Cali (population 2.3 million) is a city in southwestern Colombia, located on the Cali River. It is the capital of the Valle de Cauca department.
The city was established in 1536 by Sebastian de Benalcazar, and is a major industrial and commercial centre. The city is famous for its gorgeus women and delicious food, known as Mecato, like pandebono, empanada and exotic fruits like chontaduro and borojó. It is well-known throughout Colombia and many parts of South America as a major center of salsa dancing. Located 3° north of the Equator, the weather in Cali is very tropical, with hot, sunny days punctuated by intense storms. It lies between the two westernmost cordilleras of Colombia, about 50 miles east of the Pacific Ocean port city of Buenaventura.
