History

About Barranquilla

The foundation of Barranquilla dates back to 1629, and was only established in the law in 1813. It became an important port that served as a refuge for immigrants from Europe, Asia and the Middle East. At the end of the 19th century and the opening of Puerto Colombia, the port of Barranquilla was to the west 15 km from the city, the city grew a lot becoming a maritime and fluvial port. A symbol of this is the construction of the Ernesto Cortissoz International Airport, in 1919, the first airport in South America.

Nowadays Barranquilla is an important industrial center (of oils, chemical products, pharmaceutical products, petroleum ...) and its port is a center for the trade of cotton and coffee. It is also the home of the festival of the same name: the Carnival of Barranquilla, the best ambassador of the city.