Medellín
Medellín is the second-largest city in Colombia and the capital of Antioquia, in the Aburrá Valley of the Andes. Its metro area has over 4 million people. Founded in 1675, it became the capital of Antioquia in 1826. During the 19th century, it exported gold, then coffee. Towards the end of the 20th century and into the 21st, the city regained industrial dynamism with the construction of the Medellín Metro, liberalized development policies, and improvements in security and education. Researchers at the Overseas Development Institute have lauded the city as a pioneer of urban innovation.
Typical weather
1981–presentCity Rhythm
measuredOpening hours, by kind of place
median across mapped venuesVital absurdities
measured · the Anti-AwardsSame time system
by rhythmWhat to do each season
1Medellín doesn't have seasons. Well — it does. There is just the one.
year-round
the 'eternal spring'; openmeteo mean 17.0-17.9 °C (Wikipedia avg 22 °C, ranging 17-28 °C) — the most stable temperature in the atlas (0.8 °C range); bimodal rainfall (wetter Apr-May and Sep-Oct ~8-9 mm/day; drier Jan-Feb and Jul-Aug ~5-7 mm/day); ~80% RH
- the defining constant is the equatorial spring — 'La Ciudad de la Eterna Primavera'; the city's identity rests on the year-round ~22 °C climate
- the two wet seasons (Apr-May, Sep-Oct) bring heavier rain; the two drier periods (Jan-Feb, Jul-Aug) are the relative outdoor windows
- the 1,495 m Andean elevation moderates the equatorial heat; 'temperatures can be slightly cooler on the surrounding mountains'
What it is known for
Important moments in a year
Colombiamoda
- Colombiamoda — Latin America's biggest fashion show
- the anchor of Medellín's fashion/textile economy
Feria de Las Flores
- the Feria de las Flores (the Flower Festival) — the defining cultural celebration of the flower industry
On the record
source-trackedMedellín features a tropical monsoon climate (Am). Since Medellín is located at 1,495 m above sea level, its climate is not as hot as other cities located at the same latitude near the equator.
The city's average annual temperature is 22 °C (72 °F), and because of its proximity to the equator, its temperature is constant year-round, with minimal temperature variations. Temperatures range from 17 to 28 °C.
Because of the pleasant springlike climate all year, Medellín is known as 'La Ciudad de la Eterna Primavera' or 'City of the Eternal Spring'.
Medellín is the second-largest city in Colombia … located in the Aburrá Valley, a central region of the Andes Mountains.
Medellín hosts Latin America's biggest fashion show, Colombiamoda.
The Metropolitan Area of Medellín contributes … a bit more than 10% of the economy of Colombia.
The Grupo Empresarial Antioqueño [has] an aggregate market capitalization of approximately US$17 billion and employs more than 80,000 Colombians.
Medellín's main economic products [include] steel, textiles, confections, food and beverage, … pharmaceuticals, refined oil, and flowers.
The city's population was 2,427,129 at the 2018 census. The metro area has more than 4 million people.
Researchers at the Overseas Development Institute have lauded the city as a [pioneer] of urban innovation.
The method behind this atlas — 196 pp. Not published yet.