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About Colombia

If all you know about Colombia is the distressing news you hear on TV or read in the newspapers, you're missing the charm, history and culture of this fascinating country.

Colombia is a land of varied geographical extremes. With coastlines on both the Pacific and Atlantic oceans; a desert in the northeastern portion of the country which extends into the Caribbean; three Andean mountain ranges dissecting the country; the Amazon savanna and rainforest; and assorted mountains and islands, Colombia offers an environment to suit any taste.

There's much to do and see in Colombia. For the adventure seekers, mountain climbing, rock climbing, canopying, backpacking, and trekking. For water lovers there is scuba diving, snorkeling, fishing, sailing, whale watching, canoeing water rapids and other water sports along Colombia's coastlines and many rivers. With many medicinal thermal hot springs nestled throughout its mountainous regions, Colombia offers many opportunities to relax, recharge and feel better.

With many festivals throughout the year and in many different cities, Colombia offers the perfect venues for those wanting to party up while learning her culture. Bogota, nestled in the Andes, where seventeenth century buildings and skyscrapers stand side by side, offers a haven of cultural activities for those wanting to stay in the Capital. The heroic Cartagena, looking out into the Atlantic Ocean, has some of the most visited beaches in the Caribbean. Parque Tairona in La Guajira, protects the secrets of century old native tribes and shares with all some of the most beautiful landscapes in the world. Bucaramanga and its neighbors in the Santander region, has become one of the most visited areas, full of adventure and adrenaline. With these and many other cities, Colombia is a country of contradictions, dualities and variety.

COLOMBIA FACTS

Capital: Bogota
Population: 43.7 million
Area: 1,138,910 sq.km.
Area - comparative: Slightly less than three times the size of Montana
Population per sq km: 39.7
Life Expectancy: 71.8 years

Land boundaries:
Total: 6,004 km
Border countries: Brazil 1,643 km, Ecuador 590 km, Panama 225 km, Peru 1,496 km (est.), Venezuela 2,050 km Coastline: 3,208 km (Caribbean Sea 1,760 km, North Pacific Ocean 1,448 km)
Climate: Tropical along coast and eastern plains; cooler in highlands
Terrain: Flat coastal lowlands, central highlands, high Andes Mountains, eastern lowland plains
Elevation extremes:
Lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
Highest point: Nevado del Huila 5,750 m
Natural resources: Petroleum, natural gas, coal, iron ore, nickel, gold, copper, emeralds, hydropower

Land use:
Arable land: 4%
Permanent crops: 1%
Permanent pastures: 39%
Forests and woodland: 48%
Other: 8% (1993 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:
Total population: 70.28 years, Male: 66.43 years, Female: 74.27 years (2000 est.)
Ethnic groups: Mestizo 58%, white 20%, mulatto 14%, black 4%, mixed black-Amerindian 3%, Amerindian 1%
Religions: Roman Catholic 90%
Languages: Spanish
Literacy: 91.3%

Government type: Republic; executive branch dominates government structure
Independence: 20 July 1810 (from Spain)
National holiday: Independence Day, 20 July (1810)
Constitution: 5 July 1991
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Political pressure groups and leaders: Two large insurgent groups active in Colombia - National Liberation Army or ELN; and Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia or FARC

Labor force: 16.8 million (1997 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: Services 46%, agriculture 30%, industry 24% (1990)
Unemployment rate: 20% (1999 est.)
Industries: Textiles, food processing, oil, clothing and footwear, beverages, chemicals, cement; gold, coal, emeralds.