The city of Cartagena is the capital of the Bolivar State, and the fifth-largest city in Colombia. It lies in the northern part of Columbia in the Caribbean coast region. The city is known to the world for its historical significance.
Settlements around the Cartagena Bay date back to 4000 BC. It is believed that various indigenous people had inhabited the place back then. The city was, however, founded in 1533 by a Spanish commander 
Pedro de Heredia, and remained a major colony of Spain for nearly three centuries. In fact, it was named after the Cartagena city of Spain. During the Spanish rule, the Columbian Cartagena was a centre of political and economic activities. It was also a major slave market.
In 1811, Cartagena declared independence from Spain and the following years witnessed great confusion and fights. The city that was once economically stable then declined in commerce. However, after the opening of petroleum fields in the Magdalena River valley in 1917, Cartagena experienced a renewed growth. Today, it is an important city in Columbia.