillera Oriental of the Andes Mountains. This Givesit constant spring like weather. Itlies only 4°36' north of the equator.Bogota is a city of contrasts. From its founding in 1538 until today it has been growing steadily and shaping its identity. Bogotá was a typical colonial city in the beginning, but around the turn of the 20th century, other European tendencies began to replace the dominant Spanish influence. France's influence is evident in many of the palaces built during this period.

In addition to being the capital, Bogota is Colombia's largest economic center. Most companies in Colombia have their headquarters in Bogota, as it is home to most foreign companies doing business in Colombia as well as Colombia's main stock market. The emerald trade is a huge business in Bogota. In downtown Bogota, millions of dollars in domestically produced rough and cut emeralds are bought and sold daily.The European settlement was founded in August 6, 1538, by Gonzgola imenez deQuesada and was named "Santa Fe de Bacata" after his birthplace Santa Fe and the local name. "Bacatá" had become the modern "Bogota" by the time it was made the capital of the New kingdom of Granada, which was then part of the Viceroyaltyof peru, and later of the Viceroyalty of NewGranada, The city soon became one of the centers of Spanish colonial power and civilization in South America.

The city grew slowly because Bogotanos (cachacos) wished to preserve their old culture. They cherished their churches, convents, homes (built in the ornate Spanish colonial style) and the National University, founded in 1573. They also prided themselves on speaking the purest Spanish in the New World. The city expanded rapidly after 1940 as large numbers of rural Colombians migrated there in search of greater economic opportunities. It is sometimes called the Athens of South America. Bogota is now Colombia's largest financial, political, and cultural center. The National University of Colombia and many other universities located there make Bogotá the nation's chief educational center.

It is a mixture of influences, Spanish and English and Indian; a city of great wealth and material well being and abject poverty. It is a city of wild traffic and calm oases reflecting a bygone day. It is a modern city with futuristic architecture, graffiti and congestion; restaurants, bookstores and street vendors peddling emeralds, thieves, beggars, street people and drug dealers wrapped around the inner core of the old city.

Most of the places of interest to visitors are in the central and northern zones. The city expanded from the colonial center, thus most of the great churches are here. To the east of the city, the mountains provide a constant backdrop. The most famous peak is the Cerro de Montserrat at 3030 m. (10,000 ft) and a favorite with Bogotenos who go there for the spectacular view, the park, the bull ring, restaurants and the famous religious site. The church here with the statue of the Señor Caido Fallen Christ, is claimed to be a place of miracles.