FLORIDA
Department
Valle del Cauca, Colombia
Flag of the city
The color of the flag include green, white, and yellow, horizontally arranged below each other
Seal of the city
Slogan of the city
The slogan of the city is “always ahead”. This is written as “Siempre Adelante” on its seal
History
Florida is a town and municipality situated in the Department of Valle del Cauca, Colombia. The region is characterized by local rivers, including the Fraile, Parraga, and Desbaratado. One notable natural attraction is “La Hoya,” a pool of water formed by a section of the Fraile River, which serves as a draw for tourists. The area has a diverse population that includes indigenous peoples, mestizos, afro-Latinos, and mulattos. The cultural richness of Florida is a reflection of its historical heritage, with evidence of indigenous settlements dating back to pre-Columbian times. The economic landscape of Florida encompasses various sectors, including agriculture, commerce, and industry. Agriculture is a significant contributor to the local economy, with crops like sugarcane, bananas, and plantains being cultivated. One of the central thoroughfares in Florida is “Calle Novena” or “Ninth Street,” which plays a vital role in the local infrastructure. “La Hoya,” the pool of water formed by the Fraile River, stands out as a tourist attraction, attracting visitors to the municipality. In 2008, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) made a request concerning Florida. Together with Pradera, they proposed these municipalities as free areas for negotiations. This proposal aimed to exchange 44 hostages held by FARC for guerrilla fighters imprisoned by the Colombian government.
Geography of the city
Florida is located at approximately 3°19′39″N latitude and 76°14′19″W longitude. The municipality and town of Florida cover a total area of 401.6 square kilometers (155.1 square miles). The urban area specifically spans 3.25 square kilometers (1.25 square miles). As of the 2018 census, Florida had a total population of 53,774 people. The overall population density for the municipality was 130 individuals per square kilometer (350 per square mile). In the urban area, there were 40,195 residents, resulting in an urban density of 12,000 people per square kilometer (32,000 per square mile).
Population
Municipality and town – 53,774 (2018 census)
Urban – 40,195 (2018 census)
One photo representative of the city
Etymology
The name “Florida” for the municipality and town in Colombia is of Spanish origin. In Spanish, “Florida” translates to “flowery” or “full of flowers.” This term is commonly used in geographic names to denote a place with abundant or beautiful vegetation, possibly referring to the natural surroundings or floral landscapes of the area. The etymology suggests a connection to the natural beauty of the region.
What the city is known or famous for
Florida, Colombia, is known for its diverse population, including indigenous peoples, mestizos, afro-Latinos, and mulattos. The town is characterized by its local rivers, such as the Fraile, Parraga, and Desbaratado. One notable attraction is “La Hoya,” a pool of water formed by a section of the Fraile River, which attracts tourists. In 2008, Florida gained attention when the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) requested the municipality, along with Pradera, as free areas for negotiations to exchange hostages held by the FARC for guerrilla fighters imprisoned by the Colombian government.