Country Information on Colombia 

Terrain

Colombia's main topographical feature is the Andes mountain range, which almost extends across the entire length of Colombia, from north to south and from the central area to the west. The Andes are divided into three ranges which run parallel to each other. East of the eastern range there are extensive and sparsely populated tropical lowlands, which have only been partly explored. The south of the country is covered with rainforests and many rivers, including the Caquetá, which all flow into the Amazon River basin.

Climate

Even though most of Colombia is situated in an area with a hot climate, temperatures vary according to altitude. The low-lying regions along the coast and the deep valleys of the Magdalena and Patía Rivers have high temperatures throughout the year, with an annual average of 24° to 27° C. From around 3,000 m the climate ranges from cool to cold, between -18 and +13°C. Rainy seasons and dry seasons alternate every three months. The Pacific Coast has a high rate of precipitation.

Fauna/Flora

Mangroves and coconut palms grow along the Caribbean coast. The country's forest regions contain trees that can be used commercially such as mahogany, oak, walnut, cedar, pine, and different types of balsa trees. Tropical plants also yield rubber, chicle, cinchona, vanilla, sarsaparilla, ginger, gum copal, ipecac, tonka beans, and castor oil.

Among the wildlife are the larger South American mammals, such as jaguars, pumas, tapirs, peccaries, anteaters, sloths, opossums, and several species of monkey and red deer. Caymans, once numerous along the principal rivers, have been intensively hunted and are therefore becoming scarce. Many species of snake live in the tropical regions.

The indigenous bird-life includes condors, vultures, toucans, parrots, cockatoos, cranes, storks, and humming birds. Colombia has some fertile low-lying plains; however, only 5% of the country's total area is used for agriculture. Exhausted soils and erosion are the result of slash-and-burn, which causes problems in agricultural development.

History/Politics

The best known pre-Columbian indigenous culture was that of the Chibcha people (or "Muisca", as they called themselves). Their territory extended from the north of present-day Colombia to Panama, and their culture is known for its outstanding agricultural and mining practices. The first Spanish conquerors reached the area around Darién in 1510. They founded the first permanent Spanish settlement on American mainland there. The Viceroy of New Granada declared independence from Spain in 1813 and full independence was gained in 1819, when the Congress of Angostura proclaimed it the state of Gran Colombia, comprising the former New Granada, today's Panama, Venezuela, and Ecuador.

The history of the country since then has been largely a record of the bloody struggle for political power between the liberals and conservatives. Arguments about political and social issues often centred on property, the legal status and the privileges of the Catholic Church. From 1876 to 1930, the Conservatives maintained control. The period after World War II saw a severe political crisis, resulting from the increasing antagonism between the liberal and the conservative camps.

During the 1960s, harsh social conditions in Colombia were a breeding ground for guerrilla groups that have dominated politics ever since. In February 1998, the government signed a preliminary peace treaty with the country's second largest guerrilla organization, the National Liberation Army (ELN). In this treaty both sides agreed to resume peace talks and to develop a long-term peace plan in June 1998 following the election of a new parliament on 9 March and president in June.

The largest guerrilla movement, however, the Revolutionary Forces of Colombia (FARC), proved once again unprepared to negotiate and refused the invitation to talks with President Samper. In the parliamentary elections in March 1998, the Liberal Party emerged as the leading party, but just missed out on an absolute majority. In 1998 Andrés Pastrana succeeded President Samper, who was in turn succeeded by Alvaro Uribe in 2002.

Economy

27% of the Colombian work force is employed in agriculture, forestry, and fishing, with another 27% working in manufacturing and mining. The remainder are employed in the services sector. Despite rapid industrial growth in recent years, Colombia is primarily an agricultural country, with an economy that traditionally depends on coffee. New oil reserves discovered in the mid-nineties are expected to provide Colombia with energy well into the 21st century. The country is wealthy in coal, it is South America's leading gold producer. It has the largest platinum deposits in the world, and about one half of the world's emerald deposits are located there. The inflation rate reached 6.1% in 2003 and the unemployment rate was 14.4%.

Culture

The best preserved legacy of pre-Columbian cultures is their earthenware production, which started in Colombia or Ecuador and is presumed to have replaced baskets and receptacles made from gourds. Pots and clay objects modelled and pressed by hand were the most common. They were decorated with carved ornaments, or with a cut or hand-pressed relief. In addition, several painting and polishing techniques were known. Although multicoloured ceramics can be found, most of the earthenware is painted in two colours or is untreated. Gold work used to be one of the most important art forms in Colombia.

Distinguished Colombian writers include the 19th-century novelist Jorge Isaacs, the 20th-century poet Germán Pardó García, and above all the 20th-century novelist and Nobel Prize winner Gabriel García Márquez. Colombia has a rich tradition of folk music and dance, most of which reveals African influences using instruments which can be traced back to indigenous Colombian peoples. The bambuco is its national dance.