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x c h a n g e p a r t i c i p a n t B o o k l e t
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Welcome to Colombia
Here we love to tell stories, to dance, to smile and sing.
We are proud of our diversity, our culture, our gastronomy and of our national talents recognized around the world.
We like to create, yo imagine, to change and transform.
We believe that family always comes first and that friends can become family. We treat visitors like family because we strongly believe they are our ambassadors in the world. We want our guests to take home the best memories, the natural beauty of our land and the sincere smiles of our people.
We want everyone to go home hoping they’ll return to Colombia, the land of magical realism.
Colombia, Magical Realism
Located in South America between the Caribbean and Pacific Ocean, it hosts close to 10% of the world’s biodiversity, making it the second most bio-diverse country in the world. Colombia is known for it’s natural lands, coffee, food and music, but mostly for the friendship and kindness of it’s people. Colombia is: Passion, diversity, development, joy, folk, magic, happiness, warmth and love.
Colombia
Caribbean Ocean Pacific Ocean
Colombia
Capital Bogotรก
The capital, Bogotรก is the main city of the country and the third biggest city of South America.
Meta: Paradise without Frontiers
Because of the immense variety of landscapes and ecosystems it has to offer, Meta province is a veritable natural paradise where thousands of impressively-beautiful natural attraction can be found. Similarly, a unique blending of the different cultures that have resulted in a whole range of dynamic cultural expressions in Meta where the happy, festive atmosphere is highly contagious.
Villavicencio, Gateway to he Plains
Villavicencio, the “Gateway to the Plain”, is the capital of Meta providence, its most important city, and a regional metropolis for the whole of orinoquia. It is 86.5 Kilometres South of Bogotá via the Plains Highway, and stands in the foothill of the Eastern Cordillera.
Its relevance is due to Its closeness to Bogotá (2 h with 48 min (125.7 km) )and the fact that is not only the most commercial city in the providence but also home to almost half the inhabitants of Meta. It stands at a height of 470 meters above see level, and its climate is hot and very humid.
Plains Culture, melting pot of its identity
The people of Meta are easygoing, direct and to the point. Although the are not keen of formalities and do not keep to conventions, the are good friends and have a courteous, kind personality. They are proud of being frank, and call a spade a spade. The have no time for subtleties, and boast of the fact that you can see what they really are.
Typical Plains food Typical Plains food includes beef, pork, poultry, and a whole range of different fish and other animals from the hills and the grasslands, all mixed together with native cooking methods and ingredients, plus contributions from other parts of the world, to produce a gastronomic legacy all its own that has become a very important part of our culture.
The Ocarros Bio Park It is a sanctuary of flora, fauna and folklore, it is one of the main touristy site in Meta, 2km from the urban; it counts with an extension of 5,7 hectares. It is divided into seven sectors around the lake (Made by the waters of the CaĂąo Aguas Claras River). It has 38 exhibitions where it is possible to contemplate more that 190 animal species.
Caño Cristales, World’s most beautiful river
It is a place of great natural value worldly renowned. It is located in the extreme south of the providence, close to the Macarena settlement. The town of La Macarena has been increasing in its offer of touristy and guidance services these last years. The beauty of Caño Cristales is based on aquatic vegetation of different colours that range from green until purple.
Latin American Conference From April 8th to 14th of 2016 Villavicencio hosted LATCO (Latin American Conference) historically known as ILC (Iberoamerican Leadership congress). One of the most important congresses for AIESEC countries in Latin America, because it is the space that gathers the leaders that aim to work together to align and boost our dreams, ambitions and most of all, positive impact initiatives.
Benefits
Airport - Coach Station pink-Up
AIESEC Support & Buddy
Accommodation & Daily Meal
Cultural Agenda
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Juan Sebastian Hernandez lcvp igv
jsebastian.hernadez@aiesec.net
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villavicencio@co.aiesec.org 320 2739756
Copyright © “Fotografía Caño Cristales: por Mario Carvajal (cc) 2012” Available at http://www.mariocarvajal.com. © “Catedral de Nuestra Señora del Carmen” Foto de MparraG Available at http://www.colfincas.com/guiaturistica/villavicencio/ © Fotografia “Cuadrilas de San martin 2009” Available at http://www.viajarenverano.com/fiesta-de-las-cuadrillas-san-martin-meta/ © Fotografia “Parque Los Ocarros” Available at http://www.turismometa.gov.co/el-meta/sitios-turisticos/bioparque-los-ocarros.html © Fotografía “Joropo” Available at http://bladuco.blogspot.com.co/ © Fotografía “villavicencio” © http://www.freepik.com/ in Transport By freepik Available at http://www.hotelestelarvillavicencio.com/villavicencio.htm
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