Barranquilla is an industrial port city located in the northern part of Colombia, near the Caribbean Sea. It is the capital of the Atlántico Department, the largest port and industrial city in the Colombian Caribbean region with a population of more then one million, making it Colombia's fourth most populous city after Bogota, Medellin and Cali.

Known as La Puerta de Oro de Colombia (the Golden Gate of Colombia), Barranquilla is without clear origins but has its own unique cosmopolitan heritage of tolerance and an ethnic mix different from anywhere else in the country.

The annual Carnival of Barranquilla has traditions that date back to the 19th century and is one of the world's largest street carnivals - reputedly only outdone by that of Rio de Janeiro. It is a four-day event and has been designated in 2003 a UNESCO Patrimony of Humanity for being a masterpiece of the oral and intangible heritage of humanity.

The Carnival starts on the Saturday before Ash Wednesday with the Battle of the Flowers, which is considered one of its main activities. Then, The Great Parade on Sunday and Monday is marked by an Orchestra Festival with Latin and Caribbean bands. Tuesday signals the end of the event.

The warmth and spontaneity of the people in Barranquilla is infectious and, even when it's not carnival time, the city has an upbeat atmosphere of enthusiasm and optimism for the good things in life.