Colombia: From Simon Bolivar to FARC in the Andean Country
The Republic of Colombia with its capital Bogotá has a long and illustrious past going back to the Incan Civilisation, which explains its high cultural heterogeneity. Colombia traces its name to Christopher Columbus who visited the country in 1502 and later on the Spanish colonised it. Simón Bolívar and Francisco de Paula Santander played a leading role in freeing Colombians of the Spanish yoke and Simon Bolivar became Colombia’s first President and Santander became the second. Colombia has had a troubled past with constant fighting between the left wing FARC, the right-wing paramilitary groups and the Government forces. These non-state groups have thrived largely on account of widespread drug trafficking, kidnapping and extortion rackets run by different mafias in the country.
Colombiana Quick Facts:
· National Name: República de ColombiaGeoghraphy and Climate of Colombia:
Colombia, South America’s 4th largest country borders Brazil and Venezuela in the east and by Ecuador and Peru in the south. It has unique location in that it is the only South American country to border both the Pacific and the Atlantic Oceans. The imposing Andes mountains dominate the Colombian landscape and consist of Volcanic branches or cordilleras on which famous Colombian cities like Cali, Medellin, Bogota and Cucuta are situated. To the north are situated major Colombian port cities of Cartagena and Barranquilla and east of the Andes lies the Savanna lowlands. To the southeast lie the Amazon rainforests, as a result of this mind-boggling diversity, Colombia is part of the 17 mega-diverse countries.
Colombia has a largely tropical climate being located close to the Equator and the weather is also influenced by the El Nino and La Nina phenomena.
Economy of Colombia:
Colombia is a fairly robust South-American economy owing to abundance of natural resources like Petroleum, Coal and Coffee. However, Colombia also has the dubious record as one of the highest exporters of illegal drugs, on which a number of drug cartels thrive. Colombia has enjoyed relatively low inflation over the past few years.
Culture of Colombia:
Colombians display cultural influences from Spain, America, Europe, Caribbean and Africa owing to Colombia’s unique location. Colombianos have strong regional affinities owing to the relative isolation of different regions from each other. The Bogotanos, the paisas of Antioquia and central highland residents display great variation in their dress, music, food and accent.
Colombia has a well-developed sports scenario and has produced many football and racing personalities like Freddy Rincon, Juan Pablo Montoya. Apart from this Colombia is also home to famous artists like the Nobel Laureate Gabriel Garcia Marquez, the singer Shakira and actors like Sofia Vergara among many others.
Tourist Attractions of Colombia:
Colombia offers a heady mix of Carnivals, Museums, Festivals and beautiful Scenery to the tourist visiting this beautiful country. The Bogota Festival, Cali’s Fair, the Barranquilla’s Carnival are just some of the Colombian festivals to be relished. Travellers may also enjoy the fine cruise along the cities of Cartagena and Santa Marta. Apart from this other Colombians sites to visit include:
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