Colombia

Study Abroad

• Global Student Teaching
• ELTAP

Statistics: coming soon

Capital: Largest City: Official Language: Government: President: Declared Independence: Independence Recognized: Area: Percent of Area is Water: Population: Population Density: GDP: GDP Per Capita: Currency: Time Zone: Internet TLD: Calling Code: Major Universities:

Geography

Located in South America, Colombia is bordered by Venezuela, Brazil, Ecuador, Peru, and Panama. Also on the borders of the Pacific Ocean and the Atlantic, it is the only country to do so. Colombia's mainland territory can be divided into four general regions: the Andean highlands, the Caribbean and Pacific lowlands, and the Ilanos and tropical rainforest of eastern Colombia. Colombia also possesses small islands in both Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean. The temperature within Colombia's borders is very striking, from hot to cold depending on where that individual lives. The highest mountain in Colombia is not in the Andes but in the Caribbean plain: Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta with its highest points named Pico Cristobal Colon and Pico Simon Bolivar with both standing at 18,947 ft. The eastern part of Colombia, comprising more than half its territory, is plain and composed by savanna and rainforest, crossed by rivers belonging to the Amazon and Orinoco basins. The northern part, called "Los Llanos" is a savanna region, mostly in the Orinoco basin; the southern part, usually called Amazona, is covered by the Amazon rain forest and belongs mostly to the Amazon basin.

Culture

Due to Economic instability and high unemployment over the last century or so, Colombia has developed a huge rift between two economic classes (Low and High) with an almost nonexistent middle class. While soccer is the national sport, baseball has become a very popular game in recent years; it is especially popular among the people from the coast and is strongly promoted all around the country. Dancing is very popular in Colombia, with dozens of popular vibrant styles. One of the most popular dance style is salsa but Bambuco is also common, as is Cumbia, which originated in the Caribbean Coast, is the national dance; it has become popular throughout Latin America.

History

Spanish explorers made the first exploration of the Caribbean littoral in 1500 led by Rodrigo de Bastidas. In 1525, the first European city in the American Continent was founded, Santa Mara la Antigua del Darin in what is today the Choc Department. Colombia succeeded in 1819, when the territory of the Viceroyalty of New Granada became the Republic of Great Colombia, as a Confederation with Ecuador and Venezuela. Internal political and territorial divisions led to the secession of Venezuela and Quito (today's Ecuador) in 1830. In 1863 the "United States of Colombia" was created, lasting until 1886, when the country finally became known as the Republic of Colombia. Internal divisions remained, occasionally igniting very bloody civil wars. To replace the previous 1886 document, a new constitution was made in 1991, after being drafted by the Constituent Assembly of Colombia. The constitution included key provisions on political, ethnic, human and gender rights, which have been gradually put in practice, though uneven developments, surrounding controversies, and setbacks have persisted. In the late 1990s, President Andrs Pastrana implemented an initiative named Plan Colombia, with the dual goal of ending the armed conflict and promoting a strong anti-narcotic strategy. The most controversial element of the Plan, which also included a smaller number of funds for institutional and alternative development, was considered to be its anti-narcotic strategy, consisting on an increase in aerial fumigations to eradicate coca (a plant used to make cocaine).

Economy

Until 1999, Colombia's economy was rising at an average of 4% in the GDP. In 1999, however, the GDP fell dramatically and Colombia's government spent years working to raise it again. The government's economic policy and its controversial democratic security strategy have engendered a growing sense of confidence in the economy, and GDP growth in 2003 was among the highest in Latin America. Colombia's economy suffers from weak domestic and foreign demand, austere government budgets, and serious internal armed conflicts. Colombia's main exports include manufactured goods, petroleum, coal, and coffee. All imports, exports, and the general trade balance are in record levels, and the inflow of export dollars has resulted in substantial revaluation of the Colombian peso. The problems facing the country range from pension system problems to high unemployment.