Landmarks

In modern use, the term can also be applied to smaller structures or features, that have become local or national symbols.

A landmark is a recognizable natural or artificial feature used for navigation, a feature that stands out from its near environment and is often visible from long distances.

Etymology

In old English the word landmearc (from land + mearc (mark)) was used to describe an "object set up to mark the boundaries of a kingdom, estate, etc.". Starting from approx. 1560, this understanding of landmark was replaced by a more general one. A landmark became a "conspicuous object in a landscape". A landmark literally meant a geographic feature used by explorers and others to find their way back or through an area. For example, the Table Mountain near Cape Town, South Africa is used as the landmark to help sailors to navigate around southern tip of Africa during the Age of Exploration. Artificial structures are also sometimes built to assist sailors in naval navigation. The Lighthouse of Alexandria and Colossus of Rhodes are ancient structures built to lead ships to the port.

In modern usage, a landmark includes anything that is easily recognizable, such as a monument, building, or other structure. In American English it is the main term used to designate places that might be of interest to tourists due to notable physical features or historical significance. Landmarks in the British English sense are often used for casual navigation, such as giving directions. This is done in American English as well.

In urban studies as well as in geography, a landmark is furthermore defined as an external point of reference that helps orienting in a familiar or unfamiliar environment. Landmarks are often used in verbal route instructions and as such an object of study by linguists as well as in other fields of study.

Types

Landmarks are usually classified as either natural landmarks or man-made landmarks, both are originally used to support navigation on finding directions. A variant is a seamark or daymark, a structure usually built intentionally to aid sailors navigating featureless coasts. 

Natural

Natural landmarks can be characteristic features, such as mountains or plateaus. Examples of natural landmarks are Table Mountain in South Africa, Mount Ararat in Armenia, Uluru in Australia, Mount Fuji in Japan and Grand Canyon in the United States. Trees might also serve as local landmarks, such as jubilee oaks or conifers. Some landmark trees may be nicknamed, examples being Queen's Oak, Hanging Oak or Centennial Tree.

Man made

In modern sense, landmarks are usually referred to as monuments or distinctive buildings, used as the symbol of a certain area, city, or nation, such as the Statue of Liberty in New York City, Eiffel tower in Paris, Big Ben in London, Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro, Sydney Harbour Bridge in Sydney, or Brandenburg Gate in Berlin. Church spires and mosque's minarets are often very tall and visible from many miles around, thus often serve as built landmarks. Also town hall towers and belfries often have a landmark character.

Montería

Montería is a municipality and city located in Northern Colombia and is the capital of the Department of Córdoba. The city is located 50 km (31 mi) away from the Caribbean sea, by the Sinú River. The city and region are famous for their distinct cultural heritages, which include a blend of indigenous Zenú Indians, African descendants, colonial Spanish descendants, and more recently, Arab immigrants. The city is home to the Sombrero Vueltiao, a national symbol; and is the home of Porro folklore music. The city has an inland seaport connected to the Caribbean Sea by the Sinú River.

History

The area was first settled by Zenú Indians, who lived in the banks of the Sinú River (Finzenú), San Jorge River (Panzenú) and Nechí River (Zenúfana), where the Department of Córdoba is located today. In 2003, dentist and historian Jaime Castro releasedHistoria Extensa de Montería, a book on the history of the city. According to Castro's book, Montería was founded on May 1, 1777 by Spanish officer Antonio de la Torre y Miranda, being governor of the Province of Cartagena officer Juan de Torrezar Díaz Pimienta. The city, which had been named Montería by its inhabitants and located on the east side of the Sinú river, was then renamed "San Jerónimo de Buenavista" and moved to the west side of the Sinú.

San Jerónimo de Buenavista was the name chosen by Antonio de la Torre y Miranda, in order to honor Saint Jeronimo, but people referred to it as Montería. In 1803, the city was burned by a group of natives, so the residents decided to move back to the Sinú's east bank, where it remains today. In recent years, Monteria has seen a growth in population on the west side. In 1923, it became a municipality of Bolívar Department, and in 1952, it was designated as capital of the new Department of Córdoba. Montería was located within the boundaries of the Colombian Department of Bolívar until 1952 when it separated from Bolívar and became the capital of the new Department of Córdoba.

With a population of approximately 400,000, the city is considered to be one of the ten most important cities in Colombia and is locally known as La Perla del Sinú (The Pearl of the River Sinú).

Landmarks

Ronda del Sinú

Ronda del Sinu is a linear park located in Monteria, Cordoba, to the east bank of the Sinu River. It was built in 2005 in the administration of Mayor Fidel Leon Ojeda. It is about 2 kilometers long between the street 21 under the metal bridge to the street 38. In its facilities you can find many wild animals such as iguanas , sloths and several species of monkeys and flora own in the tropical dry forest region. Since 2010 the city has a second round of Sinu , known as the Ronda del Norte in the neighborhood El Recreo in the north of the city, which has a viewpoint in addition to the same attractions of the original Round.

Alamedas shopping centre

Alamedas Del Sinu, is a shopping mall located in the north of Monteria, consists of 163 stores, 500 parking spaces, the Alamedas Del Sinu Hotel consists of 90 rooms, 2 anchor stores and 42.000m². It is the largest mall in the city. It was built in 1998 by Pedro Ojeda Visbal & cia, since undergone it has had a series of renovations and expansions. It has 5 Cinema rooms, 1 large food court with 26 local brands such as Studio F, Hugo Boss, among others. It is considered the meeting point of the monterianos and monterianas, for his great attention and different varieties of entertainment.

Airport Los Garzones

The Garzones Airport (IATA: MTR, ICAO: SKMR) is located 10 km from the center of the city of Monteria, Cordoba (Colombia). In it the airlines provides commercial services with ADA airline, Avianca, EasyFly, LAN Colombia and Viva Colombia. In 2008 it was awarded through a competitive bidding process to "AirPlan" consortium of the following companies: S.A.; Malibu Fernando Mazuera y Cia., SA Information and Technology, Urban Portales SA, Colombian Society of Commercial Investment (Socinsa), Supertiendas and Droguerías Olympic Noarco S.A. and Integrated Services Networks and Communications, together with the Chinese company CAH Colombia, among the works proposed are the construction of a new terminal, refurbishment of runways and taxiways, new safety systems, among others. Since 2010 the airport has urban bus service that connects the terminal with the terminal of intermunicipal buses from the city of Monteria.