Colombia Country Profile


 Geography: Colombia is the fourth largest country in South America (after Argentina, Brazil and Peru). The country is surrounded by Brazil, Ecuador, Panama, Peru and Venezuela, as well as by the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, the only country in South America with coasts in both bodies of water.

Colombia is divided into six natural regions: the Amazon, the Andean, the Caribbean, the Insular region, the Orinoquía and the Pacific. These six regions vary in climate, elevation, and landscapes, giving dramatic contrasts between lowlands with a warm, humid tropical climate and high, dry and cold regions with peaks and valleys. In fact, the abundance of important and unique ecosystems has elevated the country as one of the most active and diverse biodiversity centers in the world.

The capital and largest city of Colombia, Bogota, is located at 2,640 (8,660 feet) above sea level, the second highest capital in the world after La Paz, Bolivia.

Demography: Colombia has an estimated population of over 47 million people, making it the third most populous country in Latin America (after Brazil and Mexico). The average age in Colombia is 30 years old, with the majority of the population being between 25 and 54 years old.

Languages: Although Colombia recognizes 68 different languages, most of these being native languages, Spanish is the only language for official use.

Culture: Colombian culture is just as diverse as its people and geography as it is a mixture of cultures from Europe, indigenous peoples and afro descendants.

Music plays an important role in the Colombian culture. Cumbia and vallenato, two music genres influenced by African, Native and European sounds, are enjoyed nationally by many Colombians. These styles of music have also inspired Colombian artists recognized worldwide such as Shakira, Juanes and Carlos Vives.

The Colombian culture has also been represented by other individuals such as Gabriel García Márquez, one of the most famous authors of Colombia, and Fernando Botero who is known for his unique style in the visual arts.

Economy: The service sector is the largest component of Colombia’s GDP with 59.2%, followed by the industrial sector with 34%, and the agricultural sector with 6.8%. In recent years, the exportation of non-traditional products has grown dynamically, accounting for more than 53% of Colombian global exports. Some of the products for export include oil, coal, coffee, flowers and gold.

Science, Technology and Innovation: Under the Government of the current President, Juan Manuel Santos, Colombia has set to become the third most innovative country of Latin America by 2025. To achieve this goal, the Congress of the Republic of Colombia has designated a budget of $ 339,000 million COP for the year 2018, reflecting a significant increase in the annual budget directed for science, technology and innovation projects and research.

According to the Global Innovation Index published every year by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), Colombia advanced four positions between the years 2016 and 2017, from 67 to 63. Similarly, in the group of the 34 emerging economies, it went from position 18 to 14. Currently Colombia ranks as the fifth most innovative country in Latin America and the Caribbean, above countries like Panama, Brazil and Argentina.

Currency: The Colombian peso is the legal currency in Colombia (COP). Currently, $ 1 USD equals $ 3,000 COP.

Climate: Colombia only has two seasons: dry and rainy. The dry season runs from October through April and the rainy season runs from mid-May to mid-October.