Cartagena or Cartagena de
Indias is a city on the northern coast of Colombia in the
Caribbean Coast Region and capital of the Bolívar Department. It
is the fifth-largest city in Colombia and the second largest in
the region, after Barranquilla. The Cartagena urban area is also
the fifth-largest urban area in the country. Economic activities
include maritime and petrochemicals industry, as well as tourism.
The city was founded on June 1, 1533, and named after Cartagena,
Spain. However, settlement in this region around Cartagena Bay by
various indigenous people dates back to 4000 BC. During the
colonial period Cartagena served a key role in administration and
expansion of the Spanish empire. It was a center of political and
economic activity due to the presence of royalty and wealthy
viceroys. In 1984 Cartagena's colonial walled city and fortress
were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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