Tuluá (), is a city located in the heart of
Valle del Cauca,
Colombia
Colombia, officially the Republic of Colombia, is a country primarily located in South America with Insular region of Colombia, insular regions in North America. The Colombian mainland is bordered by the Caribbean Sea to the north, Venezuel ...
. A major industrial and commercial center, it is the region's fourth-largest city after
Cali
Santiago de Cali (), or Cali, is the capital of the Valle del Cauca department, and the most populous city in southwest Colombia, with 2,280,522 residents estimate by National Administrative Department of Statistics, DANE in 2023. The city span ...
—the department capital—
Palmira and
Buenaventura. Founded around 1741 by Juan de Lemos y Aguirre, it has a population of approximately 178,000. It is also known as the ''Corazón del Valle'' (meaning 'The Heart of Valle'), as ''La Villa de Céspedes'' ('Town of Céspedes', named after the naturalist Juan María Céspedes) and ''Tierra Fácil'' ('Easy Land' in the native language).
It is well known throughout Colombia and many parts of South America as a major center of
salsa dancing.
Geography
The
Tuluá River runs through Tuluá's urban area. The city is located 269 miles from
Bogotá
Bogotá (, also , , ), officially Bogotá, Distrito Capital, abbreviated Bogotá, D.C., and formerly known as Santa Fe de Bogotá (; ) during the Spanish Imperial period and between 1991 and 2000, is the capital city, capital and largest city ...
, the capital of Colombia, 63 miles northeast of Cali and 108 miles from the important harbor city of
Buenaventura, which lies on the coast of the Pacific Ocean. Although it has a relatively small urban area, Tuluá's metropolitan area is comparatively big. The city lies between the two westernmost
cordilleras of Colombia, about 50 miles east of Buenaventura.
Climate
Located just three degrees north of the equator, Tuluá has a
tropical rainforest climate
A tropical rainforest climate or equatorial climate is a tropical climate sub-type usually found within 10 to 15 degrees latitude of the equator. There are some other areas at higher latitudes, such as the coast of southeast Florida, United States ...
(''Af'' in the
Köppen climate classification
The Köppen climate classification divides Earth climates into five main climate groups, with each group being divided based on patterns of seasonal precipitation and temperature. The five main groups are ''A'' (tropical), ''B'' (arid), ''C'' (te ...
). It has hot, sunny days usually in the high 20s and low 30s, punctuated by intense storms. Night temperatures are on average in the high teens. A lot of different vegetables and fruit are grown in Tuluá.
Crime
Tuluá has high crime rates. The surge in murders is allegedly due to rivaling paramilitary gangs Los Urabeños and Los Rastrojos fighting for control of the city's lucrative drug trade. In 2022, over 50 people
were killed by a
prison riot.
Education
The
University of Valle has a branch campus in Tuluá. The main campus is based in Cali, the department's capital. UCEVA (the
Central University of Valle del Cauca) has its main campus in the city.
Transportation
The closest airport is Cali's international airport—which in fact is in
Palmira—
Alfonso Bonilla Aragón International Airport (CLO) or Palmaseca. Sixteen airlines provide service for the airport, including American Airlines,
Avianca (Colombia's largest airline and flag carrier) and
Avianca Cargp. Tuluá also has a regional airport,
Heriberto Gíl Martínez Airport (ULQ).
Places of interest
Botanical garden (Jardin Botánico) called Juan María Céspedes in
Mateguadua village. Chillicote lake is famous for its
heron
Herons are long-legged, long-necked, freshwater and coastal birds in the family Ardeidae, with 75 recognised species, some of which are referred to as egrets or bitterns rather than herons. Members of the genus ''Botaurus'' are referred to as bi ...
s. The soccer stadium ''12 de Octubre'' has a capacity of 17,000. It is used by the local
soccer
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a team sport played between two teams of 11 Football player, players who almost exclusively use their feet to propel a Ball (association football), ball around a rectangular f ...
team
Cortuluá, which plays in the Colombian first division.
Lago Chillicote is named after
Chillicothe, Ohio
Chillicothe ( ) is a city in Ross County, Ohio, United States, and its county seat. The population was 22,059 at the 2020 United States census, 2020 census. Located along the Scioto River 45 miles (72 km) south of Columbus, Ohio, Columbus, ...
a former
sister city
A sister city or a twin town relationship is a form of legal or social agreement between two geographically and politically distinct localities for the purpose of promoting cultural and commercial ties.
While there are early examples of inte ...
of Tuluá
Guadua Park (Parque de la Guadua) Bamboo and heliconias (plants often mistaken for birds-of-paradise), nature trails, a waterfall, and natural pools of warm water are some of the attractions at the Guillermo Ponce de León Paris Guadua Park in Tuluá. This 12.5-acre site is overflowing with greenery; visitors can also enjoy a large playground with their children. Sarmiento Lora Park (Parque Sarmiento Lora) It offers a great kiddie pool (complete with little water slides) and adult pool area, restaurant, shelters and play area. Civic Plaza Boyaca (Plaza Civica Boyaca)
The Tuluá Festival (Feria de Tuluá) takes place every June in the second or third week. Music plays an important role with bands, artists and singers performing. A music performance is held every night.
Notable people
*
Gustavo Álvarez Gardeazábal, writer
*
Carlos Alzate, cyclist
*
Edmundo Arias, musician
*
Faustino Hernán Asprilla, football player
*
Jonathan Cuenú, football player
*
Vicky Hernandez, actress
*
Diego Salazar, Olympic weightlifting medal winner
*
Gabriel Velasco, politician
*
Jhon Arcila, football player
References
External links
*Major's official website
*Estación de radio virtual online e-Radio desde Tuluá Colombia
*Entertainment website (Iosfera)
*Entertainment website (Mastulua)
*Tulua's Fair official website
*Information website about Tulua's Fair on Iosfera
*Information website about Tulua's (News, Events, Photos) on Iosfera
*Information website about Tulua's (News) on Revista independiente
*Information website about Tulua's Fair on Mastulua
*Information website about Cortuluá
{{DEFAULTSORT:Tulua
Municipalities of Valle del Cauca Department
Populated places established in 1741