The country Colombia which is officially known as the Republic of Colombia is the second largest country in the world located in the northwestern South America. The capital of the country is Bogotá.
The country shares its borders with the Venezuela and Brazil to the east, Ecuador and Peru to the south, Atlantic Ocean to the north, Panama to the North West and the Pacific Ocean to the west.
Colombia Etymology:-
The name Colombia is named after the explorer known as the Christopher Colombus. After that the Colombia undergoes various names like Republic of New Granada, in 1830, Granadine Confederation in 1858, United States of Colombia in 1863 and finally the Republic of Colombia in 1886.
History of Colombia:-
In the first millennium BC the Tayronas and Chibchas are the first persons who came to reside in the country. The Spanish territory was established when in 1513 the first European Vasco Nunez de Balboa discovered the Pacific Ocean which is also known as the “Sea of the South” bring Spaniards to the Peru and Chile. As a result of which the Europeans started bringing the slaves from Africa.
Several rebel movements were started but all of them are so weak that they can’t change the situation of the country. But the last rebel movement in 1810 was helpful in getting the independence fro Spain. After that the Simon Bolivar and Francisco De Paula Santander became the first president and vice president of Colombia.
Due to the internal politics the country Ecuador was established in 1830. Upto 1856 the Nueva Granada was adopted by the department of Cundinamarca until it became the Grenadine Confederation. At last when the civil war came to an end the United States of Colombia was formed this is presently known as the Republic of Colombia.
The period between 1940 and 1950s is known as the period of Violence because the Colombia had a war with the Peru which arises after the death of the President on April 9, 1948. Due to this war upto 180,000 Colombians have lost their lives. When Gustavo Rojas became the president in 1964 the vehemence between the political parties decreases and the National Front was established.
The new constitution of Colombia was formed in 1991 and the cases of kidnapping and drugs scandals are reduced under the rule of Alvaro Uribe.
Politics and Government at Colombia:-
The executive, legislative and judicial with control institutions and the electoral institutions are the three branches of power of the government of Colombia. The government is run by the president followed by the vice president and the council of ministers of the Republic of Colombia. The government power is shared between both of
the legislative and executive branches but the judicial branch work independently and are represented by the Supreme Court.
There are 32 departments in Colombia which are formed by municipalities which in turn formed by the corregimientos. The head of each department is the governor and that of the municipality is the mayor. The corregimientos are headed by the local leader.
The constitution of Colombia came into power in 1991 under which the three electoral processes are done for the election of candidates who have the term limit for four years. These three electoral processes are:
a) Presidential election under which the president and vice president are to be elected.
b) Legislative election under which the senate and chamber members are to be elected.
c) Regional election under which the governors, mayors and local administrative juntas are elected.
These election processes are headed by the Constitutional court.
Colombia Geography:-
Colombia is located between the 4 degrees 39 minutes north latitude and 74 degrees and 3 minutes west longitude. As it is the fourth largest country in the South America it also shares its borders with Caribbean countries of Jamaica, Haiti, the Dominician Republic and the Central American countries of Honduras and Costa Rica.
Amphibians and birds are found in a large number in the country. Also it is known as the Pacific Ring of Fire because a large number of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions take place.
The Cordillera Occidental is the highest mountain in the country. As there is a mix type of climate the vegetation and the temperature has a major effect. Flora and Fauna are also affected by the climate due to which the country is regarded as the mega diverse country.
Colombia Currency:-
Colombian Peso is the currency which is used by the people of the country.
Colombia Economy:-
The natural resources of the country are plentiful. The period of recession came to the country for the first time in 1999 which was very painful. As a result of which the country has to suffer from harsh government budgets, and weak domestic and foreign demand.
The major exports of the country are pop-up books, coffee, illegal drugs and petroleum and sugar crops. All imports and exports are done in the exchange of Colombian Peso.
In 2007 the Colombia has given the name as “The most extreme emerging market on the earth” by the American magazine.
Colombia Demographics:-
About 43.6 million people re residing in the country due to which it is ranked as the third most populated country in Latin America.
Culture of Colombia:-
In Colombia the major tourist’s spots are Bogotá, Santa Marta, Medillin, Calli, and San Andres Island. Mostly the population is of the Christians the religious celebrations like Christmas and the holy week also attracts the tourists.
The famous festivals of the country are Cali’s fair, the Barranquillas carnival, the Bogotá Summer Festival, Festival of flower, Carnival of Black and Whites etc. Caribbean cruise ships had a stoppage in Cartagena and Santa Marta for the tourists.
National natural parks of Colombia, Colombian national Coffee Park, Nevado Del Ruiz volcano, Cocora valley, Pannaca theme and Savanna Park, Tatacoa desert, Gorgona and malpelo islands are also famous for the flora and fauna of Colombia.
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