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Barranquilla, Atlantico




Central America is the central geographic region of the Americas. It is variably defined either as being a region of the Americas in its own right or as the southern portion of North America. Physiographically, Central America is a tropical isthmus that connects North and South America. It includes 7 countries and many small offshore islands. Overall, the land is fertile and rugged, and dominated through its heart by a string of volcanic mountain ranges with a few active volcanos. 

Barranquilla is a city and municipality located in northern Colombia. Capital of the Atlantico Department, it is the largest industrial city and port on the Colombian Caribbean region and the fourth largest city of Colombia. It lies strategically by the delta of the Magdalena River, serving as port for fluvial and maritime transportation. It is also known as the cradle of Colombian aviation and as home to a very picturesque carnival. In addition, Barranquilla is well known for being the hometown of Colombian singer songwriter Shakira.
 
It is known as Colombia's Golden Gate. While the city bears no established record of its foundation, its settlement or foundation can be traced back to at least 1629. The population of the city was 1,386,895 in the year 2005. Barranquilla was Colombia's first port and is proud of its level of industrialization and modernity, which earned it the name of Colombia's Golden Gate. The first airport in South America was also built in Barranquilla, and the world's second oldest commercial airline doing business today was founded there, SCADTA.
 
Barranquilla is home to a number of universities, like the Universidad del Norte, Universidad del Atlantico, the Universidad Metropolitana, the Universidad Autonoma del Caribe, the Universidad Simon Bolivar, and the Corporacion Universitaria de la Costa. Barranquilla is home to a thriving free zone, as well as to a number of staples of the Colombian economy, such as Bavaria S.A., Comisariato Vivero, Monomeros,Expreso Brasilia S.A. and Cementos Argos. The city is the birthplace of the G rupo Santo Domingo, one of the major business conglomerates in Colombia.

Public transportation in Barranquilla mainly consists of buses and taxis. The main bus terminal is located near the southern edge of town, at the end of Murillo Street. The city's two main newspapers are El Heraldo and La Libertad. Barranquilla enjoys a very positive reputation with worldwide travelers.

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