Santa Marta
Santa Marta, Colombia's first Spanish settlement, is the capital city of the Colombian department of Magdalena on the Caribbean Sea. It was founded in 1525 by the Spanish conqueror Rodrigo de Bastidas, which makes it the oldest remaining city in Colombia. Located northeast of Cartagena, between the Santa Marta Mountains and the Caribbean Sea, the city is a popular destination due to its history, colonial architecture, beaches and nearby nature reserves. The mountain range is second in height only to the Andes running through the country. Among the city's attractions include the grand hacienda where Simón Bolívar died in 1830. The recently renovated downtown of Santa Marta with its blend of colonial and Republican architecture is a highlight. The city has a new, distinctive international marina and broadwalk. Las Fiestas del Mar (The Festival of the Sea) is an annual celebration. The festival's slogan is Santa Marta, la magia de tenerlo todo ("Santa Marta, the magic of having it all"). Tayrona National Natural Park, north of Santa Marta, iis the most important ecological reserve in Colombia.
