Colombia Guide and Resources

Check for available hotels in Colombia

Location
Northern South America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Panama and Venezuela, and bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between Ecuador and Panama

Size Comparison To U.S-located Area
slightly less than three times the size of Montana

Geographic Coordinates
4 00 N, 72 00 W

Capital
Bogota

Nationality
Colombian(s)

Currency
Colombian peso (COP)

Languages Spoken
Spanish

Population
41,008,227 (July 2002 est.)

Total Population Ratio Based On Gender
0.97 male(s)/female (2002 est.)

Migrant Ratio
-0.32 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2002 est.)

Ethnic Groups
mestizo 58%, white 20%, mulatto 14%, black 4%, mixed black-Amerindian 3%, Amerindian 1%

Religion Demographics
Roman Catholic 90%

Geographic Areas
Total :: 1,138,910 sq km
Land :: 1,038,700 sq km
Water :: 100,210 sq km
Coastline :: 3,208 km (Caribbean Sea 1,760 km, North Pacific Ocean 1,448 km)

Bordered By
Brazil, Ecuador, Panama, Peru, Venezuela

Argentina Climate
tropical along coast and eastern plains; cooler in highlands

Terrain
flat coastal lowlands, central highlands, high Andes Mountains, eastern lowland plains

Natural Resources
petroleum, natural gas, coal, iron ore, nickel, gold, copper, emeralds, hydropower

Natural Hazards
highlands subject to volcanic eruptions; occasional earthquakes; periodic droughts

Brief Geography Notes
only South American country with coastlines on both North Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea

Government
republic

Administrative Districts
32 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento) and 1 capital district (distrito capital)