Bogotá

Bogotá, official name Santa Fé de Bogotá is the capital of the United State of Colombia. It is situated in the eastern Andes on a remarkable, almost mountain-encircled, plateau, on the river Bogotá, 65 miles southeast of its port, Honda, the highest navigable point of the Magdalena. The city is situated at about 8560 ft. (2610 m) above sea-level, and has a spring-like climate.

The city was founded by the Spanish in 1538 on the pre-Columbian centre of the Chibcha culture. It is regularly built, with innumerable churches, a mint, university, library, and observatory, and several schools. Though the country is fertile and the mountains rich in coal, iron, salt, and precious metals.