Colombian Gastronomy

In Colombia the gastronomy is diverse. This depend of the regions, the climate the habitants and the culture. This is product of the mix that different ethnic groups: indigenous, Spaniards and Africans.

We have influence from the Spaniards in many preparations. In the moment of incorporated any aliments in the diet of the indigenous, originated the Colombian Andean Cuisine.

It is very interesting the mixture of exquisite flavors that possess the different recipes. Any representative’s recipes and aliments are:

ANDEAN REGION:
This includes a big number of departments and sub regions, this is characterized for the Cordillera of the Colombian Andes.

Arepa

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizbyR7irsk9T5ylP51XRkOJ5EhNvioN9TjGrmNhaD5P3GGrj6qGfIhIdfuQ77DZDDoSv8eC8VOImle0NxG2BaIojzH_SFjH-s-w5W4eljJHn2gZQJNLE6fEW__sTp-SfZv1OC7opcz7g2m/s1600/2+DSC07413.JPG

Egg tortilla


http://lacocinadebender.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/03/tortilla-espanola-patatas-huevos.jpg

Ajiaco:

http://www.elcondimentariodemargarita.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/ajiaco.jpg

Changua:

http://bochica.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/changua1.jpg

Bulgur Wheat Soup:


http://www.mycolombiancocina.co.uk/resources/Cuchuco%20de%20trigo%20-ns0.jpg.opt520x406o0,0s520x406.jpg

Sancocho:



http://caliescribe.com/sites/default/files/imagenes_revista/2011/septiembre/05-11/sancocho/sancocho.jpg

Almojábana:


http://www.elcocineroviajero.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/DSC_02531-330x228.jpg

Chicken rice:



http://www.somoscolombianos.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/receta-arroz-pollo.jpg

PACIFIC COAST:
In this region we could find many flavors and big variety of fish.

Sweet Fritter



https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLtXnrnFE2HwI1bfaWOnoF74tfpltGbIlxLWvIqgufmblms2-9bYtltJjlkBaZntiNCxcfqwWMpHqgi807tmU9qBS-GtT4llEmpAVsClrBaI_C4o4McEKwRC3rH6OE1Doof2a18G3UG_I6/s1600/loukoumades.jpg

Coco rice:

http://quebonitacolombia.com/images/Karla_Arroz_con_Coco_52033.jpg

Fries fish:

http://lomaspro.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Pescado-Frito.jpg


Avocado:

http://tasty-dishes.com/data_images/encyclopedia/avocado/avocado-04.jpg

Shellfish casserole:

http://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/02/2e/aa/f6/fish-and-shellfish-casserole.jpg


PLAIN REGION:

The meat more representative is the cuy, is very delicious!!

Snail soup:

http://s3-media2.ak.yelpcdn.com/bphoto/IaZSa7y1WaBhk-d-NQOy3w/l.jpg

Turtle eggs:

http://www.timetravelturtle.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Japan-2013-214_web.jpg


Carambolo Juice:

http://robpacker.files.wordpress.com/2011/05/img_8528.jpg

Arazá Juice:



ATLANTIC COAST:
It has fertile land and a sea that offers generous with ease food in abundance for their residents. Living on the export of some fruits like coconuts and oranges.


Arepa of egg:

http://www.supercook.org/images/az-Arepa_de_huevo_por_dentro.jpg


Fried eggs:

http://whatscookingamerica.net/Eggs/FriedEgg3.jpg


Pumpkin – rice:

http://www.saveur.com/sites/saveur.com/files/images/2008-10/626-59_pumpkin_rice_300.jpg


Dumplings:

http://castila.files.wordpress.com/2012/07/jiaozi-chinese-dumplings-2-500.jpg


Johnny cakes:

http://whatscookingamerica.net/Bread/JohnnyCakes.jpg

AMAZON REGION

The Amazon region is very rich in gastronomy, culture and territory. In the department of Amazonas, we can find a great variety of exquisite dishes. Fish preparations, bananas, yucca,. In the most representative dishes, we find:


Purtumute:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/5b/Blackbeanstew.jpg

Inchicapi:

http://www.huariquesdelperu.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Inchicapi-de-Gallina.jpg

Casserole:

http://eatathomecooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/italian-chicken-and-rice-casserole-done.jpg


Cuy with potatoes:

http://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/02/bc/02/60/don-antonio.jpg

Juan’s yucca:

TOURIST SITES

BARRANQUILLA

It is a Colombian city located on the west edge of the Magdalena's River , 7.5 km from its mouth at the Caribbean Sea. It is the capital of the department of the Atlantic. It is one of the seaports and major river and assets of Colombia , and the main commercial , industrial, cultural and university in the Colombian Caribbean region; and in the 7.5 km ends in the Caribbean Sea. It is one of the most important seaports and assets of Colombia , and the main commercial , industrial and cultural, in the Colombian Caribbean region .

CARTAGENA

It is the capital of the department of Bolivar, Colombia. It was founded in 1533 by Pedro de Heredia. It is the main tourist destination of Colombia and the fifth largest city in population after Bogotá, Medellín, Cali and Barranquilla. Since 1991 Cartagena is a Tourism and Cultural District. The city is located along the Caribbean Sea and is one of the most important tourist epicenters of Colombia, as well as the second most important urban center in the Colombian Caribbean region, after Barranquilla.

SANTANDER

Santander is one of the 32 departments of Colombia, located in the northeast of the country in the Andean region, its capital is Bucaramanga. It limits the north with the departments of Norte de Santander , Cesar and Bolivar , west to Antioquia, south to Boyacá and north Santander. The official name of Santander Department and is named in honor of the hero of the independence of New Granada, Francisco de Paula Santander.

SAN ANDRES, PROVIDENCE AND SANTA CATALINA

The Archipelago of San Andrés, Providencia and Santa Catalina is a department of Colombia located west of the Caribbean Sea, 775 km northwest of the country's Atlantic coast, and 220 km from the eastern coast of Nicaragua. The departmental capital is San Andrés, but the archipelago has a single municipality, Providence. It is considered one of the most beautiful islands of Colombia with one of the best beaches in America.

FAIRS

The Carnival of Blacks and Whites, declared in 2002  National Cultural Heritage,  held every year in Pasto, city located in southwestern Colombia , the first week of January, attracts a large number of tourists from all corners of the country and abroad. The city of Pasto has been known historically as the meeting point, of different towns and colonies.

For this reason, the Carnival celebrations are an indigenous cultural shows, that expresses a perfect fusion of all the cultural influences, that were over the centuries in this region: indigenous rituals , cultural expressions of Spanish and culture African .

The Manizales Fair, held annually in the Colombian city of Manizales, known for its bullfighting season and the International Coffee Pageant.

This fair has Spanish roots, and is inspired by the April Fair in Sevilla imitating some of their customs, but also with many Colombian customs, especially in the Andina region. Start the first weekend of the year and ends the following.

The Cali Fair is 25 to 30 of December . The most important events, the most traditional, private events and more, are assisted in this program. The Cali Fair has free performances by renowned artists in the world of salsa, fusion music and the 60's. The Cavalcade, El Salsódromo and Cali Viejo's Festival is the most attended at the fair. The concerts in the traditional clubs, are part of private events.

http://www.colombia.com/turismo/ferias-y-fiestas/

Charlie and the chocolate factory Vs Ratatouille

http://vocaroo.com/i/s0JkGWpO6ajq



For one Delicious lunch and dessert

From: Laura contreras ;)

Fauna of Colombia

Colombia has the largest number of endemism’s (species that are not found naturally anywhere else) worldwide. About 10% of the species in the world live in Colombia. Some determinant factors in the distribution range of the species are the weather conditions, temperature, humidity and sunlight availability. * Birds Over 1800 species of birds have been described in Colombia, (more than the number of existent bird species in North America and Europe, combined). The Andean condor inhabits the Andes mountain range. Although it is primarily a scavenger, feeding on carrion, this species belongs to the New World vulture family Cathartidae.

* Mammals There are 456 reported species of mammals in Colombia. [3] Of these, about 22% are endangered or critically endangered. Most of the threatened species status are due to human activities, in particular destruction of plant and animal habitats driven by local consumption of organic resources, especially related to tropical forest destruction.[4]While most of the species that are becoming extinct are not food species, their biomass is converted into human food when their habitat is transformed into pasture and cropland.

* Mollusks There are more than 80 genera of land gastropods in (continental) Colombia.

*Flora of Colombia The Flora of Colombia is characterized by a high biodiversity, with the highest rate of species by area unit worldwide. Over 130.000 species of plants have been described within Colombian territory .The national flower of Colombia is the orchid Cattleya trianae which was named after the Colombian naturalist José Jerónimo Triana. The orchid was selected by botanist Emilio Robledo, in representation of the Colombian Academy of History to determine the most representative flowering plant of Colombia. He described it as one of the most beautiful flowers in the world and selected Cattleya trianae as National symbol

TURISM IN COLOMBIA:

In colombia we can find and visit a lot of places that have diferents caracteristics lush rainforest valleys, modern cities and Spanish colonial villages, hot Caribbean beaches and snowy mountains. today we are going to show you de 5 most beautiful places in colombia: 1. Cartagena: This is a ideal placeto relax and enjoy time with your family , is a colonial town located in the center of the northeastern Caribbean coast of Colombia. Its average temperature is 30 degrees Celsius (90º F), and the beaches keep warm waters all year round. The beaches are within walking distance of the ancient walls of the Historic Center, locally referred to as El Centro (Down Town). Cartagena has had an interesting confluence of cultures for over 500 years that include the pre-Columbian native aborigines, the Spanish, the Africans and the Arabs.

2. Medellin and Bogota: Bogota is a high-fashion business and education center with ample history, sites to visit, and a nightlife to rival any city in South America. Check out Candelaria in the city center for museums as well as Andres Carne de Res in nearby Chia for a night you will never forget. Alse servers as a jumping off point to visit the historic Boyaca department to the north. Medellin is the city of eternal spring, full of proudpaisas and blooming flowers. Smaller and more asthetically pleasing than Bogota, it can be reached by a short, short plane from the capital or by bus.

3. Parque tayrona: This is other beautifulplace is a protected area in the Colombian northern Caribbean region and within the jurisdiction of the Department of Magdalena and 34 kilometres (21 mi) from the city of Santa Marta. This park presents a biodiversity endemic to the area of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountain range presenting a variety of climates (mountain climate) and geography that ranges from arid sea level to 900 meters above sea level. The park covers approximately 30 square kilometres (12 sq mi) of maritime area in the Caribbean sea and approximately 150 square kilometres (58 sq mi) of land. It was the second most visited national park in Colombia in 2009, with 211,833 visitors. The most visited park was the Rosario and San Bernardo Corals National Natural Park.

4. Mompos: is a town and municipality in northern Colombia, in the Bolívar Department, which has preserved its colonial character. Located on an island in the Magdalena River where it joins the Cauca River, 249 kilometers from Cartagena. The town that time forgot, stuck in a giant swamp in the northeastern part of the country. Famous for hospitality and rocking chairs, this is supposedly the town that Gabriel Garcia Marquez based Macondo off of in One Hundred Years of Solitude. Getting there is an adventure of its own…don’t miss this place! You will be happily surprised.

5. The Amazon: With the largest tropical rainforest and the most copious river in the world, the Amazonas Jungle we share with our neighbors is another of Colombia’s treasures. It is a prodigious place, not only for the aboriginal people that inhabit it and the sheer size of the river, but also for the life it spawns and nurtures on land and water. Definitely not for everyone, the southern town of Leticia offers endless rainforest adventure. Forget what you saw in Costa Rica; the Amazon is another world. Truly awe-inspiring.