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Medellín is the capital city of Antioquia, a province in Colombia (South America). Geographical location 6° 15' North, 75° 36' West. With a population of 2.1 million (3.2 million in the greater metropolitan area) it is the second largest city of Colombia and the first industrial center in the country.
The metropolitan area of Medellín lies within the Aburrá valley at an altitude of 1,538 meters and is bisected by the Medellín river which flows northward. North of the valley are the towns of Bello, Copacabana, Girardota and Barbosa. To the south of the valley lie Itagui, Envigado, Sabaneta, La Estrella and Caldas.
 Aburrá Valley from Quitasol hill looking south with Bello in the foreground and Medellin in the background Through the history Medellín has received different names: Aburrá de los Yamesíes, San Lorenzo de Aburrá, San Lorenzo de Aná, Valle de San Bartolomé, Villa de la Candelaria de Medellín and Medellín. Originally the name of Medellín comes from "Metellium", the ancient latin name for today's town of Medellín, Extremadura in the province Badajoz, Spain. ("Metellium", in turn, is derived from the name of the Roman founder of the city in 75 AD, Cecilio Metello.) The capital of Antioquia has received this name in honor to the earl of such Spain's city, Pedro Portocarrero, who was the president of the Consejo de Indias of Spain by that time.
Besides being the industrial capital of Colombia, Medellín is usually called Ciudad de la Eterna Primavera (Everlasting Spring City), Capital de la Montaña (Mountain's Capital), Ciudad de las Flores (City Of The Flowers), Capital de las Orquídeas (Orchids' Capital), La Bella Villa (Beautiful Village) and Tacita de Plata (Little Silver Cup).
Medellin is also home of many universities that serves mainly to the province of Antioquia. Within the most important are Universidad Nacional, Universidad de Antioquia, Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana and Escuela de Ingenieria de Antioquia.
The main airport serving the area is the José María Córdova International Airport, located in Rionegro. There is also the Olaya Herrera Airport for regional flights. The city is also conected from north to south by a "metro" line system. Important community centers are Parque de los pies descalzos (Barefooted Walking Park), Parque de los deseos (Dreams Park), the municipal zoo and Botanical Garden.
Festivals and events
La Feria de las Flores is the most important carnival of Antioquia and it is done in Medellín at the beginning of august every year, since 1957. This carnival has several activities such as antique cars parade, desfile de silleteros (flower carriers parade), horse ride down the streets, exhibition of fondas from much of the towns in Antioquia, etc.
Other festivals are the International Poetry Festival (June), Myths and Legends parade (December)
External links
Medellín is also a small municipality in the province Badajoz, Spain.
Medellín de Bravo is also a small municipality in the state of Veracruz, Mexico.
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