Cartagena de Indias y su tierra adentro a fines del siglo XVIII : un análisis demográfico

A stark demographic disparity characterized the Colombian Caribbean at the end of the 18th century, where prosperous port cities like Cartagena contrasted sharply with rural areas marked by extreme poverty, sparse population density, and limited integration. This study reveals that while urban centers thrived—evidenced by their dynamic architecture—the majority of the rural population lived in dispersed, impoverished conditions, largely outside the reach of colonial authorities and the Catholic Church. Using data from a 1777 census commissioned by the Spanish Crown, the research analyzes this imbalance, highlighting its long-term impact on economic development, urbanization, and wealth distribution. The findings underscore the tragic paradox of a region where urban prosperity coexisted with rural marginalization, offering insights into the enduring colonial legacy shaping socioeconomic dynamics.

Meisel-Roca, A. (2016). Cartagena de Indias y su tierra adentro a fines del siglo XVIII : un análisis demográfico (, Ed.). Banco de la República. https://doi.org/10.32468/chee.42