WHAT ARE THE DISTRICTS OF COLOMBIA? - GEOGRAPHY - 2025

The main districts of Colombia are Bogotá, Barranquilla, Cartagena de Indias, Santa Marta or Buenaventura, among others. In Colombia, departments are the main territorial organizations, followed by municipalities and districts.

The districts are municipalities with more important qualities than the rest of the territorial organizations of the same order, properties that distinguish them and place them as special territories, that is, district municipalities.

These qualities may be related to economic aspects, such as industrial development (commercial diversity, sources of tourism), cultural aspects (location of historical sites, universities, environmental resources) or administrative aspects, as well as port and border activities, among others.

In the law identified with No. 1617 of 2013, it is stated that the districts are municipalities with special ordinances, through which broader powers are attributed, both to their authorities and to their agencies.

Similarly, Rico J. and Rosero S. (2014,) clarify that “the districts participate in the allocation of the budget like a department, in the same way they can join with neighboring municipalities and establish metropolitan areas. They also affirm that there are 3 types of districts in Colombia: Capital, Special and Metropolitan ”(p.39).

List of districts of Colombia

Bogotá, Capital District

It was the first district of Colombia, named in 1861. First it was called the Federal District of Bogotá, then the Special District of Bogotá in 1954, then Santafé de Bogotá, Capital District in 1991 and finally in the year 2000, the one that Bogotá currently maintains, Capital district.

It is the largest and most important Colombian city, it is the capital where, according to 2013 data, around 9 million people live.

It is the great economic, commercial, industrial and cultural center of the country and where the main headquarters of most of the public powers of the country are located.

Barranquilla, Special, Industrial and Port District

It is part of the Department of Atlántico, of which it is its capital. This district is also known as “the golden gate of Colombia”.

It has a diversity of special characteristics since it is a potential industrial, port, tourist, cultural and educational center.

One of its most important aspects is that it links the Magdalena River (the most important in the country) with the Caribbean Sea, with a large port that links the large international markets.

This district is also internationally recognized for its Carnival, declared by UNESCO as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.

This makes Barraquilla the space for the most colossal celebration of Colombians and Barranquilleros.

Cartagena de Indias, Tourist and Cultural District

It was established in 1991. It is the capital of Bolívar, a department of Colombia that is located on the coasts of the Caribbean Sea.

Since colonial times it has been a port of great importance and commercial development, with beautiful and preserved military constructions, especially castles and walls that form its artistic and cultural heritage, which at the time defined it as "The Walled City".

This district has important properties in the port, tourist and cultural aspect, being recognized by UNESCO as a world heritage Port, Fortress and Monumental Complex of Cartagena de Indias.

Santa Marta, Tourist, Cultural and Historical District

It is the oldest Colombian region and also one of those in South America. Capital of the department of Magdalena, constituted on July 29, 1525, in 1991 the constitution designated it as a Tourist, Cultural and Historical District for having a series of special properties.

Among those treasures are its beaches, warm and beautiful belonging to the Caribbean Sea; its imposing Sierra Nevada, the highest in the country; its Tayrona National Park with a great biodiversity or its colonial-type constructions from first-class architecture.

In the district of Santa Marta, one of the most significant historical events that happened was the death of Simón Bolívar, who on December 17, 1830 was in the "Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino".

Buenaventura, Special, Industrial, Port, Biodiverse and Eco-tourism District

It was established on July 14, 1540 and incorporated as a District in 2007. It is a municipality belonging to Valle del Cauca, of which it is the main fund for development and economic growth, through its port.

These waters belong to the Pacific Ocean and through which a large number of products are marketed that strengthen the country's resources, making it the most important port in Colombia on the Pacific Ocean.

Another quality of this Buenaventura district is the great variety of flora and fauna, with majestic landscapes of large trees and rivers.

In Buenaventura the ocean and the jungle are integrated. Ecotourism is also practiced through some activities, such as the sighting of the humpback whales when passing through the Colombian coast of the Pacific Ocean.

This activity starts from July 15 to September, the dates when these mammals migrate to reproduce.

Riohacha, Special, Tourist and Cultural District

It is the main city of the department of La Guajira, where in addition to being its capital, most of the public, financial, commercial, cultural, sports or educational organizations are concentrated, among others.

Founded in the 16th century and declared a special district on July 24, 2015, with law 1766, it is located at the mouth of the Ranchería River on the shores of the Caribbean Sea.

Among its inhabitants are the Wiwas and Wayúu communities whose spaces are protected, with 8 indigenous protection areas. These groups have made great cultural contributions due to their traditions and customs.

This District was also called "The portal of pearls", due to the collection of pearls formerly carried out by the Spanish.

Its activity today in the economic aspect focuses more than everything on raising livestock, fishing and collecting shellfish.

Other aspects that stand out are: the Sierra de Santa Marta National Natural Park, the Sanctuary of Flora and Fauna of the Flamingos and the attribution of the creation of vallenato, recognized and popular Colombian music.

Mompox or Mompós, Special Tourist, Cultural and Historical District.

On December 27, 2017, it was elevated to the category of District. The new District stands out for being one of the territories that manages the independence of Colombia, for its infrastructure and for its high cultural and tourist level.

Tumaco, special, industrial, port, biodiverse and ecotourism district

Although the determination of article 356 was declared unenforceable (invalid) by the Constitutional Court through judgment C-033 / 09.7 nothing was said regarding the inclusion of Tumaco in the subsection of article 328. Therefore, Tumaco remained as a special district. However, this status has not been formalized by the national public authorities.

Boyacá, Border District

In Boyacá there is the Border District, which is one of the territorial divisions of said department and was created by the Government in 2007.

Judgment C-033 of January 28, 2009, declared the appointment of districts to the cities of Popayán, Tunja, Turbo and Cúcuta unenforceable.

References

1. Law 1617. (5, February, 2013) of the Republic of Colombia by which the Regime of Special Districts is issued. Official diary. Bogotá DC, 2013. No. 48.695. Recovered from: revistaelcongreso.com.
2. The Official Legislative Act number 1 of August 18, 1993. Recovered from: web.archive.org.
3. González, P. About in Spanish: Colombia magical invitations.. Recovered from: encolombia.about.com.
4. Law 1766 of July 24, 2015. Recovered from: wp.presidencia.gov.co.
5. Rico, J. and Rosero, S. (2014). Municipalities with a special regime, case of districts in Colombia. Graduate thesis to apply for the title of Lawyer. Cali, Javeriana University of Cali.
6. District Regime Law is a compilation, not an advance. Recovered from: Agenciadenoticias.unal.edu.co.