Founded in 1536 by the Spanish conqueror Sebastian de Belalcazar, Cali, aka Santiago de Cali, is a major commercial centre on Colombia’s western coast on the Pacific Ocean. It is capital of Valle del Cauca Department. Churches like La Merced and La Ermita can be found downtown, which is centred around La Plaza de Caycedo. Also visit-worthy are the Cali River, Parque del perro, the Belalcazar monument and La Tertulia art museum.