Salamina, Caldas

Salamina is a town and municipality in the Colombian department of Caldas. It is located north of the department and has a township called San Felix. It was declared a national monument and historic heritage of mankind.

Main Park in Salamina

Salamina (Caldas)
Municipality and town
Flag Seal
Nickname(s):  City of Light
Location of the municipality and town of Salamina, in the Caldas Department of Colombia.
Salamina (Caldas) Location in Colombia
Coordinates: 5°24′29.99″N 75°29′24″W
Country	Colombia
Department	Caldas Department
Founded	1825
Area
• Municipality and town	403.54 km2 (155.81 sq mi)
Elevation	1,822 m (5,978 ft)
Population  (2009)[1]
• Municipality and town	18,704
• Density	46/km2 (120/sq mi)
• Urban	10,933
Time zone	UTC-5 (Colombia Standard Time)
Website	www.salamina-caldas.gov.co

Salamina was founded in 1825 by Fermin Lopez, Francisco Marulanda and others. Salamina is known as the "city of light" because there Caldas has produced many poets, musicians, actors and writers. It is also known as "Mother of Nations" because it was one of the centers from where the founders and first settlers of Neira, Aranzazu, Manizales, Santa Rosa de Cabal, Pereira, Armenia, among others parted. It was elevated to a municipality in 1861.

It has a population of about 20,000 inhabitants, an area of 40,354 hectares and an average temperature of 22°C (71.6°F). Its economy is based on coffee and raise livestock and dairy.