Manizales, Colombia

Capital City

With a population of 454,494, Manizales is no idyllic mountain town. The city's abrupt topography and seismic instability have required extensive architectural adaptations, while the persistent fog at the local airport can disrupt travel plans. Yet Manizales remains the capital of Colombia's coffee production and a major hub for higher education, drawing students from across the country. Bureaucracy is a persistent headache, but the city's thriving service sector and reputation as the best place in Colombia to do business may appeal to the entrepreneurially-minded.