Introduction

Colombia was one of the three countries that emerged from the collapse of Gran Colombia in 1830 (the others are Ecuador and Venezuela). A four-decade long conflict between government forces and anti-government insurgent groups, principally the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) 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 areas of the countryside are under guerrilla influence or are contested by security forces. More than 31,000 former paramilitaries had demobilized by the end of 2006 and the United Self Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC) as a formal organization had ceased to function. In the wake of the paramilitary demobilization, emerging criminal groups arose, whose members include some former paramilitaries. The Colombian Government has stepped up efforts to reassert government control throughout the country, and now has a presence in every one of its administrative departments. However, neighboring countries worry about the violence spilling over their borders.

Geographical Location

Located in northern South America, Colombia borders the Caribbean Sea between Panama and Venezuela and borders the North Pacific Ocean between Ecuador and Panama. It has a total area of 1,138,914 sq km. or slightly less than twice the size of Texas. It's lowest point of elevation is the Pacific Ocean 0 m. and it's highest point is Pico Cristobal Colon 5,775 m. Colombia has natural resources of petroleum, natural gas, coal, iron ore, nickel, gold, copper, emeralds, and hydropower. Agricultural products include coffee, cut flowers, bananas, rice, tobacco, corn, sugarcane, cocoa beans, oilseed, vegetables, forest products and shrimp. Industries include textiles, food processing, oil, clothing and footwear, beverages, chemicals, cement, gold, coal, and emeralds.

Climate

The climate is tropical along the coast and eastern plains but cooler in the highlands. The terrain is flat coastal lowlands, central highlands, high Andes Mountains, and eastern lowland plains. Natural hazards include highlands subject to volcanic eruptions, occasional earthquakes, and periodic droughts. Only 2.01% of the land is arable with 1.37% in permanent crops. Environmental issues include deforestation; soil and water quality damage from overuse of pesticides; air pollution, especially in Bogota, from vehicle emissions.

Population

The population is 43,677,372 (July 2009 est.). The growth rate is 1.219% with a birth rate of 18.09 births per 1000 and a death rate of 5.22 deaths per 1000. Life expectancy at birth is 77.07 years. The labor force by occupation: agriculture 18%, industry 18.9%, services 63.1% (2009) Over 46.8% of the population lives below the poverty level. Ethnic groups include mestizo 58%, white 20%, mulatto 14%, black 4%, mixed black-Amerindian 3%, and Amerindian 1%. Infectious diseases include bacterial diarrhea, dengue fever, malaria, yellow fever, and leptospirosis (2009).

Languages

The language is Spanish. 90.4% of the population age 15 and over can read and write.

Religion

Religions include Roman Catholics 90% with others 10%.