Draft:Santa Elena (Medellín)

St. Helena is one of the five corrections in Medellin. It is located to the east of the city and is located 19 kilometers from the center. It is bordered to the north by the municipalities of Copacabana and Bello, to the east by the municipalities of Rionegro and Guarne, to the west by the urban perimeter of Medellin and to the south by Envigado.

History
The development of this region dates back to the settlement of indigenous nuclei belonging to the Tahamí tribe who were salt operators and traders in the region we know as the Antioqueño East. The Piedra Blanca basin, located in that sector, takes place at the time of the conquest with the discovery of the Aburrá Valley. At the end of the eighteenth and early nineteenth century, the development of the basin was increased by the rise of gold mining, an activity that destroyed all natural vegetation by the process of soil removal and subsoil.

Geography
It is part of the eastern highlands of Antioquia and the eastern slope of Medellin. It has a soft to moderately sloped topography, made up of low, rounded hills, well drained; It is a humid tropical climate with mountain influence, with an average temperature of 14.5 °C and a relative humidity of 89%. The main watershed of the corregimiento is the Santa Elena ravage that crosses the territory in a south-northwest direction and has numerous tributaries that come to it from the sector.

Demography
According to the figures presented by the Statistical Yearbook of Medellín in 2005, Santa Elena has a population close to 10,898 inhabitants, of which 5,298 are men and 5,600 are women. It is the largest district of Medellín and has a population density of 154 inhabitants per square kilometer. By 2010, the population exceeds 12,000 inhabitants.

According to the figures presented by the Quality of Life Survey 2005, the socioeconomic stratum with the highest percentage in Santa Elena is stratum 2 (low), which comprises 51.2% of the households. It is followed by stratum 3 (lower-middle), accounting for 25.7%. Next is stratum 1 (very low), with 21.4%, and the remaining 0.9% and 0.6% correspond to strata 4 (middle) and 5 (upper-middle), respectively.

Economy
The economy is determined by smaller-scale agricultural activities such as potato cultivation, flower farming, mulberry and strawberry cultivation, dairy farming, and extractive activities related to forest products. There is also a notable presence of recreational and tourist areas, indicating a growing interest in tourism.

Transportation
It has main roads that connect it with Medellín and the eastern region of Antioquia, providing it with smooth transportation links to the main economic centers of the department.

The traditional communication route with the district is Medellín-Santa Elena-José María Córdova Rionegro Airport, which has been in service since 1928. The inter-veredal road network has good technical specifications, facilitating communication between the hamlets and the main roads, as well as among the hamlets themselves.

Touristic places

 * Arvi Regional Park: This is a territory spanning 1,241 hectares, extending across the municipalities of Medellín, Bello, Copacabana, Guarne, and Envigado. The park boasts a significant wealth of bird species, with 119 reported. Another important asset includes 163 different species of insects. Visitors can engage in various adventure sports such as trekking, kayaking, mountain biking, and camping along its trails, lakes, forests, and streams. With its overseeing position above Medellín, the viewpoints are another major attraction in the area.


 * Piedras Blancas Ecological Park: Located 25 km from Medellín, this park covers 2,400 hectares, with 18 designated as the Ecological Park. It offers visitors a beautiful reservoir, ecological trails, and a wide variety of fauna and flora for everyone's enjoyment. Activities include hiking, horseback riding, bike rides, picnics, camping, rowing, and water biking, swimming, fishing, and more. It features good tourist and recreational infrastructure.


 * Lake circuit: This is a circuit of pre-Hispanic and colonial paths that connected Medellín with the nearby east and the ports of Magdalena and Cauca rivers. These paths were also used by the ancient "silleteros" to transport their products for trade.

During this journey, you can enjoy the Guarne Lagoon, savor a delightful wood-fired "canelazo," and take in a breathtaking view of the city. Additionally, you can immerse yourself in the diverse forests and discover all the stories, myths, and legends that Santa Elena holds.

Festivities and Celebrations

 * Feria de las Flores: The fair takes place annually during the first week of August, where various activities unfold:"


 * Barter Festival: This festival takes place in the central park of the district and provides a suitable space for exchanging objects and experiences. The local barter currency used is 'floricambio.' It occurs on the third Sunday of each month.


 * Moon Concerts: A monthly musical event held within the forests of Santa Elena. It's the perfect occasion to stay in one of the various accommodation options the region has to offer.


 * Night of Lights and Colors: Myths and Legends. In the El Llano hamlet, it has become a tradition on December 7th to recall stories through a celebration featuring dance, street theater, and music.


 * Silletero Festival, Santa Elena Made Tradition: This festival takes place in the central park of the district every second Saturday of each month. Since 2011, it has been established as a space to showcase the 'silletero' culture, bringing together visitors and 'silleteros' to create a 'silleta,' enjoy folk music, and traditional dances from 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. (www.silleteros.com)


 * De Venta al Parque: An artisanal, gastronomic, and agricultural fair that takes place every Sunday of each month in the central park of Santa Elena.


 * Arví Market: Takes place every weekend in the square of the Arví Metrocable Station. Local farmers selling organically grown products, food processors, and artisans from the region can be found there.

More information:

 * Parque Ecoturístico Arví
 * Barrios de Medellín