Tuluá

Tuluá (pronunciation "toolu-wA"), is a city located in the central heart of Cauca Valley, Colombia Valle del Cauca, Colombia. It is the region's fourth largest city after Cali, the department capital, Buenaventura and Palmira. Founded around 1741 in southwestern Colombia by the Tuluá River, it has a population of approximately 200,000 inhabitants.

Geography

The Tuluá River runs through Tuluá's urban area. The town has excellent access to three major cities: Cali, Pereira, and Armenia. Tuluá is located 269 miles from Bogotá, DC., capital of Colombia; 63 miles northeast of Cali; and 108 miles from the important harbor city Buenaventura, Colombia, which is situated on the coast of the Pacific Ocean.

History

The town was established by Juan de Lemos y Aguirre, and is a major industrial and commercial center. It is famous for its attractive women and delicious food. It is well-known throughout Colombia and many parts of South America as a major center of salsa dancing. It's also known as the "Corazón del Valle" (approximating to Valley's Heart/Core) and also as "La Villa de Céspedes" (Town of Céspedes, named after the naturalist Juan María Céspedes). Tuluá is a native name meaning "Tierra Fácil" (Easy Land). Even though its urban area is small, Tuluá is a big place if the rural area is taken into account. Tuluá is famous not only because of the great quantity of motorbikes in it. It is also famous due to its people's sense of humour, tenderness and integrity.

Climate

Located 3° north of the equator, the weather in Tuluá is very tropical, with hot, sunny days punctuated by intense storms. The weather is 28 degrees Celsius and up. The nights are cool, though. It lies between the two westernmost cordilleras of Colombia, about 50 miles east of the Pacific Ocean port city of Buenaventura. A lot of vegetables and fruit are grown here thanks to the diverse climates.

Education

The Universidad del Valle has a branch campus in Tuluá. The main Universidad del Valle campus is based in Cali, the department capital. The Tuluá branch campus is located at the town south entrance. There are also many other important universities which offer mainly technological courses. La Unidad Central del valle, Universidad San Buenaventura, UniRemmington, among others.

Transportation

The closest international airport that services the city is Cali's international airport, which in fact is in Palmira, Alfonso Bonilla Aragón International Airport (CLO) or Palmaseca. Nine airlines provide service for the airport, including American Airlines, AeroRepública, and Avianca, Colombia's largest airline. Tuluá also has a regional airport, "Farfán" (ULQ), which has had a checkered history regarding its operating as an actual airport.

Tourism

If you want to sight-see, go to the "Jardin Botánico" "Juan María Céspedes" (in Mateguadua Village), Barragán, La Moralia, La Marina, or to nearby villages and towns. You can also go and see the Chillicote Lake, with its famous herons, or dive in the natural waters of the "Parque de la Guadua".

Points of Interest

*Farfán regional airport;
*Soccer Stadium "12 de Octubre" (October 12th) with 17,000 capacity;
*Professional Soccer Team (Cortuluá).
*Renowned Hospitals;
*Shopping Malls: "La 14" and "La Herradura", among others;
*Regional Universities;
*Industrial Park.
*Excellent infrastructure with all the national public utilities:
**Centroaguas,
**Cetsa (electricity),
**Gases del Valle,
*Communication Mass Media:
**Television
**Local newspapers ("El Tabloide" is the most important).
*Sufficient hotels and restaurants.

Entertainment

You can find different ways of entertainment. If you're looking for parties, go to "Yambú Discoteque", a place where Salsa music is played and where black and white people demonstrate the tolerance. Or go to the "Zona Rosa" (Pink Zone), where you'll find your music site: cross over, rock, rancheras, vallenatos etc. as well as fast food places and different restaurants. Another choice is Nariño, the "Juanchito" for Tulueños. The best thing you will not regret when you are here is the "Feria de Tuluá" (Tuluá's Festival). This takes place every June, in the second or third week. You can find all kinds of things here. Hard to describe with words! Within the festival, of course, music plays an important role - bands, artists, and singers show their capabilities mainly in singing. A musical presentation is held each night, preferably one that mixes emotions. Lately, more concretely this XXI C. on, Tuluá has seen a new Rock music scene. Many bands have formed and performed in different places and stages. Furthermore, many bars have opened and brought each different tendencies of this well-known sound. Yet, the importance lies in the fact that Rock is still alive.

Gastronomy

Some famous beverages are the "Chicha de maíz", "Masato" and "Champús". Typical foods in the city are "Sancocho", "Morcilla" or "Rellena", "Tamal", etc. This includes some sweet meals: "Desamargado" (orange, lemon, pumpkin, grapefruit, and early figs), "Natilla" (at Christmas time only), "Trasnochado" (maize, cheese, yucca, and arracacha).

ports

Tuluá has a football (soccer) team called Cortuluá which plays in the Colombian second division. It has also had a checkered history. First, it was one of the first teams to reach the first division within few years of existence. Second, it has once won the chance to go to La Copa Toyota Libertadores de América, during which it had an acceptable presentation. However, it went back to the second division and hasn't been able to demonstrate the football strength coming from this area of Colombia.

Famous Persons

*Faustino Hernán Asprilla - Soccer Player
*Gustavo Álvarez Gardeazábal - Writer
*Poncho Rentería - Journalist
*Diego Salazar - Olympic Medalist

External links

*Major's Official Website: [http://www.tulua.gov.co]
*Enterteiment Website (Iosfera): [http://www.iosfera.com]
*Enterteiment Website (Mastulua): [http://www.mastulua.com]
*Tulua's Fair Official Website: [http://www.feriadetulua.com.co]
*Information Website about Tulua's Fair on Iosfera: [http://feria.iosfera.com]
*Information Website about Tulua's (News, Events, Photos) on Iosfera: [http://feria.iosfera.com]
*Information Website about Tulua's (News) on Revista independiente: [http://revistaindependiente.com]
*Information Website about Tulua's Fair on Mastulua: [http://feria.mastulua.com]
*Information Website about Cortuluá: [http://www.clubcortulua.com]