{"id":103,"date":"2020-10-03T20:27:36","date_gmt":"2020-10-04T01:27:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/millennialroad.com\/?page_id=103"},"modified":"2022-04-28T15:34:40","modified_gmt":"2022-04-28T20:34:40","slug":"colombia","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/millennialroad.com\/colombia\/","title":{"rendered":"Colombia"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Colombia<\/strong><\/h1>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Colombia, officially known as the Republic of Colombia<\/strong>, is a wonderfully diverse country which sits at the top of South America. It is the fourth largest country in South America, said to contain 10% of the entire planet’s biodiversity, and it was our first stop after leaving the U.S. on our world trip<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Click on a post below to read about our adventures in Colombia!<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n

\"Cartagena\"<\/a><\/div>

Authentic Cartagena: Bazurto Market & More<\/a><\/h3>
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\"Totumo<\/a><\/div>

“Bathing” at Totumo Mud Volcano<\/a><\/h3>
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\"Comuna<\/a><\/div>

Comuna 13: A Symbol of Hope for Medell\u00edn<\/a><\/h3>
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\"Paragliding<\/a><\/div>

Paragliding Medell\u00edn<\/a><\/h3>
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\"Salento\"<\/a><\/div>

A Taste of the Coffee Triangle in Salento<\/a><\/h3>
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\"Cocora<\/a><\/div>

Hiking Cocora Valley<\/a><\/h3>
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\"Salento\"<\/a><\/div>

Mountain Biking Salento<\/a><\/h3>
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Understand<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Colombia History & Facts<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Colombia emerged from the dissolution of Gran Colombia in 1830<\/strong> alongside Venezuela and Ecuador. More recently, decades of violent conflict between the Colombian government and antigovernment groups funded by drug trade has resulted in a humanitarian crisis for millions of civilians caught up in the conflict. However, a peace accord signed in 2016<\/a> marks the formal end to the conflict and aims to move the country forward toward a peaceful future. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Total Area<\/td>439,735 sq mi (91% land, 9% water)<\/td><\/tr>
Natural Resources<\/td>petroleum, natural gas, coal, iron ore, nickel,
gold, copper, emeralds, hydropower<\/td><\/tr>
Population<\/td>49.1 million (July 2020 est.)<\/td><\/tr>
Language<\/td>Spanish (official)<\/td><\/tr>
Literacy<\/td>95.1% (2018)<\/td><\/tr>
Government Type<\/td>presidential republic<\/td><\/tr>
Flag <\/td>\"Colombia<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Colombia Cities & Regions <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Colombia is situated in the northern portion of South America<\/strong>, bordering the Pacific Ocean between Panama and Ecuador, and bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Venezuela and Panama. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The capital of Colombia is Bogot\u00e1,<\/strong> a large city of over 8 million people situated up in the Andean mountain range. Here you can find excellent dining, world-class museums, interesting history and the melting pot of culture you would expect out of a big city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Medell\u00edn<\/strong> is a city with a mixed past but bright future. It is the second largest city in Colombia with a population of nearly 3 million residents, and it is known as the \u201cCity of eternal spring\u201d due to its remarkably pleasant climate. In the late 20th century, it was thought to be one of the most dangerous cities in the world as it was the home of the drug lord Pablo Escobar and the Medell\u00edn Cartel. However, residents have worked hard to move forward from this violent past and more recently the city is known for its innovations in urban living policies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Along the Caribbean coast, some of the major cities include Cartagena, Santa Marta and Barranquilla. Cartagena<\/strong> is a popular tourist destination thanks to its interesting history and being an important port for cruise ships. The colonial architecture is a defining feature of Cartagena, and it creates a stunning contrast with the modern skyscrapers which have built up around the historical city. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site<\/a><\/strong> due to having one of the most complete systems of military fortifications in South America and is an eminent example of military architecture in the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The climate in Colombia<\/strong> varies by region and elevation, with a tropical climate along the coast and eastern plains, and a cooler climate in the highlands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Colombian People & Society<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Colombia is the third most populous country in Latin America, with around 50 million people calling it home. The estimated ethnic makeup of Colombia<\/strong> in 2018 was 87.6% mestizo and white, 6.8% Afro-Colombian (includes mulatto, Raizal, and Palenquero), and 4.3% Amerindian. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, the urban population of Colombia was estimated at 81.4% of the total population, and increasing at 1.22% per year. This is because Colombia is in the midst of a large demographic shift<\/strong> as the country works to recover from the decades long internal conflict, which resulted in millions of Colombians emigrating to other countries and millions of others being internally displaced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Like every other South American country, the majority of Colombians identify as Christians<\/strong>, and more specifically Catholics (as it was the only religion allowed during the colonial era). In 2014, it was estimated that 79% of Colombians were Roman Catholic, while another 14% practiced as Protestant. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Colombia’s Economic Overview<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In 2019, the real GDP of Colombia<\/strong> was estimated at $741 billion, which is equal to a GDP per capita of $14,722. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The economy of Colombia<\/strong> is mainly dependent on the export of primary commodities, particularly, oil, coal, and coffee, all of which are subject to significant price volatility. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Exports (2019 est.):<\/td>$61.697 billion<\/td><\/tr>
Export partners (2019) :<\/td>US 31%, China 11%, Panama 6% <\/td><\/tr>
Imports (2019 est.):<\/td>$87.072 billion <\/td><\/tr>
Import partners (2019): <\/td>US 27%, China 20%, Mexico 7%, Brazil 6%<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Travel and tourism<\/strong> is increasingly becoming an important industry, with a 2017 estimate claiming tourism provides 2% of Colombia’s GDP and 2.5% of total employment in the country. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, in 2017 it was estimated that 28% of Colombians live below the poverty line. Progress is being made, but Colombia\u2019s economic development<\/strong> is hampered by inadequate infrastructure, poverty, narcotrafficking, and an uncertain security situation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Travel Tips for Colombia<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Power<\/td>110 V \/ 60 Hz \/ Plug Types: A, B<\/td><\/tr>
Currency (Code)<\/td>Pesos (COP)<\/td><\/tr>
Road Driving Side<\/td>Right<\/td><\/tr>
International Driving Permit<\/td>Suggested; additionally, if you plan to drive in Colombia, you will need an Inter-American Driving Permit issued by the AAA<\/td><\/tr>
Visa\/Authorization for travel<\/td>90-day tourist visas are available without prior application for residents of 95 foreign countries<\/td><\/tr>
UK Travel Advice<\/td>Colombia travel advice<\/a> <\/td><\/tr>
US State Department <\/td>Colombia country information<\/a><\/td><\/tr>
Local Emergency Number<\/td>119<\/td><\/tr>
Telephone code<\/td>57<\/td><\/tr>
Time zone (UTC)<\/td>UTC-5<\/td><\/tr>
Official tourism board<\/td>colombia.travel\/en <\/a><\/td><\/tr>
Drinking Water<\/td>Opt for bottled water<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Colombia Laws & Safety<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

U.S. Embassy<\/strong> in Bogota: <\/p>\n\n\n\n