The Republic of Colombia, the 26th largest country in the world and the 4th largest country in South America is located in the north of South America, bordering Venezuela and Brazil to the east, Ecuador and Peru to the south, and Panama to the northwest. Colombia shares its maritime border with Jamaica, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Honduras, Nicaragua and Costa Rica. The land is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean through the Caribbean Sea to the north, and the Pacific Ocean to the west. Bogotá (4 36 N, 74 05 W) is the capital city.
HISTORY:- The land was known as New Granada. European contact was established in 1510, when Spaniards first settled in the region. New Granada was colonized in 1538. Though many rebels and mutinies were broken out during the upliftment of Spanish Empire in the region, they were discarded. The last rebellion in 1810, switched over the situation. Simón Bolívar and Francisco de Paula Santander were the two leader of the rebellion. New Granada became the Republic of Greater Colombia. Bolívar became the President. Colombia, Venezuela, Panama, and Ecuador were merged to form the republic. But Venezuela and Ecuador were lost in 1830. Vice president, Francisco de Paula Santander became the President in 1832. In 1840, civil war broke out. After much political instability, in 1861, the country became the United States of New Granada, in 1863 it became the United States of Colombia and in 1885 it became the Republic of Colombia. 1899 civil war resulted in the losing of Panama. The Conservatives reigned until 1930 when the Liberal Party came in power. Later years were marked by the violence caused by the rivalries of the two leading political parties: Colombian Conservative Party and Colombian Liberal Party. A National Front was established by both the parties to govern the country jointly.
GEOGRAPHY:- Colombia is located at 4 00 N, 72 00 W in Northern South America. The total land area of the country is 1,038,700 sq km. The inland water sources are Isla de Malpelo, Roncador Cay, and Serrana Bank which occupy total 100,210 sq km. The lowest point is Pacific Ocean (0 m) and the highest point is Pico Cristobal Colon (5,775m). Colombia has flat coastal lowlands, central highlands, high Andes Mountains, and eastern lowland plains.
CLIMATE:- The climate of Colombia ranges from tropical along the coasts and eastern plains to comparatively cooler climate in the highlands.
GOVERNMENT:- Presidential republic reigns in Colombia. The constitution was adopted on 5th July 1991 and was amended several times. The legal system is based on the Spanish law. The three branches of the government are:
Executive branch comprises the President (chief of state, head of government), and cabinet. Cabinet ministers are elected from the three largest parties- the PSUN, PC, and CR, for supporting the President in his reelection.
Legislative branch comprises the bicameral Congress which again consists of the Senate (102 seats), the House of Representatives (166 seats).
Judicial branch comprises the Supreme Court, Constitutional Court, Council of State, and Superior Judicial Council.
Prominent political parties are Conservative Party of Colombia, Liberal, National Unity, Radical Change, Alternative Democratic Pole. Suffrage is universal at 18.
Executive branch comprises the President (chief of state, head of government), and cabinet. Cabinet ministers are elected from the three largest parties- the PSUN, PC, and CR, for supporting the President in his reelection.
Legislative branch comprises the bicameral Congress which again consists of the Senate (102 seats), the House of Representatives (166 seats).
Judicial branch comprises the Supreme Court, Constitutional Court, Council of State, and Superior Judicial Council.
Prominent political parties are Conservative Party of Colombia, Liberal, National Unity, Radical Change, Alternative Democratic Pole. Suffrage is universal at 18.
President Álvaro Uribe Velez
Vice President Francisco Santos
President of Congress Nancy Gutiérrez
President of the Supreme Court César Valencia
Vice President Francisco Santos
President of Congress Nancy Gutiérrez
President of the Supreme Court César Valencia
ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISIONS:- Colombia is divided into 32 departments and 1 Capital district. These districts are further sub-divided into several municipalities.
CULTURE:- Colombia is a multicultural nation, having influences of European, African, Native American, American, Middle Eastern, Mexico and Caribbean cultures. Cumbia and Vallenato are two traditional music genres of the country. Some widely celebrated festivals are Ibero-American Theater Festival, Barranquilla's Carnival, Carnival of Blacks and Whites, Independence day, Holy Week and Christmas. Gabriel Garcia Marquez has won the Nobel Prize in literature. Football is the most popular sport. Spanish, Italian and French influences are prominent in the Cuisine of Colombia.
ECONOMY:- Colombia has steady economic growth for the past 5 years. The constraints that slow down the growth are the pension problem, drug dealing, and high unemployment.
GDP/PPP (2006 est.): $374.4 billion; per capita $8,600.
GDP/PPP (2006 est.): $374.4 billion; per capita $8,600.
Real growth rate: 6.8%.
Inflation: 4.3%.
Unemployment: 11.1%.
Arable land: 2%.
Agriculture: coffee, cut flowers, bananas, rice, tobacco, corn, sugarcane, cocoa beans, oilseed, vegetables; forest products; shrimp.
Labor force: 20.81 million (2006); agriculture 22.7%, industry 18.7%, services 58.5% (2000 est.).
Industries: textiles, food processing, oil, clothing and footwear, beverages, chemicals, cement; gold, coal, emeralds.
Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, coal, iron ore, nickel, gold, copper, emeralds, hydropower.
Budget:
Revenues: $63.69 billion
Expenditures: $64.96 billion
Revenues: $63.69 billion
Expenditures: $64.96 billion
Debt - external: $41.16 billion (30 June 2007)
Public debt: 53.5% of GDP (2007 est.)
Exports: $24.86 billion f.o.b. (2006 est.): petroleum, coffee, coal, apparel, bananas, cut flowers.
Imports: $24.33 billion f.o.b. (2006 est.): industrial equipment, transportation equipment, consumer goods, chemicals, paper products, fuels, electricity.
Major trading partners: U.S., Venezuela, Ecuador, China, Mexico, Brazil (2004).
Monetary unit: Colombian Peso
LANGUAGE:- Spanish is the official language.
CITIES:- Capital Santafé de Bogotá is the largest city. Other important cities are Medellin, Cali, Barranquilla and Cartagena.
POPULATION:- Colombia has the 3rd largest population in Latin America. Colombia has an estimated population of 44,227,550 with a growth rate of 1.4%.
Density per sq mi: 110
Literacy rate: 92.8% (2004 est.)
Density per sq mi: 110
Literacy rate: 92.8% (2004 est.)
RACE:-
Mestizo 58%
White 20%
Mulatto 14%
Black 4%
Mixed black-Amerindian 3%
Amerindian 1%
Mestizo 58%
White 20%
Mulatto 14%
Black 4%
Mixed black-Amerindian 3%
Amerindian 1%
RELIGION:-
Roman Catholic 90%
Other 10%
Roman Catholic 90%
Other 10%
HEALTH:-
Birth rate: 19.86 births/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Death rate: 5.54 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Infant mortality rate: total: 19.51 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 72.54 years
Total fertility rate: 2.49 children born/woman (2008 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths: 3,600 (2003 est.)
Total expenditure on health per capita (Intl $, 2005): 581
Birth rate: 19.86 births/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Death rate: 5.54 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Infant mortality rate: total: 19.51 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 72.54 years
Total fertility rate: 2.49 children born/woman (2008 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths: 3,600 (2003 est.)
Total expenditure on health per capita (Intl $, 2005): 581
UNICEF:- UNICEF and its partners distributed food supplements, hygiene kits, schools and shelter to violence-affected people. For the conflict-distressed children, UNICEF builds schools to promote ‘School Going to the Child’ campaign, and trains hundreds of teachers to support them psychologically. It also promotes safe drinking water with 243 municipalities. UNICEF tries to bring back thousands of Child soldiers to their families. Over 37,000 newborns got their birth certificates with the help of UNICEF. The National Congress introduced the first law to protect the children rights. Vaccination coverage is completed almost 90%. Mine-risk education has been provided to the children.
TRANSPORTATION:-
Railways: total: 3,304 km (2004).
Highways: total: 112,998 km; paved: 26,000 km; unpaved: 84,000 km (2000). Waterways: 9,187 km (2004).
Ports and harbors: Barranquilla, Buenaventura, Cartagena, Muelles El Bosque, Puerto Bolivar, Santa Marta, Turbo.
Airports: 984 (2006 est.).
Railways: total: 3,304 km (2004).
Highways: total: 112,998 km; paved: 26,000 km; unpaved: 84,000 km (2000). Waterways: 9,187 km (2004).
Ports and harbors: Barranquilla, Buenaventura, Cartagena, Muelles El Bosque, Puerto Bolivar, Santa Marta, Turbo.
Airports: 984 (2006 est.).
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