Location:
Colombia is the 4th state as surface in South America after Brazil, Argentina and Peru and the 2nd as population after Brazil. It is situated in the north-western part of the South American continent and it has a coast line to the Caribbean Sea in north-west and also to the Pacific Ocean in west. Colombia’s neighbors are Panama in north-west, Ecuador and Peru in south, Brazil in east and Venezuela in east and north-east.
Area/Surface:
1.142.000 km²
Population:
46.400.000 people
Capital:
Bogota 10.764.000 people
Currency:
Colombian Peso
Languages spoken:
Spanish
Religion:
Roman-Catholic
Government form:
Republic, Partial Democracy
Time zone:
-5 hours Greenwich time
Cars:
CO
Calling code:
+57
Colombia
Relief, rivers and agriculture from Colombia:
Colombia is a rich country in all senses, but it has a bad political situation. The relief of the country is varied: in the western part are the three mountain chains of the Andes (the Occidental Cordillera, the Central Cordillera and the Oriental Cordillera). It is also the only South American country to be opened to the both oceans, Pacific and Atlantic. The central and eastern parts of the country are covered with a fertile plain crossed by many of the Orinoco or Amazon’s influents. The highest peak is Cristobal Colon with its 5.775 m height.
The most important river of the country is Magdalena which flows in the Caribbean Sea. The low fertile plains are called Llanos like in Venezuela. A big part of these territories is covered by equatorial forests, but the arable lands involve one third of the population in agriculture. The most important cultures are the ones of coffee, banana, cotton, rice and potatoes. Unfortunately, the political problems last for dozens of years in Colombia.
Climate, resources, name, flora and fauna:
Colombian climate is equatorial with a constant temperature all year round. It changes with the elevation only, like the rainfall volume as well. On the highest peaks of the Andes, the snow is permanently and the climate is cold with frequently temperatures below freezing. The territory covered by jungle is home for thousands of species of flora and fauna, because here were identified more than 130.000 species of plants. (Find more journeys on blog.worldlifetimejourneys.com) Not to forget is the jaguar, the bespectacled bear, the ocelot, the tapir, many species of monkeys, thousands of species of birds and many others.
The permanent deforestation is a real problem in Colombia because annually dissapear tens of thousands of hectares of equatorial forests home for many species of plants and animals. The country has important mineral resources like copper, plumb or mercury, but also emeralds or fossil combustibles like coal and oil which bring important earnings annually. The name of the country comes from Christopher Columbus, the America’s discoverer. Visit Colombia!
Marine landscape in Colombia
