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LeticiaLeticia, Colombia, is a small city of approximately 37,000 inhabitants on the left bank of the Amazon river, and at the point where Colombia, Brazil and Peru, come together in an area called Tres Fronteras. Leticia is the capital of the department of Amazonas, and Colombia's southernmost town (4.09 south 69.57 west) as well as its only major port on the river. It has an elevation of 96 meters above sea level and an average temperature of 27 C (80.6 F). Leticia has long been Colombia's shipping point for tropical fishes for the aquarium trade. A long standing border despute involving Leticia, between Colombia and Peru, was decided in 1934 by the League of Nations. This was the first instance of action by an international body in its powers covered by the Monroe Doctrine. Even though it is a city within the borders of Colombia and a capital of one of its states, Leticia is very peaceful and isolated from the problems of the rest of the country; FARC activity is limited in the deep south of Colombia. History Early History Early rumors about Leticias history lead back to when the spanish and portuguese first explored the Amazon River. History talks about one portuguese explorer who got lost on the river and he and his crew died there of starvation. Legends say that when the Peruvian goverment decided to colonise the area to keep the Colombian goverment from claiming it, they found a cross with the words "San Antonio". They named the town after this cross. No one knows if the stories are true, but Leticia was originally named San Antonio by the Peruvian Goverment. A small war between the Colombian and Peruvian nations started and lasted for several years then the countries apealed to the League of Nations do settle the fight. The matter was settled and Colombia maintained control of San Antonio. Stories say that a famous Colombian general, mayor, president or some power of the sort fell in love with a beautiful indian named Leticia and named the town after her. Other stories say that the president of Peru fell in love with a indian named Leticia and gave the land to her as a gift. The Population of Leticia The Colombian goverment was certain that the Peruvian goverment would be back for their land. To stop any such threat from 1940-1965 they offered to take anyone who wanted to go from Bogota to Leticia to populate and build the town. These were the original populating families who still live in Leticia today. During this time the main international street was built that, was later stretched to be the main street in Tabatinga, Brazil. The Street was done in a way that has since been forgotten and the handywork still stands today as a great test of time. Since then no street of such quality have ever been made in Leticia. During this time also the basis for Letician economy was created: fishing, farming, and tourism still stand as some of the area's only economical abilities. The Violent 70s In the 70s a new way to make money came to the Amazon, Drugs. During the late 60s and 70s, narcotic drugs were bought and sold in broad daylight. For Leticia, this was a time for great growth. Several rich cartel leaders built big houses such as the Casa Grande and contributed to the economy. During this time everyone was involved in the drug buisiness. As time progressed, a lucrative idea began to form. The idea likely came aboutto allow for shipping of drugs in trucks, so they could be boated up the Putumayo river. This was to avoid shipping by air. The concept was to build a 70 km (~35 miles) highway to the small city of Taracana, which is right beside the Putumayo river. The first 12 km were all that were ever finished before cartel members were arrested. The drug business had run fine for a time, but with the United States pushing for a reduction in drug trade, new tough hitting cops were brought in to Leticia. They stopped many drug cartel leaders in the city, siezing such famous place as Monkey Island and the Casa Grande for the goverment. Recent History Not much new has happened in the city of leticia. In 2003 President Alvaro Uribe came to the region and sat for 12 hours listening to all the problems in the town. He promised to bring in help for Leticias sagging economy including bringing in a famous colombian resort chain to help tourism and better many social problems. In late 2004 a siezed hotel was sold to the Decamaron Resort company and has brought much more tourism to the area. They have also promised to bring in a new airline company to compeat with Aero Republica which has monopolized the flight to and from Bogota charging near 250 dollars for a round trip flight. Culture Peoples Leticia is a United States of sorts, the majority of people who live in Leticia come from somewhere else. There is no major majority even many of the people that came from living in Bogota had moved there from somewhere else. People from Bogota,Medellin, and Tolima are the big majority suprisingly few people from Cali live in Leticia. A good amount of Natives live in Leticia most having moved from indian villages around the area to make a "better" living. Also a good amount of Peruvians looking for jobs come to Leticia mostly from Iquitos they cause a city with already few jobs to have fewer and cause major problems in the Letician economy. Foods Leticia is a mixing bowl for food even thought they commonly eat the same things each week each region of colombias delicacy are made here. For example many people make Sancocho a hearty soup, in different regions of colombia. Each family makes it differently in Leticia depending on how they know or how theyve been tought. Common staple are baked meats baked together with potatoes and sometimes vegetables usaully over a stovetop oven in a big pan or something of the sort. Also grilled meats grilled in makeshift charcoal grillers served with rice and plantain is a usual sunday meal.
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