Bogotá

Bogotá (pop. 5,026,000), capital and largest city of Colombia. Founded by the Spanish in 1538 on the site of Chibcha settlement, it is a commercial and cultural center, with several universities (the oldest from 1573). Its climate is mild because of its altitude of over 8,500 ft (2,591 m), at the edge of an Andean plateau.

See also: Colombia.