Cartagena (CO)
The city of Cartagena (971,592 inhabitants in 2016), the capital of the Bolívar Department, is a major port, located on the northern coast of Colombia in the Caribbean Coast Region. It was strategically located between the Magdalena and Sinú rivers and became the main port for trade between Spain and its overseas empire. During the colonial era -known as Cartagena de Indias -, it was a key port for the export of Peruvian silver to Spain and for the import of enslaved Africans under the asiento system. Economic activities include the maritime and petrochemicals industries, as well as tourism.
The city was founded in 1533, and named after Cartagena, Spain, which in turn was named after Carthage in Tunisia. Settlement in the region around Cartagena Bay by various indigenous people dates back to 4000 BC. During the Spanish colonial period Cartagena served a key role in administration and expansion of the Spanish empire. It was a center of political, ecclesiastical, and economic activity. In 1984, Cartagena's colonial walled city and fortress were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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