Location: Colombia occupies the northwestern end of South America,
bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Panama and Venezuela, and bordering
the North Pacific Ocean, between Ecuador and Panama. It's the only
country in South America with coast-lines on both the Pacific (1,350 km
long), and the Atlantic (1600 km long) -- 4 35' 56" N, 74 04' 51" W.
Total Area:
1,141,748 sq km (440,831 sq mi). It is the fourth largest country in
South America.
Climate: Tropical along coast and eastern plains; cooler and cold in highlands.
Elevation is the decisive climatic factor.
Terrain: Flat coastal lowlands, central highlands, high Andes Mountains,
eastern lowland plains (a huge open savannah on the north, and the amazon
in the south).
Mountains: Three Andean ranges run north and south through the western half of
the country. They dominate the western two-fifths of the country.
Highest point:
Cristobal Colon Peak 5,775 m (18,947 ft).
Major rivers: The major rivers, the Cauca and Magdalena, run through the valleys on
either side of the central Andean range (Cordillera Central).
Islands: Archipelago of San Andres and Providencia in the Caribbean Sea, the
Islas del Rosario and San Bernardo along the Caribbean coast,and Gorgona
and Malpelo in the Pacific Ocean.
Population:
40,500,000 (September 2000 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.7% (1999 est.)
Density:
33.5 persons per sq km.
Distribution
70% urban, 30% rural
Life expectancy at birth:
Total population:
73 years
male:
70 years
female:
76 years
Ethnic divisions:
mestizo 58%, white 20%, mulatto 14%, black 4%, mixed black-Indian 3%, Indian 1%
Religions:
Roman Catholic 94%
Languages:
Spanish. In the islands of San Andres and Providencia English is also spoken.
Literacy total population:
91.3% of adult population
Official Name of country:
Republic of Colombia
Type of government:
Republic; executive branch dominates government structure.
Legislative branch:
Bicameral Congress consists of the Senate and House of Representatives
Chief of State and Head of government:
President - Alvaro Uribe Vélez (2002-2006)
Capital:
Santafe de Bogota, D.C. -- Population: 6,800,000
Major cities:
Medellin, Cali, Barranquilla, Cartagena, Bucaramanga
Administrative divisions: 32 departments and 1 capital district*; Amazonas, Antioquia, Arauca,
Atlantico, Bolivar, Boyaca, Caldas, Caqueta, Casanare, Cauca, Cesar,
Choco, Cordoba, Cundinamarca, Guainia, Guaviare, Huila, La Guajira,
Magdalena, Meta, Narino, Norte de Santander, Putumayo, Quindio, Risaralda,
San Andres y Providencia, Santafe de Bogota*, Santander, Sucre, Tolima, Valle
del Cauca, Vaupes, Vichada
Principal national holidays:
Independence Day, 20 July (1810). Battle of Boyaca, August 7
Transport: Airports: 74. International airports: 7. Roads: 115,000 km total.
Railroads: 3,386 km total. Major ports: 7.
Overview: Colombia had enjoyed one of the Latin America's most consistent record
of growth over the last several decades. Growth rates remain high by Latin
American standards. Gross domestic product (GDP) had expanded every year
for more than 25 years, and unlike many other South American countries,
Colombia did not default on any of its official debts during the "
lost decade" of the 1980s. Since 1990, when Bogota introduced a
comprehensive reform program that opened the economy to foreign trade and
investment, GDP growth averaged more than 4% annually until 1997. The
rapid development of oil, coal, and other non-traditional industries in
recent years helped to offset the decline in coffee prices, Colombia's
major export. After 1997 the economy slowed down and by 1998 GDP growth
was only 0.7% In 1999, Colombia had its first recession in seventy years.
The Economy drop by 4.5% with unemployment at even levels of 20%. The
year 2000 has seen the beginning of an economical recovery.
Gross Domestic Product
US$88 billion
Gross Domestic Product composition by sector: Government: 20.5% -- Manufacturing: 13.8% -- Agriculture: 14.9% --
Financial Services: 17.9% -- Commerce; 11.9% -- Transportation and
Communication Services: 8.5% -- Mining and Quarrying: 4.9% -- Construction
and Public Works: 4.4% -- Electricity, Gas and Water: 3.2%
National Product per Capita: US$2,000
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
10% (2000 est)
Labor force:
14.2 million
Industries: Textiles, food processing, oil, clothing and footwear, beverages,
chemicals, metal products, cement; mining - gold, coal, emeralds, iron,
nickel, silver, salt.
Industrial production growth rate:
3% (2000 est)
Agriculture: Coffee, cut flowers, bananas, rice, tobacco, corn, sugar cane, cocoa
beans, oilseed, vegetables; forest products; shrimp farming
Natural resources:
Petroleum, natural gas, coal, gold, emeralds, platinum, iron ore, nickel,
copper.
Exports:
US$ 12.5 billion
Commodities:
Petroleum, coffee, coal, bananas, fresh cut flowers, ferro-nickel,
chemical and pharmaceuticals, textiles and garments, gold, sugar, printed
matter, cement, emeralds
Partners:
US 39%, EC 25.7%, Japan 2.9%, Venezuela 8.5%
Imports:
$11.5 billion
commodities:
Industrial equipment, transportation equipment, consumer goods, chemicals,
paper products, oil and gas industry equipment, and supplies
Principal partners: United States 36%, European Community 18%, Japan 8.7%, Venezuela 6.5%,
Brazil 4% (1992)
External Debt:
US$34.5 billion (1999)
International Reserve:
US$8.5 billion
Local Currency:
1 Colombian peso (Col$) = 100 centavos
Exchange rates:
Colombian pesos (Col$) per US$1 - 2,370 (May 2.001)
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