Department of the Atlantic
Atlántico is one of the departments of the Caribe region of Colombia and has an important seaport in its capital Barranquilla.
The Atlántico, owes its name to the sea that bathes it and is located in the Caribe region, bordered to the north by the Atlantic Ocean, to the east by the Magdalena River and to the south by the department of Bolívar and to the west by the Caribbean Sea and the department of Bolivar. Its astronomical position is between 10° 16′ and 11°06′ north latitude and 74° 42′ and 75°15′ west longitude.
It is one of the most populated departments in the country, despite having an area of 3,019 km², which makes it the third least extensive in Colombia.
Its capital, Barranquilla, is one of the most important ports in Colombia and South America.
IMPORTANT DATA
CAPITAL
BARRANQUILLA
INHABITANTS
2’546.138
GENTILICIO
ATLANTICENSE
AREA
3,386 km²
GOVERNOR
Eduardo Ignacio Verano de la Rosa
OFFICIAL WEBSITE
Map of the Department of Atlántico
Next, the municipalities of Atlántico located on the map:
Map by: Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA
SUBREGIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ATLÁNTICO
The department is divided into 4 subregions or provinces of the region, which are listed below:
- Banda Oriental
- Área Metropolitana
- Sur
- Occidente
MUNICIPALITIES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ATLÁNTICO
The department of Atlántico is divided into 23 municipalities, which are grouped into the 4 subregions or provinces listed above.
Banda Oriental
- Baranoa
- Palmar de Varela
- Polonuevo
- Ponedera
- Sabanagrande
- Sabanalarga
- Santo Tomás
Área Metropolitana
- Barranquilla
- Galapa
- Malambo
- Soledad
- Puerto Colombia
Sur
- Campo de la Cruz
- Candelaria
- Luruaco
- Manatí
- Repelón
- Santa Lucía
- Suán
Occidente
- Juan de Acosta
- Piojó
- Tubará
- Usiacurí
HISTORY
The department of Atlántico during the pre-Hispanic period was inhabited by indigenous people belonging to the Caribe and Arawac families. The main expeditionary was the conquistador Rodrigo de Bastidas, who arrived in the area at the end of the 15th century. Other expeditionaries in the area were Jerónimo de Melo in 1531, Pedro de Heredia in 1533.
The first population founded in the department was San Juan de Acosta in 1607. The department was created on April 11, 1905, and ratified on July 14, 1910.
RELIEF
This area of the country is mostly flat, with 72 kilometers of coastline on the Caribbean Sea, cut off from time to time by elevations of no more than 500 meters above sea level, such as Cerro Alto.
HYDROGRAPHY
The department of Atlántico is bathed by the Magdalena and El Canal del Dique rivers, the most important in the country.
Other hydrological features of the department are the swamps and numerous streams.
CLIMATE
It is a department with climatic characteristics typical of a tropical savanna, with high temperatures and high humidity.
ECONOMY
Because the soil of the department of Atlántico is very rich in organic matter, it is fertile, which is why it favors the cultivation of food products such as cassava, cotton, rice, sesame, beans, tomatoes, fruits, and bananas, as well as pastures suitable for livestock.
However, industry and commerce are the basis of the department's economy. It is also important to note that fishing is another valuable economic source in the department of Atlántico, as well as the exploitation of coal, gypsum, and limestone. It is believed that there are large oil deposits in the subsoil of the department.
Tourism is another important economic source for the department, given its proximity to the sea and the spectacular sites it has.
PARTIES
The department of Atlántico is recognized nationally and internationally for its famous Carnaval de Barranquilla, which takes place every year in February, a party that shows the permanent and overflowing joy of its people.
NATURAL RESERVES
The department of Atlántico has several natural reserves, including:
- The Parque Nacional Natural Tayrona
- The Parque Isla Salamanca
- Parque Nacional Natural El Tuparro
- The Jardín Botánico de Barranquilla
ANTHEM
LYRICS:
María Delina Álvarez
MUSIC: Anita Zabarain Bermúdez
CHORUS
Like an immense lyre, played by the wind
the voices of Atlántico are singing glory
and the beautiful coastline, border of the Fatherland
is the cradle of free men who love freedom.
I
Atlántico has a very high goal
under the noble aegis of peace
and in the national sphere it stands out
its desire to grow and progress
II
We were born for happiness and fortune
under this beautiful, splendid blue sky
and God put in our veins, like a wine
the hope of conquering the future.
III
We are going to conquer the future
with generous effort and decision
with our heads held high and our hope firm
our hearts full of enthusiasm
IV
Atlántico is a sacred land
where God poured out his goodness
its atmosphere is one of healthy joy
its people are simple and cordial.
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