# Cúcuta

> capital city of North Santander, Colombia

**Wikidata**: [Q216847](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q216847)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cúcuta)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cucuta

## Summary

Cúcuta is the capital city of Norte de Santander Department in northeastern Colombia, situated near the border with Venezuela. Founded on June 17, 1733, Cúcuta is classified as a municipality of Colombia, a border city, a big city, and a metropolitan area, serving as the departmental capital. The city has a population of 806,378 residents as of 2023 and covers an area of 1,176 square kilometers at an elevation of 320 meters above sea level.

## Key Facts

- **Official Name**: San José de Cúcuta
- **Inception/Founding Date**: June 17, 1733
- **Country**: Colombia
- **Department**: Norte de Santander Department (capital)
- **Area**: 1,176 square kilometers
- **Population**: 806,378 (2023, according to Departamento Administrativo Nacional de Estadística)
- **Coordinates**: 7.9075° N latitude, -72.504722222222° W longitude
- **Elevation**: 320 meters above sea level
- **UN/LOCODE**: COCUC
- **DANE Code**: 54001
- **Website**: https://cucuta.gov.co/
- **Official Flag**: Flag of Cúcuta
- **Classification**: municipality of Colombia, city, border city, big city, metropolitan area

## FAQs

**What is Cúcuta known as?**

Cúcuta is known by several nicknames including "La ciudad verde" (The Green City), "La capital basquetera de Colombia" (The Basketball Capital of Colombia), "La ciudad de los árboles" (The City of Trees), and "La Perla del norte" (The Pearl of the North).

**What major earthquake affected Cúcuta?**

The 1875 Cúcuta earthquake was a significant seismic event that impacted both Colombia and Venezuela, causing substantial damage to the city and surrounding regions.

**What sports teams are based in Cúcuta?**

Cúcuta Deportivo is a professional Colombian football team based in Cúcuta, founded in 1924. The team plays home matches at General Santander stadium, which opened in 1948.

**What educational institutions are located in Cúcuta?**

Cúcuta is home to several higher education institutions including Francisco de Paula Santander University (founded in 1962) and FESC University (a private university founded on August 25, 1993).

**What religious institutions are significant in Cúcuta?**

The Cathedral of Cúcuta, established on March 9, 1734, is a historic church in the city. Additionally, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Cúcuta was established in 1956 and has its headquarters in the city.

**What rivers flow through or near Cúcuta?**

The city is located near several rivers including the Pamplonita River, Zulia River, and Táchira River.

**What notable historical event occurred in Cúcuta?**

The Siege of Cúcuta was a significant historical event associated with the city.

**Is Cúcuta twinned with any other city?**

Cúcuta is twinned with Comayagua.

**What is the significance of Cúcuta's location?**

As a border city, Cúcuta sits on the border between Colombia and Venezuela, making it a key point of cross-border interaction, trade, and cultural exchange in northeastern Colombia.

## Why It Matters

Cúcuta serves as a critical urban center in northeastern Colombia, functioning as the administrative, economic, and cultural hub of Norte de Santander Department. Its strategic border location with Venezuela makes it a vital gateway for international trade and cross-border relations between the two countries. The city functions as a metropolitan area that encompasses a dense urban core with satellite communities, supporting a population of over 800,000 residents.

The city's historical significance dates back to its founding in 1733, with the Cathedral of Cúcuta established the following year, marking it as a center of religious importance in the region. Cúcuta's development was shaped by significant events including the devastating 1875 earthquake that affected both Colombia and Venezuela, demonstrating its regional importance.

Economically, Cúcuta serves as a center for commerce, education, and sports in the Colombian East. The presence of institutions like Francisco de Paula Santander University and FESC University underscores its role as an educational center, while Cúcuta Deportivo represents its sporting prominence, earning the city the nickname "La capital basquetera de Colombia" (The Basketball Capital of Colombia).

The city's classification as both a border city and a major metropolitan area positions it as a key location for understanding urban development, cross-border dynamics, and regional integration in northern South America.

## Notable For

- Capital of Norte de Santander Department since the department's inception in 1910
- Major border city with Venezuela, facilitating international trade and cultural exchange
- Home to Cúcuta Deportivo, a professional football club founded in 1924
- Location of General Santander stadium (opened 1948)
- Site of the historic 1875 Cúcuta earthquake
- Headquarters of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Cúcuta (established 1956)
- Location of Francisco de Paula Santander University (founded 1962)
- Known as "La capital basquetera de Colombia" (Basketball Capital of Colombia)
- Strategic metropolitan area in northeastern Colombia with population exceeding 800,000

## Body

### History and Foundation

Cúcuta was founded on June 17, 1733, originally named San José de Cúcuta. The city quickly became an important settlement in the northeastern region of what would later become Colombia. The Cathedral of Cúcuta was established on March 9, 1734, just months after the city's founding, establishing Cúcuta as a significant religious center from its earliest days.

The city experienced a major catastrophic event on May 18, 1875, when the 1875 Cúcuta earthquake struck. This powerful earthquake affected both Colombia and Venezuela, causing extensive damage to Cúcuta and demonstrating the city's regional significance and vulnerability to seismic activity.

### Geography and Location

Cúcuta is located in Norte de Santander Department in northeastern Colombia, positioned at coordinates 7.9075° N latitude and -72.504722222222° W longitude. The city sits at an elevation of 320 meters above sea level and covers an area of 1,176 square kilometers. Its position as a border city places it directly adjacent to Venezuela, making it a key point of entry and exchange between the two countries.

The metropolitan area encompasses the urban core and surrounding satellite cities, creating a dense urban environment that serves as the departmental capital. Several rivers flow through or near the city, including the Pamplonita River, Zulia River, and Táchira River, which have influenced the city's development and provide important water resources to the region.

### Administrative Status

Cúcuta serves as the capital of Norte de Santander Department, one of Colombia's 32 departments. The department was established on January 1, 1910, with Cúcuta designated as its administrative center. The city has a DANE code of 54001, the official statistical identifier used by Colombia's national administrative department for statistical purposes.

As a municipality of Colombia, Cúcuta operates as a decentralized subdivision of the Republic of Colombia, exercising local governance while remaining part of the national administrative structure. The city's classification as both a city and a municipality reflects its dual role as an urban center and a local administrative unit.

### Demographics and Population

As of 2023, Cúcuta has a population of 806,378 residents according to figures from the Departamento Administrativo Nacional de Estadística (DANE). This population size qualifies Cúcuta as a "big city" under the classification system for cities with populations of at least 100,000 people. The city's population has grown substantially over the years, reflecting urbanization trends in northeastern Colombia.

### Economy and Infrastructure

Cúcuta's economy benefits significantly from its strategic border location with Venezuela. The city serves as a commercial hub for the department and the broader northeastern region, facilitating cross-border trade and economic exchange. Its position as a metropolitan area supports diverse economic activities including commerce, services, manufacturing, and agriculture.

The city's infrastructure includes the General Santander stadium, a sports venue opened in 1948 that serves as home to Cúcuta Deportivo, the professional football club founded in 1924. This stadium represents the city's sporting infrastructure and its commitment to athletics, contributing to Cúcuta's reputation as "La capital basquetera de Colombia" (The Basketball Capital of Colombia).

### Education

Cúcuta is home to several higher education institutions that serve students from across the department and the broader region. Francisco de Paula Santander University was founded in 1962 and represents a major public higher education institution in the city. FESC University is a private institution that began operations on August 25, 1993, established by Superiores Comfanorte to provide additional educational opportunities in the region.

These institutions contribute to Cúcuta's role as an educational center in northeastern Colombia, offering programs across various disciplines and attracting students from across the department and neighboring areas.

### Religion and Culture

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Cúcuta was established in 1956, with the city serving as its headquarters. The diocese oversees Catholic communities throughout the region, continuing the religious tradition that began with the establishment of the Cathedral of Cúcuta in 1734. The Cathedral remains a significant religious and architectural landmark in the city.

Cúcuta's cultural identity is reflected in its various nicknames: "La ciudad verde" (The Green City), "La ciudad de los árboles" (The City of Trees), and "La Perla del norte" (The Pearl of the North). These names highlight the city's green spaces, urban development, and regional importance.

### Sports

Cúcuta Deportivo, founded in 1924, is the city's professional football team and represents Cúcuta in Colombian football competitions. The team plays its home matches at General Santander stadium, which opened in 1948. The city's sporting prominence, particularly in basketball, has earned it the nickname "La capital basquetera de Colombia" (The Basketball Capital of Colombia).

### International Connections

Cúcuta maintains international connections through its border location with Venezuela and its participation in various international frameworks. The city has a UN/LOCODE of COCUC, identifying it in international shipping and trade documentation. The city's classification as a border city reflects its role in cross-border relations between Colombia and Venezuela.

Cúcuta is twinned with Comayagua, demonstrating its commitment to international friendship and cooperation between cities. This twinning relationship represents the city's broader international engagement and cultural exchange initiatives.

### Identification Codes

Cúcuta is identified by various international codes and identifiers: the VIAF ID is 150122378, the FAST ID is 1313790, the GeoNames ID is 3685534, the Freebase ID is /m/02xtlk, and the OpenStreetMap relation ID is 11897110. These identifiers facilitate the city's representation in international databases, library systems, and geographic information systems.

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
2. WikiMapia
3. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
4. MusicBrainz
5. [Source](https://www.publimetro.co/co/noticias/2018/11/07/dane-tambien-se-descacho-la-poblacion-bogota-medellin-cali.html)
6. GeoNames
7. BBC Things
8. [archINFORM](https://www.archinform.net/service/wd_aiort.php)
9. [iNaturalist](https://www.inaturalist.org/places/inaturalist-places.csv.zip)
10. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File
11. GF WordNet