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Visiting Colombia, Cali and CIAT

Colombia

Cali

CIAT

Colombia

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.

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.

Cali

Tourist Information:
AverageTemperature: 23°C / 73°F
Altitude: 1000 mts / 3280.83 feet above sea level
International Airport Alfonso Bonilla Aragón

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

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.

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.

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.

CIAT

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
Contact: Ruben Echeverria
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: r.echeverria@cgiar.org / 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 Latin America
Contact: Elcio Guimaraes
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: e.guimaraes@cgiar.org / ciat@cgiar.org

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.

For more information please visit CIAT's web-site www.ciat.cgiar.org

(The images on this page have been taken from different websites, The PRGA Program is not responsible of the use of this page)

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