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Bogotá, the capital of Colombia, is a restless city in constant expansion. It is one of the fastest-growing metropolitan areas in Colombia and in South America. Its almost six million inhabitants include a multitude of people from all over the world, making it a true microcosm of the nation. Modern high-rises and skyscrapers contrast with old houses of colonial and republican architecture.
Bogotá offers residents and visitors everything that a modern city can. Cultural activities abound and its enormous selection of restaurants and nightclubs offer all kinds of food and entertainment.
Points of interest in the city include La Candelaria zone, with several museums, cultural scenery and art exhibitions, as well as La Plaza de Bolívar, surrounded by government buildings representing several styles and eras. Among the numerous churches are those of Santa Clara, San Francisco, San Ignacio, the Cathedral situated in La Plaza de Bolívar, La Tercera San Diego and the sanctuary of Montserrat.
Museums include the famous Gold Museum, a testimony to native Indian culture. The Religious Art Museum has an exhibit of La Lechuga, where you can see 1,486 emeralds encrusted in gold. There is also the National Museum, the Museum of Modern Art, the Mint and La Quinta de Bolívar. Numerous art galleries display and sell the works of both Colombian and international contemporary artists. Concerts are held in theater halls such as Teatro Colon, Colsubsidio, or in Luis Angel Arango Library and the Leon de Greiff hall at the Universidad Nacional. Several theater groups are based in Bogotá and present both classical and modem works.
Other attractions include La Zona Rosa for shopping, fun, gourmet food and entertainment, and the Planetario, Botanical Garden and shopping centers, such as Hacienda Santa Barbara, Centro Comercial Andino and Unicentro.
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