Going Global: South America
El Dorado, Cartagena, Co “The business of Blacks is the largest and the
A 3-story “Afro-Colombian Mural, Currulao y Desplazamiento,” is located at 1344 U Street NW in Washington, DC. The mural pays homage to the thriving culture in Colombia that traces its roots to the Africans who infused the country with customs and traditions brought from their motherland and Cartagena de Indias is the best place to immerse yourself in this history. Colombians of African-descent represent the third largest black population outside of Africa and the second largest in South America. Cartagena is a living history museum of the Afro-Colombian culture and colonial Spanish history and is the location of a UNESCO site. The city is situated on the northern coast of the country -8- | ExtendedWeekendGetaways ~ November, 2023
on the Caribbean. Prior to the initial siting by the Spanish, and subsequent naming as Golfo de Barú, the region was settled by the Calamari Indians. On June 1, 1533 Don Pedro de Heredia established Cartagena de Poniente. African slaves had been introduced into New Granada, Colombia, in the 1520s and by
the 1770s more than 55% of the country was comprised of free people of color. During the colonial era Cartagena was one of the Spanish Main’s most significant ports. Precious metals were shipped from the port and supplies, products and slaves were imported. Cartagena would
