Colombia
Country Guide

Explore Colombia

Colombia with its capital Bogota is located in South America (Northern South America, bordering the Caribbean Sea). It covers some 1,138,911 square kilometers (slightly less than twice the size of Texas) with a population of 47,698,500. Spanish is the language spoken by the majority in Colombia. Brazil, Ecuador, Panama, Peru and Venezuela are bordering countries.

Colombia is the only country in South America with coastlines on both the North Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea. Traveling in Colombia is definitely worthwhile, however: it is really important to understand that there are still many areas of the country that are considered too dangerous for tourism. The climate is tropical along the coast and eastern plains; cold in the highlands. Much of Colombia is in the Andes, which means there is very nice mountainous scenery to be found. On the other hand, there are also nice beaches to be found in the lowlands. The currency of Colombia is the Colombian peso. Most banks and money changes will accept major world currencies such as the US dollar and the Euro. Be sensitive. Colombians are a proud people, and are proud of the progress they've made. Do not make jokes about the drug trade in Colombia, as it has ruined many innocent citizens' lives. Drink only bottled water outside the major cities. The water in major cities is safe. Anywhere else, never get drinks with ice cubes in them. Clothing, including lingerie is particularly well-regarded as high quality and very affordable. Leather garments, shoes and accessories are also of interest to foreigners.

Popular Destinations in Colombia

Administrative regions of Colombia

• Amazonas
• Antioquia
• Atlantico
• Bogota DC
• Cundinamarca
• Departamento de Arauca
• Departamento de Bolivar
• Departamento de Boyaca
• Departamento de Caldas
• Departamento de Casanare
• Departamento de Cordoba
• Departamento de La Guajira
• Departamento de Narino
• Departamento de Norte de Santander
• Departamento de Risaralda
• Departamento de Santander
• Departamento de Sucre
• Departamento de Tolima
• Departamento del Caqueta
• Departamento del Cauca
• Departamento del Cesar
• Departamento del Choco
• Departamento del Guainia
• Departamento del Guaviare
• Departamento del Huila
• Departamento del Magdalena
• Departamento del Meta
• Departamento del Putumayo
• Departamento del Valle del Cauca
• Departamento del Vaupes
• Departamento del Vichada
• Providencia y Santa Catalina, Departamento de Archipielago de San Andres
• Quindio Department

About the country

The terrain is flat coastal lowlands, central highlands, high Andes Mountains, eastern lowland plains (Llanos). The average density of population is about 42 per km². The climate in Colombia can be described as tropical along coast and eastern plains with cooler in highlands. Possible natural disasters include Galeras (4,276 m) is one of Colombia's most active volcanoes, having erupted in 2009 and 2010 causing major evacuations; it has been deemed a Decade Volcano by the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior, worthy of s, highlands subject to volcanic eruptions, occasional earthquakes and periodic droughts.

To reach someone Colombia dial +57 prior to a number. The local cellular networks are operated on 850 MHz, 1900 MHz, 3G, 4G. Websites typically end with the top level domain ".co". If you want to bring electric appliances (e.g. battery chaarger), keep in min the local 110 V - 60 Hz (plugs: A, B). The sign for the locally used currency Peso is COP.

Three horizontal bands of yellow (top, double-width), blue, and red; the flag retains the three main colors of the banner of Gran Colombia, the short-lived South American republic that broke up in 1830; various interpretations of the colors exist and include: yellow for the gold in Colombia's land, blue for the seas on its shores, and red for the blood spilled in attaining freedom; alternatively, the colors have been described as representing more elemental concepts such as sovereignty and justice (yellow), loyalty and vigilance (blue), and valor and generosity (red); or simply the principles of liberty, equality, and fraternity.

Colombia was one of the three countries that emerged after the dissolution of Gran Colombia in 1830 (the others are Ecuador and Venezuela). A decades-long conflict between government forces and antigovernment insurgent groups, principally the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) heavily funded by the drug trade, escalated during the 1990s. More than 31,000 former paramilitaries demobilized by the end of 2006 and the United Self Defense Forces of Colombia as a formal organization ceased to operate. In the wake of the paramilitary demobilization, organized criminal groups arose, whose members include some former paramilitaries. After four years of formal peace negotiations, the Colombian Government signed a revised final peace accord with the FARC in November 2016, which was subsequently ratified by the Colombian Congress. The accord calls for members of the FARC to demobilize, disarm, and reincorporate into society and politics, and it creates an alternative system for transitional justice that includes a “Special Jurisdiction for Peace” to address accountability for conflict-related crimes and established truth-telling mechanisms. The Colombian Government has stepped up efforts to reassert government control throughout the country, and now has a presence in every one of its administrative departments. Despite decades of internal conflict and drug related security challenges, Colombia maintains relatively strong democratic institutions characterized by peaceful, transparent elections and the protection of civil liberties.

Geography

Area
Total (World Rank: 27)	1,138,910	sq km
Land (World Rank: 27)	1,038,700	sq km
Water (World Rank: 9)	100,210	sq km
Forest (World Rank: 46)	34.50	%
Comparative	slightly less than twice the size of Texas
Note	includes Isla de Malpelo, Roncador Cay, and Serrana Bank
Coastline
3208
Landborder
6672
Elevation
Highest point (World Rank: 19)	5,730	m
Agricultural land
Total (World Rank: 114)	37.50	%
Arable (World Rank: 192)	1.40	%
Permanent crops (World Rank: 101)	1.60	%
Permanent pastures (World Rank: 46)	34.50	%
Irrigated land (World Rank: 43)	10,900	sq km
Map reference
South America
Environment
Issues	- air pollution - deforestation - especially in Bogota - from vehicle emissions - soil and water quality damage from overuse of pesticides
Agreement party	- Antarctic Treaty - Biodiversity - Climate Change - Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol - Desertification - Endangered Species - Hazardous Wastes - Marine Life Conservation - Ozone Layer Protection - Ship Pollution - Tropical Timber 83 - Tropical Timber 94 - Wetlands
Agreement signed	Law of the Sea
Hazzards	- Galeras (4,276 m) is one of Colombia's most active volcanoes, having erupted in 2009 and 2010 causing major evacuations; it has been deemed a Decade Volcano by the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior, worthy of s - highlands subject to volcanic eruptions - occasional earthquakes - periodic droughts
Location
Northern South America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Panama and Venezuela, and bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between Ecuador and Panama
Climate
tropical along coast and eastern plains; cooler in highlands
Terrain
flat coastal lowlands, central highlands, high Andes Mountains, eastern lowland plains (Llanos)

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People

Population
Total (World Rank: 29)	47,698,500
Deathrate (World Rank: 176)	0.55	%
Birthrate (World Rank: 114)	1.61	%
Growthrate (World Rank: 114)	0.99	%
Migration rate (World Rank: 96)	-0.06	%
Fertility rate (World Rank: 116)	2.00	%
Median age
Male (World Rank: 120)	29.00
Female (World Rank: 109)	31.00
Age structure
0 14 male (World Rank: 32)	5,917,420
0 14 female (World Rank: 32)	5,634,520
15 24 male (World Rank: 24)	4,191,030
15 24 female (World Rank: 25)	4,038,310
25 54 male (World Rank: 28)	9,918,700
25 54 female (World Rank: 28)	10,071,400
55 64 male (World Rank: 27)	2,059,710
55 64 female (World Rank: 27)	2,318,320
65 x male (World Rank: 29)	1,480,970
65 x female (World Rank: 29)	2,068,120
Health
Infant mortality rate (World Rank: 106)	1.36	%
Life expectancy total (World Rank: 92)	76	years
Life expectancy female (World Rank: 87)	79	years
Life expectancy male (World Rank: 103)	73	years
Physicians per 1000 (World Rank: 90)	1.57
Hospital bed per 1000 (World Rank: 124)	1.50
Sanitation access total (World Rank: 121)	81.10	%
Obesity adult (World Rank: 79)	22.30	%
Drinking water access (World Rank: 131)	91.40	%

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Energy

Electricity
Production (World Rank: 40)	67,260,000,000	kWh
Consumption (World Rank: 44)	57,600,000,000	kWh
Export (World Rank: 69)	460,000,000	kWh
Import (World Rank: 103)	45,000,000	kWh
Source fossil (World Rank: 185)	29.40	%
Source nuclear (World Rank: 20)	69.00	%
Source renew (World Rank: 124)	1.60	%
Crude oil
Production (World Rank: 21)	886,000	bbl / day
Exports (World Rank: 19)	681,900	bbl / day
Proved reserves (World Rank: 36)	2,002,000,000	bbl
Refined products
Production (World Rank: 38)	362,100	bbl / day
Consumption (World Rank: 39)	345,000	bbl / day
Export (World Rank: 42)	83,920	bbl / day
Import (World Rank: 57)	95,790	bbl / day
Natural gas
Production (World Rank: 38)	11,910,000,000	m³
Consumption (World Rank: 43)	18,820,000,000	m³
Export (World Rank: 44)	400,000,000	m³
Carbon footprint
74000000

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Nation

Budget
Education (World Rank: 92)	5	% of GDP
Military (World Rank: 23)	3	% of GDP
Health (World Rank: 74)	7	% of GDP
Surplus (World Rank: 90)	-2	% of GDP
National symbol
Andean condor
National colours
yellow
Adjective
Colombian
Noun
Colombian(s)
Background
Colombia was one of the three countries that emerged after the dissolution of Gran Colombia in 1830 (the others are Ecuador and Venezuela). A decades-long conflict between government forces and antigovernment insurgent groups, principally the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) heavily funded by the drug trade, escalated during the 1990s. More than 31,000 former paramilitaries demobilized by the end of 2006 and the United Self Defense Forces of Colombia as a formal organization ceased to operate. In the wake of the paramilitary demobilization, organized criminal groups arose, whose members include some former paramilitaries. After four years of formal peace negotiations, the Colombian Government signed a revised final peace accord with the FARC in November 2016, which was subsequently ratified by the Colombian Congress. The accord calls for members of the FARC to demobilize, disarm, and reincorporate into society and politics, and it creates an alternative system for transitional justice that includes a “Special Jurisdiction for Peace” to address accountability for conflict-related crimes and established truth-telling mechanisms. The Colombian Government has stepped up efforts to reassert government control throughout the country, and now has a presence in every one of its administrative departments. Despite decades of internal conflict and drug related security challenges, Colombia maintains relatively strong democratic institutions characterized by peaceful, transparent elections and the protection of civil liberties.
Flag description
three horizontal bands of yellow (top, double-width), blue, and red; the flag retains the three main colors of the banner of Gran Colombia, the short-lived South American republic that broke up in 1830; various interpretations of the colors exist and include: yellow for the gold in Colombia's land, blue for the seas on its shores, and red for the blood spilled in attaining freedom; alternatively, the colors have been described as representing more elemental concepts such as sovereignty and justice (yellow), loyalty and vigilance (blue), and valor and generosity (red); or simply the principles of liberty, equality, and fraternity

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Economy

Gdp
Purchasing power parity (World Rank: 31)	688,600,000,000	USD
Real growth rate (World Rank: 133)	2.00	%
Per capita purchasing power parity (World Rank: 110)	14,100	USD
Source agriculture (World Rank: 109)	7.10	%
Source industry (World Rank: 63)	32.60	%
Source service (World Rank: 121)	60.30	%
Labourforce
Total (World Rank: 25)	24,410,000
In poverty (World Rank: 72)	27.80	%
Products
Industries	- beverages - cement - chemicals - clothing - coal - emeralds - food processing - footwear - gold - oil - textiles
Agriculture	- bananas - cocoa beans - coffee - corn - cut flowers - forest products - oilseed - rice - shrimp - sugarcane - tobacco - vegetables
Exports	- apparel - bananas - coal - coffee - cut flowers - emeralds - nickel - petroleum
Imports	- chemicals - consumer goods - electricity - fuels - industrial equipment - paper products - transportation equipment

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Communication

Phone
Landline total (World Rank: 24)	7,115,980
Landline per 100 (World Rank: 117)	15.00
Mobile per 100 (World Rank: 70)	124.00
Assessment	0
Internet
Users (World Rank: 28)	27,452,600
Population (World Rank: 102)	58.10	%

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Transport

Air
Airports paved (World Rank: 19)	121.00
Airports unpaved (World Rank: 8)	715
Heliports (World Rank: 45)	3.00
Rail
Total length (World Rank: 73)	2,141
Road
Total length (World Rank: 25)	204,855
Water
Total length (World Rank: 6)	24,725

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