At a glance

Official Name:
Republic of Colombia

Capital:
Bogota

Population:
45,013,674 (July 2008 est.)  

Languages:
Spanish

Religion:
Roman Catholic 90%,
Other 10%

Life Expectancy:
Male: 68
Female: 76

Currency:
Colombian peso

GDP (Purchasing Power Parity):
$319.5 billion (2007 est.)

National Holidays:
January 1, New Year’s Day;
January 6, Epiphany;
March 20, Maundy Thursday (Variable);
March 21, Good Friday (Variable);
March 23, Easter (Variable);
March 24 (Variable), Easter Monday;
May 21, Ascension;
May 22, Corpus Christi;
June 30, Sagrado Corazon;
July 3, Saint Peter and Saint Paul Day;
July 20, Independence Day;
August 7, Battle of Boyacá; August 15, Assumption;
October 15, Día de la raza;
November 1, All Saints Day;
November 12, Independence of Cartagena City;
December 8, Immaculate Conception;
December 25, Christmas Day.

Industries:
Textiles, food processing, oil, clothing and footwear, beverages, chemicals, cement; gold, coal, emeralds.

Colombia

Colombia’s history began thousands of years ago, when several Caribbean cultures, identified as the Tayrona, Sinú, Muisca, and Quimbaya, inhabited the area. In the mid 1500s, the Spanish arrived and Colombia became Spain’s main source of gold, exporting to different parts of the world. Colombia emerged during the collapse of Gran Colombia in 1830, along with Ecuador and Venezuela, and later became involved the international drug trade.

By the 1900’s the drug trade had become heavily funded and supported by anti-government insurgent groups and illegal paramilitary groups. The insurgents would often attack civilians and many parts of the Colombian countryside are still under guerrilla influence today. The Colombian government has made increasing efforts in recent years to step up control throughout the country; however many militia groups continue to attack civilians. Currently, Colombia is distinguished by a multicultural society with many ethnic groups including Europeans, Africans, Native American, American, Middle Eastern, and Caribbean cultures. This plethora of cultures makes Colombia one of the most intriguing countries in all of South America.