Country Information Colombia
Location | ||
Colombia covers a Land area of 1.141.748 sq. km. and its maritime area is 928,660 km2. It borders in the North on the Caribbean, in the West on Panama and the Pacific Ocean, in the South on Ecuador and Peru, in the Southeast on Brazil and in the East on Venezuela. The maritime boundaries are Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, Jamaica, Dominican Republic and Haiti. |
Population | ||
Approximately 48 million inhabitants including Pre-Colombian Natives, Europeans, Africans and Arabs, which makes Colombia a multicultural nation today. |
Capital | ||
Bogotá D.C. |
Politics & Economy | ||
The Republic of Colombia is a unitary, democratic, participatory and pluralistic state with separation of powers. The President is elected by popular vote for a four-year period. It is divided into 32 departments and Bogotá is the Capital District. Colombia has six major regions: Andean, Caribbean, Pacific, Orinoquia, Amazonia and Insular. It is the third largest economy in South America and is very rich in natural resources. Its main exports include petroleum, coal, coffee, flowers and other agricultural products, emeralds and gold. The tourism industry is developing fast and getting more and more important for the country's economy. |
Currency | ||
Colombian Peso |
Language | ||
Spanish is the official language. Moreover there is a total of 65 languages of indigenous peoples, the two native languages spoken by the Community of San Basilio de Palenque and the raizales from the archipelago of San Andres and Providencia as well as the Rom language. |
Time Difference | ||
+ 5 hours GMT |
Voltage | ||
110V alternating current, it is recommendable to bring a multi-adapter |
Public Holiday | ||
01. and 08. January; 19., 29. and 30. March; 01. and 14. May; 04. and 11. June; 02. and 20. July, 07. and 20. August; 15. Oktober; 5. and 12. November; 08. and 25. December |
Opening hours | ||
Shops are generally open from 9:00 am – 7:00 pm, supermarkets and shopping malls often till 8 pm or 09:00. Banks open from Monday to Friday from 10:00 am to 4.00 pm. |
Climate | ||
Colombia has a variety of climates according to the altitudes: Hot areas: Below 1000 m (3280 ft) average temperatures of 28°C-35°C (82-95°F) In this area are: The Pacific Region, the Caribbean islands San Andres & Providencia, Cartagena, Santa Marta, Mompox, Cali, Neiva and Leticia. Temperate areas: Between 1000-2300 m (3280-7545 ft) average temperatures of 23°C-26°C (73-79°F). In this area are: Villa de Leyva, Barichara, Medellin, Pereira, Armenia, Manizales, Popayan, San Agustin Cool areas: Between 2300-3500 m (7545-11480 ft) average temperatures of 8°C-18°C (46-64°F). In this area are: Bogota, Zipaquirá, Tunja, Pasto, Ipiales Snowcapped mountains: Are found from 4700 m (15420 ft) up. In the mountains, temperature changes all the time: in the morning cold, at noon up to 20° C (68°F), at night very cold. Temperatures are between -18°C and +20°C (-0.4 and +68°F). |
Best time to travel |
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October till March, in the subtropical regions from May till September. |
Clothing | ||
The perfect outfit depends on the destination: visitors should use regular outdoor wear, protecting against the wind and rain; visitors at the coast and of the tropical regions should use summer clothes, in the temperate areas one should be prepared for the changes of temperature from day to night. In the bigger cities it is recommendable to wear more formal clothes, especially when visiting fine restaurants or events. |
Tourist Destinations |
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Bogotá | Gold Museum and the historical part "La Candelaria" | |
Zipaquirá | underground Salt Cathedral | |
Cartagena | the walled city, National Park of the Rosario Islands, Mucura Island |
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Santa Marta |
the National Park Tayrona and the lost city in the Sierra Nevada |
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Peninsula La Guajira |
the Caribbean desert | |
Chicamocha |
National Park | |
San Agustin / Tierradentro | archeological highlights | |
Medellin | Sculptures of Fernando Botero, Cathedral, Zona Rosa, botanical garden, Museo de Antioquia | |
Coffee Triangle | Manizales, Pereira, Armenia | |
Cali | Salsa town |
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Leticia |
port of the Colombian, Peruvian and Brazilian Amazon |
Flora & Fauna | ||
National bird: Andean condor, the largest flying bird, it makes part of the Shield of Colombia, representing the glories of the country. Colombia has green hilly landscapes with numerous waterfalls and ravines as well as Paramo landscapes, volcanic mountains and desert areas. |
Food & Drink | ||
The most popular dishes of Colombia's cuisine, influenced heavily by the Spanish and Indigenous populations are Ajiaco, Bandeja Paisa and Arecos. |
Souvenirs | ||
Leather goods, craft industry (pottery, masks and cloth, wall hangings and bags) and replicas of the Gold Museum are the most liked souvenirs. |