Study, Work or Volunteer in Colombia

The Republic of Colombia is the 4th largest country in South America and 26th in the world with a total area of 1,141,748 km2. Its capital is Bogotá and is also the nation’s biggest city. It is represented by a presidential republic type of government with Alvaro Uribe Velez as the current president. The population of Columbia as of 2008 is estimated at 44 million (29th). The official language is Spanish and currency is Colombian Peso.

Colombia’s vast land was once occupied by indigenous tribes that had migrated from Central and North America. Spain colonized the country in the late 1490s. Colombia became part of the New Granada together with Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela. It declared independence in 1810 and Spain finally recognized its sovereignty in August 7, 1819. The country continues to experience political and economic turmoil. The “Thousand Days Civil War” is a very historic event since it led to the creation of Panama as a separate nation in 1903.

The economy of Colombia is the 29th largest in the world in 2005 with a GDP of roughly $337 billion. Major industries include textiles, food processing, petrochemicals, coal, cement, beverages, electronics and aircraft. In 2003, the GDP growth of Colombia was among the highest in Latin America. Its tourism industry grew in the 1940s and continued to boom since then. The most famous festivities include the Cali’s Fair, Bogotá summer festival, Barranquilla’s Carnival and Festival of the Flowers. Almost 95% of the population is reported to be Christians, 80%-90% of which practices Roman Catholicism. Other minor religions are Judaism, Hinduism, Islam, and Buddhism.