South America > Colombia > People, Geography and History

This information is current as of Thursday, January 8, 2009 - 11:00:10 COLOMBIA August 07, 2008 This Travel Warning updates and reminds American citizens of ongoing security concerns in Colombia. The Department of State continues to warn U.S. citizens of the dangers of travel to Colombia. While security in Colombia has improved significantly in recent years, violence by narco-terrorist groups continues to affect some rural areas and cities. The potential for violence by terrorists and other criminal elements exists in all ... Read this Article

Global Cost of Living Rank

Location: Cartagena
Rank: 90 of 1082 monitored. Click for Detail

CIA Background Information

Colombia was one of the three countries that emerged from the collapse of Gran Colombia in 1830 (the others are Ecuador and Venezuela). A 40-year conflict between government forces and anti-government insurgent groups and illegal paramilitary groups - both heavily funded by the drug trade - escalated during the 1990s. The insurgents lack the military or popular support necessary to overthrow the government, and violence has been decreasing since about 2002, but insurgents continue attacks against civilians and large swaths of the countryside are under guerrilla influence. More than 32,000 former paramilitaries had demobilized by the end of 2006 and the United Self Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC) as a formal organization had ceased to function. Still, some renegades continued to engage in criminal activities. 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. However, neighboring countries worry about the violence spilling over their borders.

U.S. State Department Description

Country Description: Colombia is a medium-income nation of some 44 million inhabitants. Its geography is very diverse, ranging from tropical coastal areas and rainforests to rugged mountainous terrain. Tourist facilities in Colombia vary in quality and safety, according to price and location. Security is a significant concern for travelers, as described in the Department of State’s Travel Warning for Colombia. Read the Department of State Background Notes on Colombia for additional information. ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: All U.S. citizens who are not also Colombian citizens must present a valid U.S. passport to enter ... Read this Article

About the People

People Nationality: Noun and adjective--Colombian(s). Population (July 2007): 44.38 million. Annual population growth: 1.4%. Religion: Roman Catholic 90%. Language: Spanish. Education: Years compulsory--9. Attendance--80% of children enter school. Only 5 years of primary school are offered in many rural areas. Literacy--93% in urban areas, 67% in rural areas. Health: Infant mortality rate--25/1,000. Life expectancy--total population 72.27 ... Read this Article

Statistics at a Glance

Location: Colombia is Northern South America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Panama and Venezuela, and bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between Ecuador and Panama See Map

Capital: name: Bogota
geographic coordinates: 4 36 N, 74 05 W
time difference: UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Currency (Code): Colombian peso (COP) ...More

Area: total: 1,138,910 sq km , land: 1,038,700 sq km , water: 100,210 sq km , note: includes Isla de Malpelo, Roncador Cay, and Serrana Bank ( 1 sq km is approximately 0.4 sq miles or 250 acres)

Area Comparison: slightly less than twice the size of Texas

Elevation Extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m , highest point: Pico Cristobal Colon 5,775 m , note: nearby Pico Simon Bolivar also has the same elevation (1 meter = 3.28 feet)

Population: 45,013,672 (July 2008 est.)

Unemployment: 11.2% (2007 est.)

Ethnic Groups: mestizo 58%, white 20%, mulatto 14%, black 4%, mixed black-Amerindian 3%, Amerindian 1%

Religion: Roman Catholic 90%, other 10%

Languages: Spanish

More Statistics

History

History AND POLITICAL CONDITIONS During the pre-Columbian period, the area now known as Colombia was inhabited by indigenous societies situated at different stages of socio-economic development, ranging from hunters and nomadic farmers to the highly structured Chibchas, who are considered to be one of the most developed indigenous groups in ... Read this Article

Geographic Info for Colombia :

Geography Area: 1.14 million sq. km. (440,000 sq. mi.); about the size of California and Texas combined; fourth-largest country in South America. Cities: Capital--Bogota (pop. 2005 projected: 7.1 million). Other major cities include Medellin, Cali, Barranquilla and Cartagena. Terrain: Flat coastal areas, with extensive coastlines on the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea, three rugged ... Read this Article

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