Discover Fascinating Colombia Facts

Dive into the history, culture, and unique insights about Colombia.

Colombia

Background

Colombia has a fascinating history! ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ด It was one of the three countries that came to life after Gran Colombia broke apart in 1830, along with Ecuador and Venezuela. ๐ŸŒŽ Despite facing many challenges like internal conflicts and issues related to drug trade, Colombia is proud to have strong democratic institutions. ๐Ÿ—ณ๏ธ This means that the people can vote in peaceful and transparent elections while their civil liberties are protected. Isn't that great?

Year Gran Colombia Dissolved

1830

Number of countries that emerged from Gran Colombia

3

Exports - commodities

Colombia is known for its diverse and vibrant export landscape! ๐ŸŒ In 2022, the country exported various key commodities that are essential to its economy. Here's a fun look at some of those main exports:

  • Crude Petroleum: This is one of Colombia's top exports, playing a huge role in international trade.
  • Coal: Another important commodity, Colombia is among the leading coal exporters in the world. โš’๏ธ
  • Coffee: Everyone loves a good cup of coffee! โ˜• Colombia is famous for its high-quality coffee beans.
  • Refined Petroleum: After crude petroleum, the refined version is also significant in Colombia's export portfolio.
  • Gold: Shiny and valuable, gold is a key export that adds sparkle to Colombia's economy! โœจ

Each of these commodities contributes to Colombia's rich tapestry of trade. Let's visualize the importance of these exports in a cool chart!

Colombia's Top Exports in 2022

Exports - partners

Colombia has some exciting trade partners! ๐ŸŒŽ Hereโ€™s how their exports are divided among different countries in 2022:

  • United States: 26% ๐Ÿ“ˆ
  • Panama: 10% ๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฆ
  • Netherlands: 6% ๐Ÿ‡ณ๐Ÿ‡ฑ
  • India: 4% ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ
  • Brazil: 4% ๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡ท

Do you know what that means? The USA is the biggest share of Colombia's exports! ๐Ÿคฉ Imagine all the amazing products flowing across borders! Let's take a closer look at these export numbers in a pie chart to see just how much each country gets! ๐Ÿฐ

Percentage of Total Exports to the US

26%

Percentage of Total Exports to Panama

10%

Percentage of Total Exports to the Netherlands

6%

Percentage of Total Exports to India

4%

Percentage of Total Exports to Brazil

4%

Colombia's Export Partners in 2022

Capital

๐ŸŒŸ Welcome to Bogotรก! ๐ŸŒŸ The bustling capital city of Colombia, where you can experience a vibrant culture and rich history. Did you know that Bogotรก is not just the political and economic center of Colombia, but it's also known for its stunning architecture and diverse neighborhoods? ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ด

Capital City

Bogotรก

Imports - commodities

Colombia imports a variety of important commodities that help keep the economy thriving! ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ด Here's a look at some of the key imports in 2022:

  • Refined Petroleum: This is crucial for powering vehicles and industries across the nation. ๐Ÿš—โ›ฝ
  • Cars: Having a reliable transportation system is vital, and imports of cars support this need. ๐Ÿš™
  • Broadcasting Equipment: Essential for media and communication, this category helps keep Colombians connected and informed. ๐Ÿ“บ๐Ÿ“ป
  • Corn: A staple food in Colombia, corn is important for both human consumption and animal feed. ๐ŸŒฝ๐Ÿ„
  • Packaged Medicine: Health is wealth! Packaged medicine is key to maintaining the well-being of the population. ๐Ÿ’Š

These commodities play a significant role in Colombiaโ€™s economy and day-to-day life! ๐Ÿ“ˆโœจ

Key Imports in 2022

Refined Petroleum, Cars, Broadcasting Equipment, Corn, Packaged Medicine

Climate

Colombia has a diverse climate! ๐ŸŒž On the coast and eastern plains, the weather is tropical, which means it's warm and humid most of the time. ๐Ÿ–๏ธ But if you head into the highlands, you'll find cooler temperatures. ๐Ÿ”๏ธ The variety in climate allows for different plants, animals, and even activities depending on where you are in the country!

Executive branch

๐Ÿ‘ค The Executive Branch of Colombia is led by President Gustavo Francisco PETRO Urrego! ๐ŸŽ‰ He has been serving as both the chief of state and head of government since August 7, 2022. This means that he holds the top position in the country's executive power and is responsible for guiding the nation's direction. ๐ŸŒŸ

Current President in Office

Gustavo Francisco PETRO Urrego

Date of Tenure Begins

August 7, 2022

Legislative branch

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ด Legislative Branch of Colombia

Colombia has a bicameral Congress that consists of two important chambers ๐Ÿฝ๏ธ: the Senate and the Chamber of Representatives.

  • Senate: 108 seats
  • Chamber of Representatives: 188 seats

This setup ensures that the people of Colombia have representation in both chambers, allowing for diverse voices in the legislative process! ๐Ÿ—ณ๏ธ Let's dive into some interesting statistics about the composition of Congress!

Total number of seats in Congress

296

Composition of Colombia's Congress

Natural resources

๐ŸŒ Colombia is rich in natural resources! Here's what can be found beneath the surface and in the breathtaking landscapes of this beautiful country:

  • Petroleum ๐Ÿ›ข๏ธ
  • Natural Gas ๐Ÿ’จ
  • Coal โ›๏ธ
  • Iron Ore ๐Ÿ—๏ธ
  • Nickel ๐Ÿ”‹
  • Gold โ›๏ธโœจ
  • Copper ๐Ÿช™
  • Emeralds ๐Ÿ’š๐Ÿ’Ž
  • Hydropower โšก

These resources are not only vital for Colombia's economy but also play a significant role in its energy production and global trade. ๐ŸŒŸ

Economic overview

Colombia has been one of the shining stars in growth economies ๐ŸŒŸ before the COVID-19 pandemic hit! The country has seen declining poverty rates, which is wonderful news for everyone! ๐Ÿ“‰ However, despite a large stimulus package that has helped soften the economic blows, some critical infrastructure investments have been postponed. ๐Ÿ—๏ธ On the bright side, Colombia has been very successful in managing inflation, and it has a flexible exchange rate regime to help stabilize the economy. ๐Ÿ’ต But it's important to note that the domestic economy is still facing challenges due to a lack of trade integration and infrastructure. ๐Ÿšง๐ŸŒ

Prior to COVID-19

Consistent growth economy

Poverty trend

Declining

Economic stimulus impact

Mitigated economic fallout

Inflation management

Successful

Exchange rate regime

Sound flexible

Domestic economy challenge

Lack of trade integration and infrastructure

Government type

Colombia has a Presidential Republic government system. This means that the President is both the head of state and the head of government! ๐Ÿ›๏ธ The President is elected by the citizens and has a significant amount of power in running the country. It's a system that brings together democracy and leadership, making it a crucial part of Colombian politics. ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ด

Ethnic groups

In Colombia, the ethnic tapestry is quite colorful! ๐ŸŽจ According to estimates from 2018, here's how the population is divided among different ethnic groups:

  • Mestizo and White: 87.6%
  • Afro-Colombian (including Mulatto, Raizal, and Palenquero): 6.8%
  • Indigenous: 4.3%
  • Unspecified: 1.4%

This shows a rich cultural mixture, with the Mestizo and White population making up the vast majority. ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ด

Percentage of Mestizo and White population

87.6%

Percentage of Afro-Colombian population

6.8%

Percentage of Indigenous population

4.3%

Percentage of unspecified ethnic groups

1.4%

Ethnic Composition of Colombia (2018)

Religions

In Colombia, the religious landscape is diverse and colorful! ๐ŸŽจ Hereโ€™s a breakdown of the population by their beliefs:

  • Roman Catholic: 63.6% - The majority!
  • Protestant: 17.2%
    • Evangelical: 16.7%
    • Adventist: 0.3%
    • Other Protestant: 0.2%
  • Jehovah's Witness: 0.6%
  • Church of Jesus Christ: 0.1%
  • Other religions: 0.3%
  • Believers: 0.2%
  • Agnostics: 1%
  • Atheists: 1%
  • No Religion: 14.2%
  • Unspecified beliefs: 1.8%

These percentages show how people in Colombia identify with different religions! ๐ŸŒŸ To visualize this data, a pie chart can help show the proportions clearly, especially for understanding how things add up to 100%! ๐Ÿฐ

Percentage of Roman Catholics

63.6%

Percentage of Protestants

17.2%

Percentage of Jehovah's Witnesses

0.6%

Percentage of Atheists

1%

Percentage of People with No Religion

14.2%

Religious Distribution in Colombia (2023)

Languages

In Colombia, the rich tapestry of languages showcases its diverse culture! ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ด The majority of people speak Spanish with a whopping 98.9% of the population using it as their official language. ๐ŸŒŽ Additionally, 1% of the population speaks various indigenous languages, showing the country's commitment to its native heritage. Even more fascinating is that there are 65 indigenous languages existing throughout Colombia! ๐Ÿ“š

If we look at the percentages of the languages spoken in Colombia, we can see that Spanish truly dominates the linguistic landscape!

Total Number of Indigenous Languages

65

Language Distribution in Colombia

Imports - partners

๐ŸŒ Let's explore where Colombia gets its goods from! In 2022, Colombia's top import partners were quite fascinating. The United States and China were neck and neck, with the US leading at 26% of imports, closely followed by China at 25%! ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ Brazil contributed 7%, while Mexico and Germany had smaller shares of 5% and 3%, respectively. ๐Ÿ“ˆ Importing from these countries helps Colombia thrive and enjoy a variety of products!

Top import partner: United States

26%

Second top import partner: China

25%

Third top import partner: Brazil

7%

Fourth top import partner: Mexico

5%

Fifth top import partner: Germany

3%

Colombia's Import Partners (2022)

Population

Colombia is buzzing with life! ๐ŸŒ The total population of Colombia is 49,588,357 people. Thatโ€™s a lot of folks enjoying the beautiful landscapes, amazing culture, and delicious food! ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ด

Total Population

49,588,357

Area

๐ŸŒ Area of Colombia ๐ŸŒŠ

Colombia is a vast country with a total area of 1,138,910 sq km! Let's break it down:

  • Land Area: This is where the majority of activities happen! Colombia boasts 1,038,700 sq km of land. ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ด
  • Water Area: With beautiful rivers and lakes, Colombia has 100,210 sq km of water. ๐Ÿ’ง

This country truly has a great mix of land and water, making it a rich and diverse environment to explore!

Total Area

1,138,910 sq km

Land Area

1,038,700 sq km

Water Area

100,210 sq km

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)

๐ŸŽ‰ Let's take a look at Colombia's Real Gross Domestic Product (GDP), measured in purchasing power parity (PPP)! This figure tells us how much stuff Colombians can buy with their money compared to other countries. ๐Ÿ’ฐ Hereโ€™s a quick look at how Colombia's economy has been doing:

  • 2021: $906.034 billion
  • 2022: $972.073 billion
  • 2023: $978.024 billion

As you can see, thereโ€™s been a steady increase over the past few years, showing that Colombia's economy is growing and getting stronger! ๐Ÿ“ˆ

Imagine what that means for the people and their lives in Colombia! More money usually means better services, jobs, and opportunities. ๐ŸŒŸ

GDP in 2021

$906.034 billion

GDP in 2022

$972.073 billion

GDP in 2023

$978.024 billion

Colombia's GDP (PPP) Over Time

Real GDP per capita

๐Ÿ“ˆ Let's talk about Colombia's Real GDP per capita! This number shows how much money, on average, each person in Colombia would have if all the countryโ€™s wealth was spread out evenly. Itโ€™s a fun way to see how the economy is doing! ๐Ÿค”

Over the past few years, this value has been changing:

  • In 2021, it was $17,600.
  • In 2022, it went up to $18,700! ๐ŸŽ‰
  • And in 2023, it increased a bit more to $18,800! ๐ŸŒŸ

Isn't it great to see steady growth? Let's visualize this data!

Real GDP per Capita in 2021

17,600

Real GDP per Capita in 2022

18,700

Real GDP per Capita in 2023

18,800

Real GDP per Capita in Colombia (2021 - 2023)

Imports

๐ŸŒŽ Colombia is a vibrant economy that thrives on trade! In 2023, the total imports were a whopping $75.983 billion! Let's take a look at how this number stacks up over the past few years:

  • 2021: $70.914 billion
  • 2022: $89.649 billion
  • 2023: $75.983 billion

You can see that Colombia's imports grew from 2021 to 2022, but there was a dip in 2023. ๐Ÿ“‰ This fluctuation shows the dynamic nature of trade! ๐Ÿ“ˆ

Import Value in 2023

75.983 billion

Import Value in 2022

89.649 billion

Import Value in 2021

70.914 billion

Colombia's Imports Over the Years

Exports

๐ŸŒ Colombia's exports have seen some significant changes over the years! In 2021, the total exports were $50.907 billion. The exports increased to $73.06 billion in 2022, showcasing a promising trend! ๐ŸŽ‰ And in the latest estimate for 2023, exports are projected to reach $67.762 billion. Itโ€™s fascinating to see how Colombia is boosting its trade in the global market! ๐Ÿ“ˆ

Exports in 2021

$50.907 billion

Exports in 2022

$73.06 billion

2023 Estimated Exports

$67.762 billion

Colombia's Exports Over Time

Population growth rate

๐ŸŒฑ Colombia's population is growing at a rate of 0.48% in 2024! This means more people are joining the vibrant culture of this beautiful country every year. As the population increases, it brings new opportunities and challenges that shape the future of Colombia. ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ด

Estimated Population Growth Rate for 2024

0.48%