Visiting
Colombia, Cali and CIAT
Colombia
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A Large Country
Colombia
is the size of Texas and California combined.
Its 42 million people make it the third
most populous country in Latin America. |
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Home
to a Diverse Geography and Environment
Colombia is the only country in South America to have
both a Pacific and Caribbean coast. The rugged Andes
Mountains form a geographic spine down the center
of Colombia, dividing the country from north to south.
To the west and east of the Andes are fertile plains
where most of the population (95%) live and work.
The eastern and southern portions of the country are
covered with the dense, tropical forests of the Amazon.
These forests are among the world's most valuable
natural resources. They are home to 10% of the world's
biodiversity (second only to that of neighboring Brazil).
Only 5% of the country's population lives in the Amazon
region, where there is very little economic infrastructure.
A total of 58% of the territory is located in the
Amazon region.
A Very Urban Country
More than 70% of Colombians live in just 10 cities.
A Diverse Ethnic Population
Colombia is one of the most ethnically diverse countries
in the Western Hemisphere. The country has 85 different
ethnic groups, creating a true melting pot of European,
indigenous and Afro-Caribbean populations. Indigenous
peoples own 24% of the national territory.
A Source of Energy for America and the World
Colombia has vast mineral and energy resources, which
are being explored and developed for economic benefit.
Colombia has over 37 billion barrels of oil potential
and is currently the largest foreign provider of coal
to the United States. Colombia is the fifth largest
supplier of foreign oil to the United States.
A Stable Democracy
Colombia is Latin America's oldest and most stable
democracy. It has experienced peaceful changes of
Government every four years over the last half century.
Government leaders have been elected by the people
through free, fair and competitive elections. Colombia
has a free, competitive press.
A Strong and Stable Economy
Colombia was Latin America's strongest and most stable
economy during the 20th century. It did not experience
a year of negative growth for over 70 years, between
the 1930s and the late 1990s. Moreover, it has never
experienced hyperinflation and has never defaulted
on its international debts or financial obligations.
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Cali
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Tourist Information:
AverageTemperature: 23°C / 73°F
Altitude: 1000 mts / 3280.83 feet above
sea level
International Airport Alfonso Bonilla Aragón
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Points of Interest:
* La Merced Archeological Museum
* La Merced Colonial and Religious Art Museum
* La Merced Chapel and Convent o Archbishop's
Palace
* Gold Museum
* La Ermita
* Chipichape Shopping Center |
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Cali is known as the world capital of Salsa. It
is a cordial, public spirited and joyful city
filled with friendly people and beautiful women.
It is the ideal place to hold events and meetings
as it has available hotel facilities on a national
and international level.
In the search for legendary El Dorado, Sebastián
de Belalcázar, left Quito following the
strange story told him by a northerner who extolled
the riches of his homeland. There the head chief
was said to bathe himself in gold and then submerge
in the crystal waters of a sacred lagoon while
his subjects threw in gold offerings and jewelry
in honor of the gods.
After the failure of two expeditions, Belalcázar
decided to found permanent settlements to use
as bases. Finally, on July 25, 1536, the day of
the apostle Santiago, Miguel López Muñoz,
was sent by Belalcázar, to mount the flag
and found the city with the name of Santiago de
Cali. |
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The region has the most important
sugar plantations and refineries and
one of the largest industrial zones
in the country making Cali the third
Colombian city in industrial and commercial
importance. The city has comfortable
malls, country clubs, modern hotels
and restaurants, and many parks which
make Cali one of the most enjoyable
cities in the country.
Well-known landmarks to visit are:
the statue of Cristo Rey, the Monument
of the Tres Cruces, the Monument to
Sebastián de Belalcazar and
the Farallones Park.
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Cali
pulls out all stops during its Caña de
Azucar Fair which is held from December 25 to
30, converting the city into the "Salsa Capital
of the world" with a mix of song, dance,
bullfights, parades of horses, culture, typical
foods and other amusements.
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CIAT
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The
International Center for Tropical Agriculture
(CIAT) is a not-for-profit organization that
conducts socially and environmentally progressive
research aimed at reducing hunger and poverty
and preserving natural resources in developing
countries. CIAT is one of the 15 centers that
make up the Consultative Group on International
Agricultural Research (CGIAR).
This international organization works in Africa,
Latin America, the Caribbean and Asia.
CIAT Headquarters
Location: Recta Cali-Palmira, km 17
Mailing address: A.A. 6713
Cali, Colombia
Phone: +57 (2) 4450000 (direct)
+1 (650) 8336625 (via USA)
Fax: +57 (2) 4450073 (direct)
+1 (650) 8336626 (via USA)
E-mail: ciat@cgiar.org
CIAT in Africa
Contact: Robin Buruchara
Mailing address: Kawanda Agricultural Research
Institute
P.O. Box 6247
Kampala, Uganda
Phone: +256 (41) 566089, 567670, 567804, or
566749
Fax: +256 (41) 567635
E-mail: r.buruchara@cgiar.org
/ ciat-uganda@cgiar.org
CIAT in Asia
Contact: Rod Lefroy
Mailing address: P.O. Box 783
Vientiane, Lao PDR
Phone: +856 (21) 770090
Fax: +856 (21) 770091
E-mail: r.lefroy@cgiar.org
CIAT in Central America
Contact: Axel Schmidt
Mailing address: Residencial San Juan de Los
Robles
Del Restaurante La Marsellaise, 2 cuadras al
lago, Casa #303
LM-172
Managua, Nicaragua
Phone: +505 2709965
Fax: +505 2709963
E-mail: a.schmidt@cgiar.org
/ ciatnica@cablenet.com.ni
Staff
The
Center employs a total of nearly 800 staff.
About 120 of these are internationally recruited
researchers from 37 countries working either
at CIAT headquarters in Colombia or outposted
to a dozen other developing countries. (See
the staff list)
Project
Portfolio
CIAT's
research is conducted through projects, which
provide the basis for organizing cooperation
with our partners and bringing together experts
from different scientific disciplines. Brief
profiles of the projects are available upon
request. (See
the list of projects)
Research
Partnerships
CIAT
staff work hard to build ties with others through
collaborative research organized around projects.
Our
partners include other international centers,
national research institutes, universities,
nongovernment organizations, the private sector,
and rural communities. We work with them under
a variety of innovative arrangements, such as
consortia and networks, at the local, regional,
and global levels. Through strategic alliances
with advanced institutes, we bring valuable
scientific expertise to bear on the central
challenges of tropical agriculture.
As
a service to its partners, the Center provides
varied offerings in training and conferences,
specialized services in information and documentation,
and a broad program of communications. (See
the list of partners)
For
more information please visit CIAT's web-site
www.ciat.cgiar.org
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