Colombia has changed its name
several times. It has been called Virreynato de la Nueva Granada,
Gran Colombia, República de Nueva Granada, Confederación
Granadina, Estados Unidos de Nueva Granada and Estados Unidos
de Colombia.
Government Information
Chief
of State: President Alvaro URIBE Velez (since 7
August 2002) Head of Government: President
Alvaro URIBE Velez (since 7 August 2002) Government Type: republic; executive
branch dominates government structure
Population Demographics
Population:
43,593,035 (July 2006 est.) Languages: Spanish Religion: Roman Catholic 90%,
other 10% Life Expectancy: 71.99
Economic Information
Currency:
Colombian peso (COP) GDP(per capita): $7,900 (2005
est.) Overview: Colombia's economy
has been on a recovery trend during the past two years
despite a serious armed conflict. The economy continues
to improve thanks to austere government budgets, focused
efforts to reduce public debt levels, an export-oriented
growth strategy, and an improved security situation
in the country. Ongoing economic problems facing President
URIBE range from reforming the pension system to reducing
high unemployment. New exploration is needed to offset
declining oil production. On the positive side, several
international financial institutions have praised the
economic reforms introduced by URIBE, which succeeded
in reducing the public-sector deficit below 1.5% of
GDP. The government's economic policy and democratic
security strategy have engendered a growing sense of
confidence in the economy, particularly within the business
sector. Coffee prices have recovered from previous lows
as the Colombian coffee industry pursues greater market
shares in developed countries such as the United States.
Location:
Northern South America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between
Panama and Venezuela, and bordering the North Pacific
Ocean, between Ecuador and Panama Area: total: 1,138,910 sq km
land: 1,038,700 sq km
water: 100,210 sq km
note: includes Isla de Malpelo, Roncador Cay, Serrana
Bank, and Serranilla Bank
Background:
Colombia was one of the three countries that emerged
from the collapse of Gran Colombia in 1830 (the others
are Ecuador and Venezuela). A 40-year conflict between
government forces and anti-government insurgent groups
and illegal paramilitary groups - both heavily funded
by the drug trade - escalated during the 1990s. The
insurgents lack the military or popular support necessary
to overthrow the government and violence has been decreasing
since about 2002, but insurgents continue attacks against
civilians and large swaths of the countryside are under
guerrilla influence. Paramilitary groups challenge the
insurgents for control of territory and the drug trade.
Most paramilitary members have demobilized since 2002
in an ongoing peace process, although their commitment
to ceasing illicit activity is unclear. The Colombian
Government has stepped up efforts to reassert government
control throughout the country, and now has a presence
in every one of its municipalities. However, neighboring
countries worry about the violence spilling over their
borders.
Independence Day: 20 July 1810
(from Spain)
Capital City: Bogota Administrative divisions: 32
departments (departamentos, singular - departamento)
and 1 capital district* (distrito capital); Amazonas,
Antioquia, Arauca, Atlantico, Bogota*, Bolivar, Boyaca,
Caldas, Caqueta, Casanare, Cauca, Cesar, Choco, Cordoba,
Cundinamarca, Guainia, Guaviare, Huila, La Guajira,
Magdalena, Meta, Narino, Norte de Santander, Putumayo,
Quindio, Risaralda, San Andres y Providencia, Santander,
Sucre, Tolima, Valle del Cauca, Vaupes, Vichada
