Belgian Colombians

Belgian Colombians (Spanish: Belga-colombianos) are Colombian citizens of full or partial Belgian ancestry, or Belgian-born people residing in Colombia.

History
The first Belgian immigration to Colombia began in the 16th century, when the Netherlands and New Granada (present-day Colombia and Panama) entered in 1517 under the domain of the Spanish empire of Carlos V of Germany or Carlos I of Spain. The connection of the Belgian territory with the Spanish empire lasted until 1714. Carlos favored the flemings with benefits, positions and concessions of colonizing the Americas. However, the flemings participated in an outstanding way as advisors and bankers of the business.

During the 16th and 17th centuries, early Belgian settlements in Colombia existed in Antioquia, Cartagena, Popayán and Santafé. Among of the early settlers was Nicolás de Federmán who was one of the first Belgian founders to be established of the current day Bogotá. Following the 19th century, several Belgian technicians were being placed at different areas to work in private companies by the Colombian government.

In 1882, the Societé Agricole du Sinú was first established as a Belgian and French banker company which devoted to the agricultural profiteering in the department of Córdoba. By 1908, many Belgians began loaning factories in San José de Suaita, an outlandish agroindustrial project that was founded by the Caballero family in Santander.

By 1948, a series of arguments between investors and technical mistakes led to the creation of a Belgian company that worked on liquidation. Today, most of the Flemish surnames or people with Flemish ancestry are highly concentrated in the city of Cartagena.