From a troubled past to a beacon of urban innovation, Medellín's transformation story is one of resilience, creativity, and hope.
Population
Average Temperature
Elevation
Founded
Once known as one of the world's most dangerous cities, Medellín has undergone one of the most remarkable urban transformations in modern history. Through innovative urban planning, social investment, and community engagement, the city has reinvented itself.
The transformation began in the 1990s with massive public investment in education, transportation, and public spaces. The iconic Metro system, cable cars connecting hillside neighborhoods, and world-class libraries became symbols of change.
Today, Medellín is recognized globally as a model of urban innovation, earning accolades like the "Most Innovative City" award and becoming a destination for urban planners worldwide.
Founded by Francisco Herrera Campuzano as "Villa de Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria de Medellín" in the Aburrá Valley.
Became the center of Colombia's textile industry and coffee trade, earning the nickname "Manchester of South America."
The city faced severe challenges with drug cartels and violence, becoming one of the world's most dangerous cities.
Massive urban renewal projects, including the Metro system (1995), library parks, and cable cars, transformed the city into a model of urban innovation.
Medellín continues to innovate with smart city initiatives, sustainable transportation, and social programs, attracting international visitors and investment.
Medellín is located in the Aburrá Valley in the central Andes Mountains of Colombia, in the department of Antioquia.
The city sits at an elevation of 1,495 meters (4,905 feet) above sea level, surrounded by mountains that reach up to 3,000 meters.
This unique geography creates natural barriers that help define the city's distinctive neighborhoods and microclimates.
Medellín enjoys a subtropical highland climate with consistent temperatures year-round, earning it the nickname "City of Eternal Spring."
Average temperatures range from 18°C to 28°C (64°F to 82°F) throughout the year, with minimal seasonal variation.
The city experiences two rainy seasons (April-May and October-November) and two dry seasons, but rain rarely disrupts daily activities.