# Colombia

> country in South America

**Wikidata**: [Q739](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q739)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colombia)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/colombia

## Summary
Colombia is a sovereign state and constitutional republic located in South America, recognized for its political stability and high human development index. Officially named the Republic of Colombia, it is bordered by Brazil, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, Panama, and the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean. With a population exceeding 52 million as of 2023, Colombia plays a significant role in regional and global affairs.

## Key Facts
- **Official Name**: Republic of Colombia (República de Colombia)
- **Capital**: Bogotá
- **Independence Date**: Declared on July 20, 1810; recognized on December 7, 1819
- **Population**: 52,321,152 (2023 estimate)
- **Area**: 1,141,748 square kilometers
- **Continent**: South America
- **Bordering Countries**: Brazil, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, Panama
- **Highest Point**: Pico Cristóbal Colón (5,775 meters)
- **Lowest Point**: Pacific Ocean (0 meters)
- **Timezone**: UTC−05:00 (America/Bogota)
- **National Language**: Spanish
- **Currency**: Colombian peso (since 1886)
- **Driving Side**: Right-hand traffic
- **Electricity**: 110V, 60Hz (Type A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, L, M, N plugs)
- **Emergency Number**: 123
- **International Calling Code**: +57
- **Internet TLD**: .co
- **ISO Codes**: Alpha-2: CO, Alpha-3: COL, Numeric: 170
- **M49 Code**: 170
- **Aircraft Registration Prefix**: HJ, HK
- **Licence Plate Code**: CO (since 1952)
- **Maritime Identification Digits**: 730
- **Mobile Country Code**: 732

## FAQs
**What type of government does Colombia have?**  
Colombia operates as a presidential constitutional republic with a participatory democracy, led by a president serving as both head of state and government.

**What are Colombia's key economic indicators?**  
As of 2022, Colombia's nominal GDP was $343.9 billion, with a Gini coefficient of 54.2 (2020) and an unemployment rate of 9.4% (2014). The VAT rate is 19%.

**What international organizations is Colombia part of?**  
Colombia is a member of the United Nations, World Trade Organization, Organization of American States, UNESCO, and the OECD, among others.

**What is Colombia's human development status?**  
Colombia's HDI is 0.752 (2021), classified as "High," with a life expectancy of 77 years (2022).

**What are Colombia's major holidays?**  
Key holidays include Independence Day (July 20), Christmas, and Carnival, reflecting its cultural and historical heritage.

**What administrative divisions does Colombia have?**  
Colombia is divided into 32 departments and the capital district of Bogotá.

**What is Colombia's relationship with neighboring countries?**  
Colombia shares borders with Brazil, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, and Panama, maintaining diplomatic relations with these nations and others globally.

## Why It Matters
Colombia stands out as a regional leader in democracy and social progress, transitioning from past conflicts to stability. Its strategic location in South America, diverse ecosystems, and cultural contributions enhance its global influence. Colombia's economic growth, driven by sectors like agriculture and manufacturing, positions it as a key player in Latin America. Its commitment to multilateralism and human rights further solidifies its international standing.

## Notable For
- **High Biodiversity**: Home to 10% of the world's species.
- **Cultural Heritage**: Rich literary and musical traditions, including Nobel laureates Gabriel García Márquez and Juan Manuel Santos.
- **Economic Resilience**: A mixed economy with strong social programs, attracting regional attention.
- **Political Milestones**: First Latin American country to legalize same-sex marriage (2016) and medical cannabis (2015).
- **Geographic Diversity**: Encompassing Amazon rainforest, Andes mountains, and Caribbean and Pacific coastlines.

## Body
### History and Independence
Colombia's independence from Spain began with the 1810 revolt, culminating in recognition in 1819 after the Battle of Boyacá. The country's name honors explorer Christopher Columbus. Historical challenges include the Thousand Days' War (1899–1902) and internal conflicts in the late 20th century, leading to the 2016 peace agreement with FARC.

### Geography and Environment
Spanning 1,141,748 km², Colombia features diverse landscapes: Andean highlands, Caribbean and Pacific coasts, and Amazon rainforest. Key geographical points include Pico Cristóbal Colón (highest) and the Pacific Ocean (lowest). The country is part of the Rio de la Plata basin and is named after the Colombia River.

### Government and Politics
A presidential republic with a bicameral legislature (Congress of Colombia), Colombia emphasizes democratic governance. Current President Gustavo Petro (since 2022) leads the executive branch. The country ranks 59th in the Democracy Index (2022), reflecting strong democratic traditions.

### Demographics and Society
With a population of 52.3 million (2023), Colombia is highly urbanized, with 80% residing in cities like Bogotá and Medellín. Spanish is the official language, alongside recognized indigenous languages. Education is compulsory from ages 5 to 16, and the retirement age is 62 for men and 57 for women.

### Economy and Infrastructure
The economy, driven by services, industry, and agriculture, saw a nominal GDP of $343.9 billion in 2022. Key exports include petroleum, coal, and coffee. Infrastructure includes right-hand traffic and a 110V/60Hz electrical grid. The Colombian peso replaced the nuevo peso in 1886.

### International Relations and Memberships
A founding member of the UN (1945), Colombia participates in the WTO, OAS, and OECD. It maintains diplomatic ties with over 180 countries, emphasizing regional integration through organizations like the Union of South American Nations.

### Symbols and Culture
National symbols include the flag, coat of arms, and anthem. Colombia is nicknamed "The Land of Eternal Spring" for its climate. Cultural contributions span literature (Magical Realism), music (cumbia, vallenato), and sports (football, cycling).

### Administrative Divisions
Divided into 32 departments and the capital district, each with distinct administrative structures, Colombia's regions reflect geographic and cultural diversity, from the Caribbean coast to the Amazonas rainforest.

### Technical Identifiers and Standards
Colombia uses the .co domain, +57 country code, and ISO codes CO/COL/170. Emergency services are reached via 123, and the timezone is UTC−05:00. The country adopts GS1 prefix 770-771 and maritime ID 730.

## References

1. [Source](https://rulers.org/rulc3.html#colombia)
2. [Source](https://www.workwithdata.com/place/colombia)
3. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
4. [Internetowa encyklopedia PWN](https://encyklopedia.pwn.pl/haslo/Kolumbia;4169072.html)
5. Colombian Constitution of 1991
6. Our country of the year
7. The World Factbook
8. archINFORM
9. Virtual International Authority File
10. CiNii Research
11. [Source](https://data.iana.org/time-zones/tzdb-2021e/southamerica)
12. [Source](http://www.interpol.int/es/Pa%C3%ADses-miembros/Am%C3%A9ricas/Colombia)
13. [Interpol](https://www.interpol.int/Member-countries/World)
14. [Source](https://www.interpol.int/Who-we-are/Member-countries/Americas/COLOMBIA)
15. [Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons](https://www.opcw.org/about-opcw/member-states/)
16. [Source](https://www.opcw.org/about-us/member-states/colombia)
17. [International Hydrographic Organization](https://www.iho.int/srv1/index.php?option=com_wrapper&view=wrapper&Itemid=452&lang=en)
18. [Source](http://www.unesco.org/eri/cp/ListeMS_Indicators.asp)
19. [Source](http://www.upu.int/en/the-upu/member-countries.html)
20. [Source](https://www.upu.int/en/Universal-Postal-Union/About-UPU/Member-Countries?csid=-1&cid=73)
21. [Source](https://www.itu.int/online/mm/scripts/gensel8)
22. [Source](https://public.wmo.int/en/members/colombia)
23. [Source](https://www.who.int/choice/demography/by_country/en/)
24. [Source](https://www.wcoomd.org/-/media/wco/public/global/pdf/about-us/wco-members/list-of-members-with-membership-date.pdf)
25. [Colombie](https://www.oecd.org/fr/countries/colombia.html)
26. [Source](https://www.ncnk.org/sites/default/files/content/resources/publications/NCNK_Issue_Brief_DPRK_Diplomatic_Relations.pdf)
27. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
28. [Source](https://unstats.un.org/unsd/methodology/m49/)
29. FIPS 10-4
30. datos.bne.es
31. MusicBrainz
32. [Human Development Report. 2022](https://hdr.undp.org/data-center/human-development-index#/indicies/HDI)
33. World Bank Open Data
34. [World Bank Open Data](https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.POP.TOTL)
35. [Source](https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SI.POV.GINI)
36. [Source](http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SL.UEM.TOTL.ZS)
37. [Source](http://cnig.gouv.fr/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/CNT-PVM_r%C3%A9vis%C3%A9_2020-01-27-1.pdf)
38. Official Names of the United Nations Membership
39. [Source](https://sjp.pwn.pl/so/Kolumbijczyk;4451737.html)
40. [Source](https://sjp.pwn.pl/so/Kolumbijka;4451738.html)
41. The National Terminology Database for Irish
42. [Source](https://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-world/freedom-world-2017)
43. [Source](http://chartsbin.com/view/edr)
44. [World Bank](https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GDP.MKTP.CD)
45. [UNESCO Institute for Statistics](http://data.uis.unesco.org/Index.aspx?DataSetCode=DEMO_DS)
46. [UNESCO Institute for Statistics](http://data.uis.unesco.org/index.aspx?queryid=3372)
47. BabelNet
48. [International Numbering Resources Database](http://www.itu.int/net/itu-t/inrdb/e129_important_numbers.aspx)
49. [World Plugs](http://www.iec.ch/worldplugs/list_bylocation.htm)
50. [Source](https://countrycodebase.com/undp/)