South America Capitals Quiz
Can you match South American countries with their capitals?
Colombia Capital: Bogotá — Location, Map and Elevation
Bogotá is the capital of Colombia and the country’s largest city. It is located in central Colombia, on the Bogotá savanna in the Eastern Cordillera of the Andes, at an elevation of approximately 2,600 meters (8,530 feet) above sea level. Officially organized as Bogotá, Distrito Capital (Bogotá, D.C.), the city serves as the seat of Colombia’s national government and the administrative capital of Cundinamarca Department.
| Country | Colombia |
|---|---|
| National Capital | Bogotá |
| Official Name | Bogotá, Distrito Capital |
| Administrative Status | Capital District, separate from Cundinamarca Department |
| National Role | Seat of the presidency, Congress, and principal national government institutions |
| Location | Eastern Cordillera of the Andes, central Colombia |
| Elevation | Approximately 2,600 m (8,530 ft) |
| Coordinates | 4°36′N, 74°05′W (approximate city center) |
Bogotá – Colombia’s high-altitude capital in the Andes.
Historically nicknamed the “Athens of South America”, Bogotá is Colombia’s main political, educational, financial, and cultural center. Its urban landscape includes colonial districts, government institutions, universities, museums, business areas, and a large public transport network.
Under Article 322 of Colombia’s Constitution, Bogotá is organized as a Capital District and is also identified as the capital of Cundinamarca Department. However, the district is a separate territorial entity and is not administered as an ordinary municipality of Cundinamarca. Colombia’s presidency operates from Casa de Nariño, while the National Congress meets at the Capitolio Nacional near Plaza de Bolívar.
Timeline of Bogotá
1538: Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada established the Spanish settlement that developed into Bogotá, in territory inhabited by the Indigenous Muisca people.
1810: Bogotá became a major center of the independence movement that eventually led to the creation of an independent Colombian state.
19th Century: Bogotá consolidated its position as the country’s political and administrative capital.
1991: Colombia’s new Constitution established Bogotá’s status as a Capital District under Article 322.
2021: Major construction activities advanced on Bogotá Metro Line 1, the first line of the city’s metro system.
2026: Bogotá remains Colombia’s national capital while major transport projects, including Metro Line 1, continue to reshape mobility across the city.
Quick Stats
Founded
1538
Language
Spanish
Currency
Colombian peso (COP)
Geography
Situated on the Bogotá savanna in the Eastern Cordillera of the Andes
Time Zone
Colombia Time (COT), UTC−5
Colombia does not observe daylight saving time.
Calling Code
+57 (country code)
Driving Side
Right-hand traffic
Nickname
“Athens of South America”
Notable Neighborhoods
- La Candelaria: Bogotá’s historic center, with colonial-era buildings, museums, churches, universities, and government institutions.
- Zona Rosa: A commercial and entertainment district known for restaurants, shopping, and nightlife.
- Usaquén: A northern locality with a historic center, restaurants, shops, and a well-known Sunday market.
Iconic Landmarks
Monserrate
A mountain overlooking Bogotá with a church and viewpoints above the city. Its summit is approximately 3,150 meters above sea level, considerably higher than the central urban plateau.
Plaza de Bolívar
Bogotá’s main civic square, surrounded by national and local government buildings, the cathedral, and historic architecture.
Gold Museum
A major museum containing one of the world’s largest collections of pre-Hispanic goldwork and other archaeological objects.
Bogotá Metro Line 1: 2026 Construction Update
Bogotá is building its first metro line, a new addition to the capital’s public transport system. Metro Line 1 is being constructed primarily as an elevated railway and will connect southwestern Bogotá with central and northern parts of the city. Its planned route covers approximately 23.9 kilometers with 16 stations, extending from the Bosa area to Calle 72 near Avenida Caracas.
The project reached 83.73% overall completion as of September 30, 2026, according to the Empresa Metro de Bogotá. This followed the previously reported 82.33% completion recorded on August 31. Construction continued across the viaduct, stations, railway infrastructure, public-space works, and the Bosa depot and workshop complex.
By the end of September, the completed viaduct measured approximately 18.84 kilometers, representing 93.02% of the viaduct construction component. The first 18 kilometers had been completed during the weekend of September 12–13. Station construction and railway systems remained at different stages of completion.
Train testing on completed viaduct sections was underway during September and October. These tests allow the railway, train systems, signaling, communications, and other operating equipment to be checked as construction progresses. The project authorities continued to target March 2028 for the start of commercial passenger service; construction percentages and test runs do not indicate that the line is already open to passengers.
Did you know? Bogotá sits about 2,600 meters above sea level on a high Andean plateau, making it one of the highest national capitals in the Americas. Its elevation helps explain the city’s relatively cool temperatures despite its location close to the equator.
Bogotá remains Colombia’s political and administrative center, with historic districts, national institutions, universities, businesses, and a transport system undergoing expansion through the construction of Metro Line 1.
Sources
- Constitution of Colombia – Article 322 (Bogotá’s national capital and Capital District status).
- Government of Bogotá – General Information About Bogotá (geographic location and elevation).
- Government of Bogotá – Metro Line 1 Construction Progress (September 2026 completion figure, route, and planned operation).
- Government of Bogotá – Metro Company Progress Report (construction component figures and September 2026 progress).
