City history
Journey through the historical evolution, timekeeping traditions, and urban milestones of Cali, the vibrant heart of Colombia's Valle del Cauca.
Chapter one
Earliest documented name
"Saint James of Cali"
The settlement was officially established by Spanish conquistador Sebastián de Belalcázar, who named the location Santiago de Cali in honor of Saint James, the patron saint of Spain.
Saint James of Cali
The full official name granted during the Spanish colonial era.
Cali
The widely recognized and shortened name used in contemporary daily life and administration.
Chapter two
Colombia standardized its national time to UTC-5, ensuring that major cities like Cali could maintain synchronized schedules for trade and governance.
The city does not participate in daylight saving time, meaning the UTC-5 offset remains constant throughout the year for all residents.
Chapter three
The city was formally founded on July 25, 1536, by Sebastián de Belalcázar, marking the beginning of its long history as a colonial center.
The development of the Pacific Railroad provided a crucial link between Cali and the port of Buenaventura, driving regional economic growth.
The implementation of the Masivo Integrado de Occidente (MIO) modernized urban mobility by introducing a structured Bus Rapid Transit system.
Early 20th-century planning initiatives focused on expanding public utilities and establishing organized street networks to support demographic growth.