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Santafe de Bogota?

I was reading a book on Colombia where the introduction explained it's use of Bogota to refer to the countries capital, as it had been in common parlance since 1819 and acknowledged that whilst the name had official been changed to Santafe de Bogota in 1991, it would continue to use Bogota for brevities sake.

But on another website (Possibly this one) I seem to recall reading that the Santafe de Bogota thing wasn't true.

I apologise for the uttely pedantic post but what is the correct name of the capital of Colombia?

By Cockney Colombian on Jun 18, 2005, 02:27 in Friendly Talkzone.

sandramoreno80 says on Jun 18, 2005, 02:45:

As far as I know its full name is Santafe de Bogota, like Santiago de Cali is its full name and Cartagena de Indias. I remember before 1991 it was just Bogota, then after everyone would use Santafe de Bogota, but know I think it depends on the user. Speaking I would just use Bogota but on letters I would use the full name.

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Desideria (Moderator) (Trustee board) says on Jun 18, 2005, 02:53:

I believe that the name was changed back to "just" Bogotá. Santiago de Cali is still the full name of Cali.
B/tá people (juanalejo, pedro, carolain etc.) will know for sure.
Cheers,
Desi

"When shall we three meet again? In thunder, lightning, or in rain?"(First Witch in Macbeth)

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kernow62 says on Jun 18, 2005, 04:29:

I think Desi is correct, I think it is from a local indian name Bacata. I am not sure if the full title is now Bogotá or Bogotá D.C.

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santiBOG says on Jun 18, 2005, 04:29:

The 1991 Constitution did officially change the name to Santafé de Bogotá. However, years later (2001 or so) the Peñalosa administration promoted a constitutional amendment in Congress to change the name back to just Bogotá. Fortunately, it passed. And it only makes sense, there was no legitimate reason to add the "Santafé" part back to the name in 1991; "Bogota" is autochthonous, 100% Colombian. Santafé, otoh sounds colonial.

Strangely, after Bogota started the Santafé thing in '91, other cities started calling themselves with the longer name too. Example... Santiago de Cali, San Juan de Pasto, Cartagena de Indias, etc. These names had probably already been in place for years, but for some reason, after 1991 people started using them more. Go figure.

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santiBOG says on Jun 18, 2005, 04:31:

Yes, kernow, it's Bogotá, D.C. (Distrito Capital).

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Gator says on Jun 18, 2005, 04:46:

To Be Correct.... it is Bogotá, D.C. However, kinda like in the USA saying Washington or Washington, D.C.. If I was sending mail or a package I wouold use Bogotá, D.C. Colombia

"Credidi pretio parvo emere et magno vendere tibi in animo fuisse!" .

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