Editing Colombia

{{short description|Country in South America}}
{{About|the country}}
{{Distinguish|Columbia (disambiguation){{!}}Columbia|Colombo}}
{{protection padlock|small=yes}}
{{Use American English|date=November 2021}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2024}}
{{Infobox country
| coordinates            = {{Coord|4|35|N|74|4|W|type:city}}
| conventional_long_name = Republic of Colombia
| native_name            = {{lang|es|República de Colombia}}&nbsp;([[Colombian Spanish|Spanish]])
| image_flag             = Flag of Colombia.svg
| image_coat             = Coat of arms of Colombia.svg
| common_name            = Colombia
| national_motto         = {{native phrase|es|"Libertad y Orden"|italics=off|nolink=yes}}
| englishmotto           = "Freedom and Order"
| national_anthem        = {{native phrase|es|[[National Anthem of Colombia|Himno Nacional de la República de Colombia]]|nolink=yes}}<br />"National Anthem of the Republic of Colombia"<div style="padding-top:0.5em;">{{center|[[File:United States Navy Band - ¡Oh, gloria inmarcesible!.ogg]]}}</div>
| image_map              = COL orthographic (San Andrés and Providencia special).svg
| map_caption            = {{map caption |location_color=dark green }}
| capital                = [[Bogotá]]
| religion               = {{unbulleted list
 | 70.2% [[Catholic Church|Catholicism]]
 | 16.8% other [[Christian]]
 | 11.1% [[Irreligion|no religion]]
 | 1.9% other
}}
| religion_ref           = <ref>{{cite web |url=https://es.statista.com/grafico/28553/las-religiones-mas-comunes-en-latinoamerica/ |title=Catholicism and evangelism: the two most common religions in Latin America |website=Statista |date=26 October 2022 |access-date=18 November 2022 |archive-date=19 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221119004809/https://es.statista.com/grafico/28553/las-religiones-mas-comunes-en-latinoamerica/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
| religion_year          = 2022
| largest_city           = capital
| official_languages     = [[Colombian Spanish|Spanish]]
| recognized_regional_languages = [[San Andrés–Providencia Creole|Creole English]] (in [[San Andrés and Providencia]])<ref>{{cite web |title=Por la cual se dictan normas especiales para la organización y el funcionamiento del Departamento Archipiélago de San Andrés, Providencia y Santa Catalina. |url=http://www.secretariasenado.gov.co/senado/basedoc/ley_0047_1993.html |access-date=18 October 2023 |quote=ARTÍCULO 42. IDIOMA Y LENGUA OFICIAL EN EL DEPARTAMENTO ARCHIPIELAGO. Son oficiales en el Departamento Archipiélago de San Andrés, Providencia y Santa Catalina el castellano y el inglés comunmente hablado por las comunidades nativas del Archipiélago. |archive-date=5 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231105153804/http://www.secretariasenado.gov.co/senado/basedoc/ley_0047_1993.html |url-status=live }}</ref><br>[[Languages of Colombia|64 other languages]]{{ref label|iboxa|a|}}
| ethnic_groups          = {{vunblist
 | {{nowrap|87.58% [[Mestizo Colombians|Mestizo]]-[[White Colombians|White]]{{efn|incl. [[Spanish Colombian|Spaniards]], [[Basque Colombians|Basque]], [[Italian Colombian|Italians]], [[German Colombian|Germans]], [[French Colombian|French]], [[Immigration to Colombia|other Europeans]], [[Arab Colombians|Arabs]] and [[History of the Jews in Colombia|Jews]]}}}}
 | 6.84% [[Afro-Colombians]] 
 | 4.31% [[Indigenous peoples in Colombia|Indigenous]]
 | 0.05% [[Raizal]]
 | 0.01% [[Palenquero]]
 | 0.01% [[Romani people in Colombia|Romani]]
 | 1.35% not stated
}}
| ethnic_groups_year     = 2018 census<ref name="grupos étnicos" /><ref name="ncbi.nlm.nih.gov">{{cite journal| title=Genomic Insights into the Ancestry and Demographic History of South America |year=2015 |pmc=4670080 |last1=Homburger |first1=J. R. |last2=Moreno-Estrada |first2=A. |last3=Gignoux |first3=C. R. |last4=Nelson |first4=D. |last5=Sanchez |first5=E. |last6=Ortiz-Tello |first6=P. |last7=Pons-Estel |first7=B. A. |last8=Acevedo-Vasquez |first8=E. |last9=Miranda |first9=P. |last10=Langefeld |first10=C. D. |last11=Gravel |first11=S. |last12=Alarcón-Riquelme |first12=M. E. |last13=Bustamante |first13=C. D. |journal=PLOS Genetics |volume=11 |issue=12 |pages=e1005602 |doi=10.1371/journal.pgen.1005602 |pmid=26636962 |doi-access=free |issn = 1553-7390}}</ref>
| demonym                = [[Colombians|Colombian]]
| government_type        = Unitary [[Presidential system|presidential republic]]
| leader_title1          = [[President of Colombia|President]]
| leader_name1           = [[Gustavo Petro]]
| leader_title2          = [[Vice President of Colombia|Vice President]]
| leader_name2           = [[Francia Márquez]]
| legislature            = [[Congress of Colombia|Congress]]
| upper_house            = [[Senate of Colombia|Senate]]
| lower_house            = [[Chamber of Representatives of Colombia|Chamber of Representatives]]
| sovereignty_type       = [[Independence]] {{nobold|from Spain}}
| established_event1     = [[Colombian War of Independence|Declared]]
| established_date1      = 20 July 1810
| established_event2     = [[Gran Colombia|Recognized]]
| established_date2      = 7 August 1819
| established_event3     = Last unitisation
| established_date3      = 5 August 1886
| established_event4     = Secession of [[Panama]]
| established_date4      = 6 November 1903
| established_event5     = {{nowrap|[[Colombian Constitution of 1991|Current Constitution]]}}
| established_date5      = 4 July 1991
| area_km2               = 1,141,748
| area_rank              = 25th
| area_sq_mi             = 440,831 <!--Do not remove per [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Dates and numbers]]-->
| percent_water          = 2.1 (as of 2015)<ref>{{cite web|title=Surface water and surface water change|access-date=11 October 2020|publisher=[[Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development]] (OECD)|url=https://stats.oecd.org/Index.aspx?DataSetCode=SURFACE_WATER|archive-date=24 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210324133453/https://stats.oecd.org/Index.aspx?DataSetCode=SURFACE_WATER|url-status=live}}</ref>
| population_estimate    = {{IncreaseNeutral}} 52,695,952<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dane.gov.co/files/censo2018/proyecciones-de-poblacion/Nacional/DCD-area-proypoblacion-Nac-2020-2070.xlsx|title=Proyecciones de Población DANE|access-date=10 April 2023|archive-date=10 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230410005852/https://www.dane.gov.co/files/censo2018/proyecciones-de-poblacion/Nacional/DCD-area-proypoblacion-Nac-2020-2070.xlsx|url-status=live}}</ref>
| population_estimate_year = 2024
| population_estimate_rank = 27th
| population_density_km2 = 46.15
| population_density_rank = 174th
| population_density_sq_mi = 119.54 <!--Do not remove per [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Dates and numbers]]-->
| GDP_PPP                = {{increase}} $1.042 trillion<ref name="IMFWEO.CO">{{cite web |url=https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/WEO/weo-database/2024/April/weo-report?c=233,&s=NGDPD,PPPGDP,NGDPDPC,PPPPC,&sy=2022&ey=2029&ssm=0&scsm=1&scc=0&ssd=1&ssc=0&sic=0&sort=country&ds=.&br=1 |title=World Economic Outlook Database, April 2024 Edition. (Colombia) |publisher=[[International Monetary Fund]] |website=www.imf.org |date=16 April 2024 |access-date=17 April 2024 |archive-date=16 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240416235246/https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/WEO/weo-database/2024/April/weo-report?c=233,&s=NGDPD,PPPGDP,NGDPDPC,PPPPC,&sy=2022&ey=2029&ssm=0&scsm=1&scc=0&ssd=1&ssc=0&sic=0&sort=country&ds=.&br=1 |url-status=live }}</ref>
| GDP_PPP_year           = 2024
| GDP_PPP_rank           = 32nd
| GDP_PPP_per_capita     = {{increase}} $19,770<ref name="IMFWEO.CO" />
| GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank = 82nd
| GDP_nominal            = {{increase}} $386.076 billion<ref name="IMFWEO.CO" />
| GDP_nominal_year       = 2024
| GDP_nominal_rank       = 46th
| GDP_nominal_per_capita = {{increase}} $7,327<ref name="IMFWEO.CO" />
| GDP_nominal_per_capita_rank = 97th
| Gini                   = 54.8 <!--number only-->
| Gini_year              = 2022
| Gini_change            = increase <!--increase/decrease/steady-->
| Gini_ref               = <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/colombia/#economy|title=Colombia - The World Factbook|access-date=September 23, 2024|archive-date=18 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210618105825/https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/colombia/#economy|url-status=live}}</ref>
| HDI                    = 0.788
| HDI_year               = 2023<!-- Please use the year to which the data refers, not the publication year-->
| HDI_change             = increase<!--increase/decrease/steady-->
| HDI_ref                = <ref name="UNHDR">{{Cite web |date=6 May 2025 |title=Human Development Report 2025 |url=https://hdr.undp.org/system/files/documents/global-report-document/hdr2025reporten.pdf|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250506051232/https://hdr.undp.org/system/files/documents/global-report-document/hdr2025reporten.pdf |archive-date=6 May 2025 |access-date=6 May 2025 |publisher=[[United Nations Development Programme]] |language=en}}</ref>
| HDI_rank               = 83rd
| currency               = [[Colombian peso]]
| currency_code          = COP
| time_zone              = [[Time in Colombia|COT]]
| utc_offset             = −5{{ref label|iboxb|b|}}
| date_format            = DMY
| drives_on              = right
| calling_code           = [[Telephone numbers in Colombia|+57]]
| cctld                  = [[.co]]
| footnote_a             = {{note|iboxa}}Although the Colombian Constitution specifies Spanish (''Castellano'') as the [[official language]] in all Colombian territory, other languages spoken in the country by ethnic groups – approximately 68 languages – each is also official in its territory.<ref>
[[Colombian Constitution]] of 1991 (Title I – Concerning Fundamental Principles – Article 10)</ref> English is also official in the [[archipelago of San Andrés, Providencia and Santa Catalina]].<ref name="LEY47DE1993">{{cite web|url=http://www.alcaldiabogota.gov.co/sisjur/normas/Norma1.jsp?i=2780|title=LEY 47 DE 1993|publisher=alcaldiabogota.gov.co|language=es|access-date=23 February 2014|archive-date=11 January 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120111165257/http://www.alcaldiabogota.gov.co/sisjur/normas/Norma1.jsp?i=2780|url-status=live}}</ref>
| footnote_b             = {{note|iboxb}}The official Colombian time<ref>{{cite web|url=http://horalegal.inm.gov.co/|title=The official Colombian time|publisher=horalegal.inm.gov.co|language=es|access-date=23 February 2014|archive-date=9 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140209074753/http://horalegal.inm.gov.co/|url-status=live}}</ref> is controlled and coordinated by the National Institute of Metrology.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.secretariasenado.gov.co/senado/basedoc/decreto_4175_2011.html |title=Decreto 4175 de 2011, artículo 6, numeral 14 |publisher=Presidencia de la República de Colombia |language=es |access-date=14 March 2016 |archive-date=15 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160415083653/http://www.secretariasenado.gov.co/senado/basedoc/decreto_4175_2011.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
}}
'''Colombia''',{{efn|{{IPAc-en|audio=En-Colombia-pronunciation.ogg|k|ə|ˈ|l|ʌ|m|b|i|ə}} {{respell|kə|LUM|bee|ə}}, {{IPAc-en|-|ˈ|l|ɒ|m|-}} {{respell|-|LOM|-}};<ref>{{cite EPD|18}}</ref> {{IPA|es|koˈlombja|lang|Es-Colombia2.oga}}}} officially the '''Republic of Colombia''',{{efn|{{langx|es|{{audio|Es-republica_de_colombia.ogg|República de Colombia}}}}. IPA transcription of "''República de Colombia''": {{IPA|es|reˈpuβlika ðe koˈlombja}}.}} is a country primarily located in [[South America]] with [[Insular region of Colombia|insular regions]] in [[North America]]. The Colombian mainland is bordered by the [[Caribbean Sea]] to the north, [[Venezuela]] to the east and northeast, [[Brazil]] to the southeast, [[Peru]] and [[Ecuador]] to the south and southwest, the [[Pacific Ocean]] to the west, and [[Panama]] to the northwest. Colombia is divided into 32 [[Departments of Colombia|departments]]. The Capital District of [[Bogotá]] is also the [[List of cities in Colombia by population|country's largest city]] hosting the main financial and cultural hub. Other major urban areas include [[Medellín]], [[Cali]], [[Barranquilla]], [[Cartagena, Colombia|Cartagena]], [[Santa Marta]], [[Cúcuta]], [[Ibagué]], [[Villavicencio]] and [[Bucaramanga]]. It covers an area of 1,141,748 square kilometers (440,831 sq mi) and has a population of around 52 million. Its rich [[cultural heritage]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=28 March 2017 |title=Colombia herencia cultural más allá de la colonia |url=https://procolombia.co/archivo/colombia-herencia-cultural-mas-alla-de-la-colonia |access-date=26 February 2023 |website=procolombia.co |language=es |archive-date=26 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230226030316/https://procolombia.co/archivo/colombia-herencia-cultural-mas-alla-de-la-colonia |url-status=live }}</ref>—including language, religion, cuisine, and art—reflects its history as a colony, fusing cultural elements brought by [[Immigration to Colombia|immigration]] from [[Europe]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=News & Events - Irlandeses en Colombia y Antioquia |publisher=Department of Foreign Affairs of Ireland |url=https://www.dfa.ie/irish-embassy/colombia/newsevents/irlandeses-en-colombia-y-antioquia-.html |access-date=7 September 2022 |archive-date=26 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220826014128/https://www.dfa.ie/irish-embassy/colombia/newsevents/irlandeses-en-colombia-y-antioquia-.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=10 June 2019 |title=Estos fueron los primeros alemanes en Colombia |url=https://revistadiners.com.co/cultura/archivo/67972_estos-fueron-los-primero-alemanes-en-colombia/ |access-date=18 December 2021 |newspaper=Revista Diners |language=es |archive-date=5 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221105202158/https://revistadiners.com.co/cultura/archivo/67972_estos-fueron-los-primero-alemanes-en-colombia/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Vidal Ortega |first1=Antonino |last2=D'Amato Castillo |first2=Giuseppe |date=1 December 2015 |title=Los otros, sin patria: italianos en el litoral Caribe de Colombia a comienzos del siglo XX |url=https://journals.openedition.org/caravelle/1822 |journal=Caravelle. Cahiers du monde hispanique et luso-brésilien |language=fr |issue=105 |pages=153–175 |doi=10.4000/caravelle.1822 |issn=1147-6753 |doi-access=free |access-date=26 February 2023 |archive-date=6 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221006231718/https://journals.openedition.org/caravelle/1822 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Salamanca |first1=Helwar Figueroa |last2=Espitia |first2=Julián David Corredor |date=31 July 2019 |title="En una ciudad gris y silenciosa": la migración francesa en Bogotá (1900-1920) |url=https://revistas.uis.edu.co/index.php/anuariohistoria/article/view/9864 |journal=Anuario de Historia Regional y de las Fronteras |language=es |volume=24 |issue=2 |pages=75–100 |doi=10.18273/revanu.v24n2-2019003 |s2cid=203515282 |issn=2145-8499 |doi-access=free |access-date=26 February 2023 |archive-date=6 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230306031553/https://revistas.uis.edu.co/index.php/anuariohistoria/article/view/9864 |url-status=live }}</ref> and the [[Middle East]],<ref name="Posada2">{{cite journal |last1=Fawcett de Posada |first1=Louise |last2=Posada Carbó |first2=Eduardo |date=1992 |title=En la tierra de las oportunidades: los sirio-libaneses en Colombia |trans-title=In the land of opportunity: the Syrian-Lebanese in Colombia |url=https://publicaciones.banrepcultural.org/index.php/boletin_cultural/article/download/2252/2325 |format=PDF |journal=Boletín Cultural y Bibliográfico |language=es |publisher=publicaciones.banrepcultural.org |volume=29 |issue=29 |pages=8–11 |access-date=20 July 2017 |archive-date=2 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160302135545/https://publicaciones.banrepcultural.org/index.php/boletin_cultural/article/download/2252/2325 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=S.A.S |first=Editorial La República |title=Colombia y Medio Oriente |url=https://www.larepublica.co/analisis/simon-gaviria-munoz-401830/colombia-y-medio-oriente-3350223 |access-date=26 February 2023 |website=Diario La República |date=26 April 2022 |language=es |archive-date=24 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221124013227/https://www.larepublica.co/analisis/simon-gaviria-munoz-401830/colombia-y-medio-oriente-3350223 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Tiempo |first=Casa Editorial El |date=7 March 2019 |title=Los palestinos que encontraron un segundo hogar en el centro de Bogotá |url=https://www.eltiempo.com/mundo/mas-regiones/los-palestinos-que-encontraron-un-segundo-hogar-en-el-centro-de-bogota-334782 |access-date=26 February 2023 |website=El Tiempo |language=es |archive-date=31 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221031223716/https://www.eltiempo.com/mundo/mas-regiones/los-palestinos-que-encontraron-un-segundo-hogar-en-el-centro-de-bogota-334782 |url-status=live }}</ref> with those brought by the [[African diaspora]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Faucher |first=Nicolás Murillo |date=11 August 2014 |title=La herencia Africana en Colombia |url=https://librepensador.uexternado.edu.co/la-herencia-africana-en-colombia/ |access-date=26 February 2023 |website=Libre Pensador |language=es |archive-date=27 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230227011004/https://librepensador.uexternado.edu.co/la-herencia-africana-en-colombia/ |url-status=live }}</ref> as well as with those of the various [[Indigenous peoples of the Americas|Indigenous]] civilizations that predate colonization.<ref>{{Cite web |title=El patrimonio cultural de seis pueblos indígenas renace con 'Sembrando Nuestros Saberes' en Colombia |url=https://www.aa.com.tr/es/mundo/el-patrimonio-cultural-de-seis-pueblos-ind%C3%ADgenas-renace-con-sembrando-nuestros-saberes-en-colombia/2107884 |access-date=26 February 2023 |website=aa.com.tr |archive-date=26 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230226030314/https://www.aa.com.tr/es/mundo/el-patrimonio-cultural-de-seis-pueblos-ind%C3%ADgenas-renace-con-sembrando-nuestros-saberes-en-colombia/2107884 |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Spanish language|Spanish]] is the [[official language]], although [[San Andrés–Providencia Creole|Creole, English]] and [[Languages of Colombia|64 other languages]] are recognized regionally.

Colombia has been home to many [[Indigenous peoples in Colombia|indigenous peoples and cultures]] since at least 12,000 BCE. The Spanish first landed in [[Guajira Peninsula|La Guajira]] in 1499, and by the mid-16th century, they had colonized much of present-day Colombia, and established the [[New Kingdom of Granada]], with [[Santa Fé de Bogotá|Santa Fe de Bogotá]] as its capital. [[Colombian War of Independence|Independence]] from the [[Spanish Empire]] is considered to have been declared in 1810, with what is now Colombia emerging as the [[United Provinces of New Granada]]. After a brief [[Spanish reconquest of New Granada|Spanish reconquest]], Colombian independence was secured and the period of [[Gran Colombia]] began in 1819. The new polity experimented with federalism as the [[Granadine Confederation]] (1858) and then the [[United States of Colombia]] (1863), before becoming a centralised republic—the current Republic of Colombia—in [[Colombian Constitution of 1886|1886]]. With the backing of the United States and France, [[Separation of Panama from Colombia|Panama seceded]] from Colombia in 1903, resulting in Colombia's present borders. Beginning in the 1960s, the country has suffered from an asymmetric low-intensity [[Colombian conflict|armed conflict]] and political violence, both of which escalated in the 1990s. Since 2005, there has been significant improvement in security, stability, and rule of law, as well as unprecedented economic growth and development.<ref name="Enough Already!" /><ref name="Colombia's GDP growth" /> Colombia is recognized for its [[Health care in Colombia|healthcare system]], being the best healthcare in [[Latin America]] according to the [[World Health Organization]] and 22nd in the world.<ref>{{Cite web |title=World Health Organization Assesses the World's Health Systems |url=https://www.who.int/news/item/07-02-2000-world-health-organization-assesses-the-world%27s-health-systems |access-date=30 March 2023 |publisher=World Health Organization |language=en |archive-date=9 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190409230742/https://www.who.int/whr/2000/media_centre/press_release/en/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Colombia Healthcare System |url=https://www.internationalinsurance.com/health/systems/colombia.php |access-date=30 March 2023 |website=International Citizens Insurance |language=en-US |archive-date=30 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230330020716/https://www.internationalinsurance.com/health/systems/colombia.php |url-status=live }}</ref> Its [[Economy of Colombia|diversified economy]] is the third-largest in South America, with macroeconomic stability and favorable long-term growth prospects.<ref name="GDP" /><ref name="strongmacroeconomicmanagement" />

Colombia is one of the world's seventeen [[megadiverse countries]]; it has the highest level of [[Biodiversity of Colombia|biodiversity]] per square mile in the world and the second-highest level overall.<ref name="Biodiversity of Colombia" /> Its territory encompasses [[Amazon natural region|Amazon rainforest]], [[Andean natural region|highlands]], [[Orinoquía natural region|grasslands]] and [[Tatacoa Desert|deserts]]. It is the only country in South America with coastlines (and islands) along both the [[Caribbean natural region|Atlantic]] and [[Pacific/Chocó natural region|Pacific]] oceans. Colombia is a key member of major global and regional organizations including the [[United Nations|UN]], the [[World Trade Organization|WTO]], the [[OECD]], the [[Organization of American States|OAS]], the [[Pacific Alliance]] and the [[Andean Community]]; it is also a [[NATO]] Global Partner<ref>{{cite web |title=NATO - Topic: Relations with Colombia |url=https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/topics_143936.htm |website=Nato.int |access-date=30 August 2022 |archive-date=30 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220830174315/https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/topics_143936.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> and a [[major non-NATO ally]] of the [[United States]].<ref name=":1">{{cite web |last1=Samuels |first1=Brett |date=10 March 2022 |title=Biden designates Colombia as major non-NATO ally |url=https://thehill.com/latino/597747-biden-designates-colombia-as-major-non-nato-ally |access-date=27 November 2022 |website=The Hill |archive-date=18 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231118223318/https://thehill.com/latino/597747-biden-designates-colombia-as-major-non-nato-ally/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Etymology ==

The name "Colombia" is derived from the last name of the Italian navigator [[Christopher Columbus]] ({{langx|la|Christophorus Columbus}}, {{langx|it|Cristoforo Colombo}}, {{langx|es|link=no|Cristóbal Colón}}). It was conceived as a reference to all of the New World.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.banrepcultural.org/|title=La Red Cultural del Banco de la República|first=Subgerencia Cultural del Banco de la|last=República|website=banrepcultural.org|access-date=20 October 2020|archive-date=1 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210501114213/https://www.banrepcultural.org/|url-status=dead}}</ref> The name was later adopted by the [[Gran Colombia|Republic of Colombia]] of 1819, formed from the territories of the old [[Viceroyalty of New Granada]] (modern-day Colombia, Panama, Venezuela, Ecuador, and northwest Brazil).<ref name="LABLAA5">{{cite web |author=Carlos Restrepo Piedrahita |url=http://www.lablaa.org/blaavirtual/revistas/credencial/febrero1992/febrero2.htm |title=El nombre "Colombia", El único país que lleva el nombre del Descubrimiento |work=Revista Credencial |date=February 1992 |access-date=29 February 2008 |language=es |archive-date=5 January 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080105031144/http://www.lablaa.org/blaavirtual/revistas/credencial/febrero1992/febrero2.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref>

When Venezuela, Ecuador, and [[Cundinamarca Department (1820)|Cundinamarca]] came to exist as independent states, the former [[Provinces of the Republic of New Granada|Department of Cundinamarca]] adopted the name "[[Republic of New Granada]]". New Granada officially changed its name in 1858 to the [[Granadine Confederation]]. In 1863 the name was again changed, this time to [[United States of Colombia]], before finally adopting its present name – the Republic of Colombia – in 1886.<ref name="LABLAA5" />

To refer to this country, the Colombian government uses the terms {{lang|es|Colombia}} and {{lang|es|República de Colombia}}.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Helena Guedes|first=Maria|title=A Grande Colômbia!|publisher=Clube de Autores|pages=141}}</ref>

== History ==
{{Main|History of Colombia|Timeline of Colombian history}}

=== Pre-Columbian<!--This is NOT a typo. Before Christopher Columbus, not before Colombia --> era ===
{{Main|Pre-Columbian cultures of Colombia}}
[[File:Culturas precolombinas de Colombia.png|thumb|left|Location map of the pre-Columbian cultures of Colombia]]
Owing to its location, the present territory of Colombia was a corridor of early human civilization from [[Mesoamerica]] and the [[Caribbean]] to the [[Andes]] and [[Amazon basin]]. The oldest archaeological finds are from the [[Pubenza archaeological site|Pubenza]] and [[El Totumo archaeological site|El Totumo]] sites in the Magdalena Valley {{convert|100|km|mi|sp=us}} southwest of Bogotá.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Correal|first=Urrego G.|title=Nuevas evidencias culturales pleistocenicas y megafauna en Colombia|journal=Boletin de Arqueologia|year=1993|issue=8|pages=3–13}}</ref> These sites date from the [[Paleo-Indians|Paleoindian]] period (18,000–8000&nbsp;BCE). At [[Puerto Hormiga archaeological site|Puerto Hormiga]] and other sites, traces from the [[Archaic Period (Americas)|Archaic Period]] (~8000–2000&nbsp;BCE) have been found. Vestiges indicate that there was also early occupation in the regions of [[El Abra]] and [[Tequendama]] in [[Cundinamarca Department|Cundinamarca]]. The oldest pottery discovered in the Americas, found in [[San Jacinto, Bolívar|San Jacinto]], dates to 5000–4000&nbsp;BCE.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Hoopes|first=John|title=Ford Revisited: A Critical Review of the Chronology and Relationships of the Earliest Ceramic Complexes in the New World, 6000-1500 B.C. (1994)|journal=Journal of World Prehistory|year=1994|volume=8|issue=1|pages=1–50|doi=10.1007/bf02221836|s2cid=161916440|url=https://zenodo.org/record/848786|access-date=6 September 2019|archive-date=21 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181021232542/https://zenodo.org/record/848786|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=San Jacinto |url=https://artsandculture.google.com/story/san-jacinto-museo-mapuka-uninorte/fwVRd9f5IBOQag?hl=en |access-date=2025-05-16 |website=Google Arts & Culture |language=en}}</ref>

Indigenous people inhabited the territory that is now Colombia by 12,500&nbsp;BCE. Nomadic [[hunter-gatherer]] tribes at the El Abra, [[Tibitó]] and Tequendama sites near present-day [[Bogotá]] traded with one another and with other cultures from the [[Magdalena River]] Valley.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Van der Hammen |first1=Thomas |last2=Urrego |first2=Gonzalo Correal |title=Prehistoric man of the Sabana de Bogotá: Data for an ecological prehistory |journal=Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology |date=September 1978 |volume=25 |issue=1–2 |pages=179–190 |doi=10.1016/0031-0182(78)90077-9 |bibcode=1978PPP....25..179V }}</ref> A site including {{Convert|8|mi|0|spell=in|sp=us}} of [[Pictogram|pictographs]] that is under study at Serranía de la Lindosa was revealed in November 2020.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/science/2020/nov/29/sistine-chapel-of-the-ancients-rock-art-discovered-in-remote-amazon-forest |title=Sistine Chapel of the ancients' rock art discovered in remote Amazon forest |last=Alberge |first=Dalya |date=29 November 2020 |website=[[The Guardian]] |access-date=16 June 2021 |archive-date=30 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201130165841/https://www.theguardian.com/science/2020/nov/29/sistine-chapel-of-the-ancients-rock-art-discovered-in-remote-amazon-forest |url-status=live }}</ref> Their age is suggested as being 12,500 years old (c. 10,480 B.C.) by the anthropologists working on the site, because of extinct fauna depicted. It was during the earliest known human occupation of the area.

Between 5000 and 1000&nbsp;BCE, hunter-gatherer tribes transitioned to agrarian societies; fixed settlements were established, and pottery appeared. Beginning in the 1st millennium BCE, groups of [[Indigenous peoples of the Americas|Amerindians]] including the [[Muisca]], [[Zenú]], [[Quimbaya civilization|Quimbaya]], and [[Tairona]] developed the political system of ''[[cacicazgo]]s'' with a pyramidal structure of power headed by ''caciques''. The Muisca inhabited mainly the area of what is now the [[Departments of Colombia|Departments]] of [[Boyacá Department|Boyacá]] and [[Cundinamarca Department|Cundinamarca]] high plateau (''[[Altiplano Cundiboyacense]]'') where they formed the [[Muisca Confederation]]. They farmed maize, potato, quinoa, and cotton, and traded gold, [[Colombian emeralds|emeralds]], blankets, ceramic handicrafts, coca and especially [[Halite|rock salt]] with neighboring nations. The Tairona inhabited northern Colombia in the isolated mountain range of [[Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta]].<ref>{{cite journal |last=Broadbent |first=Sylvia |year=1965 |title=Los Chibchas: organización socio-polític |journal=Serie Latinoamericana |volume=5 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Anderson |first=Jon Lee |date=2018-03-20 |title=Stepping Beyond Cartagena: Exploring Colombia's Northern Reaches |url=https://www.cntraveler.com/story/stepping-beyond-cartagena-exploring-colombias-northern-reaches |access-date=2025-05-16 |website=Condé Nast Traveler |language=en-US}}</ref> The Quimbaya inhabited regions of the [[Cauca River]] Valley between the [[Cordillera Occidental (Colombia)|Western]] and [[Cordillera Central (Colombia)|Central]] Ranges of the Colombian Andes.<ref>{{cite book|title=Los indios de Colombia|volume=7|author1=Álvaro Chaves Mendoza|author2=Jorge Morales Gómez|publisher=Editorial Abya Yala|isbn=978-9978-04-169-7|year=1995|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=txJH1_qweSMC&pg=PA1|language=es|access-date=26 December 2021|archive-date=2 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240202233343/https://books.google.com/books?id=txJH1_qweSMC&pg=PA1#v=onepage&q&f=false|url-status=live}}</ref> Most of the Amerindians practiced agriculture and the social structure of each indigenous community was different. Some groups of indigenous people such as the Caribs lived in a state of permanent war, but others had less bellicose attitudes.<ref>{{cite web|title=Historia de Colombia: el establecimiento de la dominación española – Los Pueblos Indígenas del Territorio Colombiano|url=http://www.banrepcultural.org/blaavirtual/historia/hicol/hico3.htm|publisher=banrepcultural.org|language=es|access-date=20 September 2016|archive-date=9 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171109083852/http://www.banrepcultural.org/blaavirtual/historia/hicol/hico3.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> During the 1200s, [[Austronesian expansion|Malayo-Polynesian]]s and [[Indigenous peoples in Colombia|Native Americans]] in Colombia made contact, thereby spreading Native American genetics from Precolonial Colombia to some Pacific Ocean islands.<ref>{{cite web | title=Polynesians, Native Americans made contact before European arrival, genetic study finds | website=Phys.org | date=2020-07-08 | url=https://phys.org/news/2020-07-polynesians-native-americans-contact-european.html }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |title=Native American gene flow into Polynesia predating Easter Island settlement by Alexander G. Ioannidis et al. |journal=Nature |date=July 2020 |volume=583 |issue=7817 |pages=572–577 |doi=10.1038/s41586-020-2487-2 |last1=Ioannidis |first1=Alexander G. |last2=Blanco-Portillo |first2=Javier |last3=Sandoval |first3=Karla |last4=Hagelberg |first4=Erika |last5=Miquel-Poblete |first5=Juan Francisco |last6=Moreno-Mayar |first6=J. Víctor |last7=Rodríguez-Rodríguez |first7=J. E. |last8=Quinto-Cortés |first8=Consuelo D. |last9=Auckland |first9=Kathryn |last10=Parks |first10=Tom |last11=Robson |first11=Kathryn |last12=Hill |first12=Adrian V. S. |last13=Avila-Arcos |first13=María C. |last14=Sockell |first14=Alexandra |last15=Homburger |first15=Julian R. |last16=Wojcik |first16=Genevieve L. |last17=Barnes |first17=Kathleen C. |last18=Herrera |first18=Luisa |last19=Berríos |first19=Soledad |last20=Acuña |first20=Mónica |last21=Llop |first21=Elena |last22=Eng |first22=Celeste |last23=Huntsman |first23=Scott |last24=Burchard |first24=Esteban G. |last25=Gignoux |first25=Christopher R. |last26=Cifuentes |first26=Lucía |last27=Verdugo |first27=Ricardo A. |last28=Moraga |first28=Mauricio |last29=Mentzer |first29=Alexander J. |last30=Bustamante |first30=Carlos D. |pmid=32641827 |pmc=8939867 |display-authors=1 }}</ref>

=== Colonial period ===
{{Main|New Kingdom of Granada|Viceroyalty of New Granada}}
{{See also|Spanish conquest of New Granada|Spanish conquest of the Muisca|Spanish colonization of the Americas|Spanish Empire}}
[[File:Retrato_de_Vasco_Nuñez_de_Balboa_(1475-1517)_-_Anónimo.jpg|upright|thumb|[[Vasco Núñez de Balboa]], founder of [[Santa María la Antigua del Darién]], the first stable European settlement on the continent]]

[[Alonso de Ojeda]] (who had sailed with Columbus) reached the [[Guajira Peninsula]] in 1499.<ref name="LABLAA6">{{cite web|author=Nicolás del Castillo Mathieu|url=http://www.lablaa.org/blaavirtual/revistas/credencial/marzo1992/marzo3.htm|title=La primera vision de las costas Colombianas, Repaso de Historia|work=Revista Credencial|date=March 1992|access-date=29 February 2008|language=es|archive-date=19 October 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071019045321/http://www.lablaa.org/blaavirtual/revistas/credencial/marzo1992/marzo3.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.biografiasyvidas.com/biografia/o/ojeda.htm|title=Alonso de Ojeda|publisher=biografiasyvidas.com|language=es|access-date=2 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140704180050/http://www.biografiasyvidas.com/biografia/o/ojeda.htm|archive-date=4 July 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> Spanish explorers, led by [[Rodrigo de Bastidas]], made the first exploration of the [[Caribbean Basin|Caribbean coast]] in 1500.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.biografiasyvidas.com/biografia/b/bastidas.htm|title=Rodrigo de Bastidas|publisher=biografiasyvidas.com|language=es|access-date=2 April 2014|archive-date=23 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210423173935/http://www.biografiasyvidas.com/biografia/b/bastidas.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Christopher Columbus]] navigated near the Caribbean in 1502.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.biografiasyvidas.com/biografia/c/colon_cristobal.htm|title=Cristóbal Colón|publisher=biografiasyvidas.com|language=es|access-date=2 April 2014|archive-date=6 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140306173922/http://www.biografiasyvidas.com/biografia/c/colon_cristobal.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> In 1508, [[Vasco Núñez de Balboa]] accompanied an expedition to the territory through the region of [[Gulf of Urabá]] and they founded the town of [[Santa María la Antigua del Darién]] in 1510, the first stable settlement on the continent.{{efn|Balboa is best known for being the first European to see the Pacific Ocean in 1513, which he called ''Mar del Sur'' (or "Sea of the South") and would facilitate Spanish exploration and settlement of South America.}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.biografiasyvidas.com/biografia/b/balboa.htm|title=Vasco Núñez de Balboa|publisher=biografiasyvidas.com|language=es|access-date=2 April 2014|archive-date=7 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407072547/http://www.biografiasyvidas.com/biografia/b/balboa.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Santa Marta]] was founded in 1525,<ref>{{cite book|title=La gobernación de Santa Marta (1570–1670) Vol. 232|author=Vázquez, Trinidad Miranda|publisher=Editorial CSIC-CSIC Press|isbn=978-84-00-04276-9|year=1976|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=m5zI94b6u_4C&pg=PP1|page=3|language=es|access-date=26 December 2021|archive-date=2 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240202233342/https://books.google.com/books?id=m5zI94b6u_4C&pg=PP1#v=onepage&q&f=false|url-status=live}}</ref> and [[Cartagena, Colombia|Cartagena]] in 1533.<ref>{{cite book|title=Cartagena de Indias en el siglo XVI. Vol. 288|author=Plá, María del Carmen Borrego|publisher=Editorial CSIC-CSIC Press|isbn=978-84-00-05440-3|year=1983|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hV-bQJo8wOIC&pg=PP1|pages=3–5|language=es|access-date=26 December 2021|archive-date=2 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240202233355/https://books.google.com/books?id=hV-bQJo8wOIC&pg=PP1#v=onepage&q&f=false|url-status=live}}</ref> Spanish [[conquistador]] [[Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada]] led an expedition to the interior in April 1536, and christened the districts through which he passed "[[New Kingdom of Granada]]". In August 1538, he provisionally founded its capital near the Muisca [[cacicazgo]] of [[Bacatá|Muyquytá]], and named it "Santa Fe". The name soon acquired a suffix and was called Santa Fe de Bogotá.<ref>{{cite book|title=Invading Colombia: Spanish accounts of the Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada expedition of conquest Vol. 1|editor1-link=J. Michael Francis|editor=Francis, John Michael|publisher=Penn State Press|isbn=978-0-271-02936-8|year=2007|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=P1DEFqZ6c5QC&pg=PP1|access-date=26 December 2021|archive-date=2 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240202233341/https://books.google.com/books?id=P1DEFqZ6c5QC&pg=PP1#v=onepage&q&f=false|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="JaramilloUribe1989">{{Cite journal |last=Jaramillo Uribe |first=Jaime |year=1989 |title=Perfil histórico de Bogotá |url=https://revistas.uniandes.edu.co/index.php/hiscrit/article/view/3641 |journal=Historia Crítica |language=es |issue=1 |pages=5–19 |doi=10.7440/histcrit1.1989.01 |issn=0121-1617 |archive-date=2 May 2024 |access-date=7 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240502215357/https://revistas.uniandes.edu.co/index.php/hiscrit/article/view/3641 |url-status=live }}</ref> Two other notable journeys by early conquistadors to the interior took place in the same period. [[Sebastián de Belalcázar]], conqueror of [[Quito]], traveled north and founded [[Cali]], in 1536, and [[Popayán]], in 1537;<ref>{{cite book|title=La encomienda en Popayán: tres estudios|author=Silvia Padilla Altamirano|publisher=Editorial CSIC Press|isbn=978-84-00-03612-6|year=1977|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=785fTqvsPSEC&pg=PP1|pages=4–5|language=es|access-date=26 December 2021|archive-date=2 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240202233342/https://books.google.com/books?id=785fTqvsPSEC&pg=PP1#v=onepage&q&f=false|url-status=live}}</ref> from 1536 to 1539, German conquistador [[Nikolaus Federmann]] crossed the [[Orinoquía natural region|Llanos Orientales]] and went over the [[Cordillera Oriental (Colombia)|Cordillera Oriental]] in a search for [[El Dorado]], the "city of gold".<ref>{{cite book|title=El dorado en el pantano|author=Massimo Livi Bacci|publisher=Marcial Pons Historia|isbn=978-84-92820-65-8|year=2012|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tMEp1OPtF7QC&pg=PP1|language=es|access-date=26 December 2021|archive-date=2 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240202233402/https://books.google.com/books?id=tMEp1OPtF7QC&pg=PP1#v=onepage&q&f=false|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |author1=Ramírez, Natalia |author2=Gutiérrez, Germán |url=http://www.bdigital.unal.edu.co/5001/ |title=Félix de Azara: Observaciones conductuales en su viaje por el Virreinato del Río de la Plata |journal=Revista de historia de la psicología |volume=31 |issue=4 |year=2010 |pages=52–53 |access-date=17 May 2016 |archive-date=17 June 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160617142800/http://www.bdigital.unal.edu.co/5001/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> The legend and the gold would play a pivotal role in luring the Spanish and other Europeans to New Granada during the 16th and 17th centuries.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://science.nationalgeographic.com/science/archaeology/el-dorado/| work=National Geographic| title=El Dorado Legend Snared Sir Walter Raleigh| access-date=23 August 2013| archive-date=13 February 2017| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170213054547/http://science.nationalgeographic.com/science/archaeology/el-dorado/| url-status=dead}}</ref>

The [[List of conquistadors in Colombia|conquistadors]] made frequent alliances with the enemies of different indigenous communities. [[Indian auxiliaries|Indigenous allies]] were crucial to conquest, as well as to creating and maintaining empire.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://queaprendemoshoy.com/la-conquista-del-nuevo-reino-de-granada-la-interpretacion-de-los-siete-mitos-iii/|title=La Conquista del Nuevo Reino de Granada: la interpretación de los siete mitos (III) – RESTALL, Matthew: Los siete mitos de la conquista española, Barcelona, 2004|publisher=queaprendemoshoy.com/|language=es|access-date=21 September 2016|archive-date=9 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200209181225/http://queaprendemoshoy.com/la-conquista-del-nuevo-reino-de-granada-la-interpretacion-de-los-siete-mitos-iii/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Indigenous peoples in Colombia experienced a decline in population due to conquest as well as Eurasian diseases, such as [[smallpox]], to which they had no immunity.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.icanh.gov.co/recursos_user/documentos/editores/201/Articulos/SociedadesIndigenas-Reyes2009.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://www.icanh.gov.co/recursos_user/documentos/editores/201/Articulos/SociedadesIndigenas-Reyes2009.pdf |archive-date=9 October 2022 |url-status=live|title=Las sociedades indígenas del Nuevo Reino de Granada bajo el dominio español|author=Jorge Augusto Gamboa M.|publisher=Instituto Colombiano de Antropología e Historia|language=es}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.colombiaaprende.edu.co/html/productos/1685/articles-242836_proyecto_documento.pdf|title=Las plantas medicinales en la época de la colonia y de la independencia|publisher=colombiaaprende.edu.co|language=es|access-date=7 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140408212640/http://www.colombiaaprende.edu.co/html/productos/1685/articles-242836_proyecto_documento.pdf|archive-date=8 April 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> Regarding the land as deserted, the Spanish Crown sold properties to all persons interested in colonized territories, creating large farms and possession of mines.<ref name="TierrasColonia">{{cite web|url=http://www.banrepcultural.org/blaavirtual/revistas/credencial/mayo2002/propdetierras.htm|title=La propiedad de tierras en la Colonia: Mercedes, composición de títulos y resguardos indígenas|author=Mayorga, Fernando|publisher=Revista Credencial Historia|website=banrepcultural.org|year=2002|language=es|access-date=7 April 2014|archive-date=8 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140408213109/http://www.banrepcultural.org/blaavirtual/revistas/credencial/mayo2002/propdetierras.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="EconomíaColonial">{{cite web|url=http://www.banrepcultural.org/blaavirtual/economia/histecon/histecon2a.htm|title=Historia económica y órdenes de magnitud, Capítulo 1: La Formación de la Economía Colonial (1500–1740).|author=Germán Colmenares|publisher=banrepcultural.org|language=es|access-date=7 April 2014|archive-date=9 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171109160412/http://www.banrepcultural.org/blaavirtual/economia/histecon/histecon2a.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="políticaeconómica">{{cite web|url=http://admin.banrepcultural.org/sites/default/files/lablaa/revistas/revanuario/ancolh11/articul/art5/art5a.pdf |title=La política económica virreinal en el Nuevo Reino de Granada: 1750–1810 |author=Margarita González |publisher=banrepcultural.org |language=es |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140408211849/http://admin.banrepcultural.org/sites/default/files/lablaa/revistas/revanuario/ancolh11/articul/art5/art5a.pdf |archive-date=8 April 2014 }}</ref> In the 16th century, the [[Navigation|nautical science]] in Spain reached a great development thanks to numerous scientific figures of the [[Casa de Contratación]] and nautical science was an essential pillar of the [[Iberian ship development, 1400–1600|Iberian expansion]].<ref name="Alonso de Santa Cruz">{{cite journal |last1=Domingo |first1=Mariano Cuesta |title=Alonso de Santa Cruz, cartógrafo y fabricante de instrumentos náuticos de la Casa de Contratación |trans-title=Alonso de Santa Cruz, Cartographer and Maker of Nautical Instruments of the Spanish Casa de Contratación |language=es |journal=Revista Complutense de Historia de América |date=2004 |volume=30 |pages=7–40 |url=https://dialnet.unirioja.es/servlet/articulo?codigo=1086671 |access-date=13 November 2020 |archive-date=3 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210203234102/https://dialnet.unirioja.es/servlet/articulo?codigo=1086671 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 1542, the region of New Granada, along with all other Spanish possessions in South America, became part of the [[Viceroyalty of Peru]], with its capital in [[Lima]].<ref>{{cite book|title=Empires of the Atlantic World: Britain and Spain in America, 1492–1830|author=John Huxtable Elliott|publisher=Yale University Press|isbn=978-0-300-12399-9|year=2007|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Q6ucuphGA3YC&pg=PA124|pages=124–125|access-date=9 November 2020|archive-date=2 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240202233440/https://books.google.com/books?id=Q6ucuphGA3YC&pg=PA124|url-status=live}}</ref> In 1547, New Granada became a separate captaincy-general within the viceroyalty, with its capital at Santa Fe de Bogota.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Shaw|first=Jeffrey M.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vt-vDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA429|title=Religion and Contemporary Politics: A Global Encyclopedia|year=2019|isbn=9781440839337|pages=429|publisher=Abc-Clio|access-date=19 March 2023|archive-date=15 July 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230715073548/https://books.google.com/books?id=vt-vDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA429|url-status=live}}</ref> In 1549, the [[Real Audiencia|Royal Audiencia]] was created by a royal decree, and New Granada was ruled by the [[Royal Audience of Santa Fe de Bogotá]], which at that time comprised the provinces of Santa Marta, Rio de San Juan, Popayán, Guayana and Cartagena.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.congreso.gob.pe/ntley/Imagenes/LeyIndia/0102015.pdf |title=Law VIII ("Royal Audiencia and Chancery of Santa Fe in the New Kingdom of Granada") of Title XV ("Of the Royal Audiencias and Chanceries of the Indies") of Book II |publisher=congreso.gob.pe |access-date=4 April 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140629092003/http://www.congreso.gob.pe/ntley/Imagenes/LeyIndia/0102015.pdf |archive-date=29 June 2014 }}</ref> But important decisions were taken from the colony to Spain by the [[Council of the Indies]].<ref>{{cite book|url=http://www.archivobogota.gov.co/libreria/pdf/LIBRO_PATRIMONIO_DOCUMENTAL.pdf |title=El patrimonio documental de Bogotá, Siglos XVI – XIX: Instituciones y Archivos |author1=Fernando Mayorga García |author2=Juana M. Marín Leoz |author3=Adelaida Sourdis Nájera |publisher=Subdirección Imprenta Distrital – D.D.D.I |isbn=978-958-717-064-1|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407095333/http://www.archivobogota.gov.co/libreria/pdf/LIBRO_PATRIMONIO_DOCUMENTAL.pdf |archive-date=7 April 2014 |year=2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Encomienda y mita en Nueva Granada en el siglo XVII|author=Julián Bautista Ruiz Rivera|publisher=Editorial CSIC Press|isbn=978-84-00-04176-2|year=1975|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5R0dPbOImsUC&pg=PP1|pages=xxi–xxii|access-date=7 December 2018|archive-date=2 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240202233403/https://books.google.com/books?id=5R0dPbOImsUC&pg=PP1#v=onepage&q&f=false|url-status=live}}</ref>
[[File:Defensa de Cartagena de Indias por la escuadra de D. Blas de Lezo, año 1741.jpg|thumb|left|An illustration of the [[Battle of Cartagena de Indias]], a major Spanish victory in the [[War of Jenkins' Ear]]<ref name="BattleofCartagena" />]]

In the 16th century, European slave traders had begun to bring [[Atlantic slave trade|enslaved Africans]] to the Americas. Spain was the only European power that did not establish [[Factory (trading post)|factories]] in Africa to purchase slaves; the Spanish Empire instead relied on the [[asiento]] system, awarding merchants from other European nations the license to trade enslaved peoples to their overseas territories.<ref>{{cite book|title=Génesis y desarrollo de la esclavitud en Colombia siglos XVI y XVII|publisher=Universidad del Valle|isbn=978-958-670-338-3|year=2005|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PH_cf27ucZAC&pg=PP1|language=es}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Los místeres de las minas: crónica de la colonia europea más grande de Colombia en el siglo XIX, surgida alrededor de las minas de Marmato, Supía y Riosucio|author=Alvaro Gärtner|publisher=Universidad de Caldas|isbn=978-958-8231-42-6|year=2005|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5cUdM30KwxkC&pg=PP1|access-date=7 December 2018|archive-date=21 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240221121101/https://books.google.com/books?id=5cUdM30KwxkC&pg=PP1#v=onepage&q&f=false|url-status=live}}</ref> This system brought Africans to Colombia, although many spoke out against the institution.{{efn|A royal decree of 1713 approved the legality of [[Palenque de San Basilio]] founded by runaway slaves as a refuge in the seventeenth century. The people of San Basilio fought against slavery, thereby giving rise to the first free place in the Americas.<ref>{{cite book|title=Palenque, Cartagena y Afro-Caribe: historia y lengua|first1=Yves|last1=Moñino|first2=Armin|last2=Schwegler|publisher=Walter de Gruyter|isbn=978-3-11-096022-8|year=2002|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mv4iAAAAQBAJ&pg=PR1|pages=vii–ix, 21–35|access-date=26 December 2021|archive-date=21 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240221121101/https://books.google.com/books?id=mv4iAAAAQBAJ&pg=PR1#v=onepage&q&f=false|url-status=live}}</ref> Its main leader was [[Benkos Bioho|Benkos Biohó]], who was born in West Africa.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.urosario.edu.co/Subsitio/Catedra-de-Estudios-Afrocolombianos/Documentos/03-Presentacion-Dossier-Unesco---Palenque-de-San-B.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://www.urosario.edu.co/Subsitio/Catedra-de-Estudios-Afrocolombianos/Documentos/03-Presentacion-Dossier-Unesco---Palenque-de-San-B.pdf |archive-date=9 October 2022 |url-status=live|title=Palenque de San Basilio |publisher=urosario.edu.co|language=es}}</ref>}}{{efn|[[Peter Claver]] was a Spaniard who traveled to Cartagena in 1610 and was ordained as a [[Jesuit]] priest in 1616. Claver cared for African slaves for thirty-eight years, defending their lives and the [[dignity]].<ref>Proceso de beatificación y canonización de San Pedro Claver. Edición de 1696. Traducción del latín y del italiano, y notas de Anna María Splendiani y Tulio Aristizábal S. J. Pontificia Universidad Javeriana. Universidad Católica del Táchira. 2002.</ref><ref>Valtierra, Ángel. 1964. San Pedro Claver, el santo que liberó una raza.</ref>}} The indigenous peoples could not be enslaved because they were legally [[Commoners|subjects]] of the Spanish Crown.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gabrielbernat.es/espana/esclavitud/index.html|title=La esclavitud negra en la América española|publisher=gabrielbernat.es|year=2003|language=es|access-date=20 September 2016|archive-date=26 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161126033717/http://www.gabrielbernat.es/espana/esclavitud/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> To protect the indigenous peoples, several forms of land ownership and regulation were established by the Spanish colonial authorities: ''resguardos'', ''encomiendas'' and ''haciendas''.<ref name="TierrasColonia" /><ref name="EconomíaColonial" /><ref name="políticaeconómica" />

However, secret anti-Spanish discontentment was already brewing for Colombians since Spain prohibited direct trade between the [[Viceroyalty of Peru]], which included Colombia, and the [[Viceroyalty of New Spain]], which included the Philippines, the source of Asian products like silk and porcelain which was in demand in the Americas. Illegal trade between Peruvians, Filipinos, and Mexicans continued in secret, as smuggled Asian goods ended up in [[Córdoba Department|Córdoba, Colombia]], the distribution center for illegal Asian imports, due to the collusion between these peoples against the authorities in Spain. They settled and traded with each other while disobeying the forced Spanish monopoly.<ref>{{cite journal |doi=10.1515/sai-2022-0008 |title=El Galeón de Manila y el comercio de Asia: Encuentro de culturas y sistemas |journal=Interacción Sino-Iberoamericana / Sino-Iberoamerican Interaction |date=March 2022 |volume=2 |issue=1 |pages=85–109 |last1=Villamar |first1=Cuauhtemoc |s2cid=249318172 |doi-access=free }}</ref>
[[File:Viceroyalty_of_New_Granada_(orthographic_projection).svg|thumb|Map of the [[Viceroyalty of New Granada]]]]

The [[Viceroyalty of New Granada]] was established in 1717, then temporarily removed, and then re-established in 1739. Its capital was Santa Fé de Bogotá. This Viceroyalty included some other provinces of northwestern South America that had previously been under the jurisdiction of the [[New Spain|Viceroyalties of New Spain]] or [[Viceroyalty of Peru|Peru]] and correspond mainly to today's Venezuela, Ecuador, and Panama. Bogotá became one of the principal administrative centers of the Spanish possessions in the New World, along with [[Lima]] and [[Mexico City]], though it remained less developed compared to those two cities in several economic and logistical ways.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://institucional.us.es/tamericanistas/uploads/revista/13/RUIZ-RIVERA..pdf |title=Reformismo local en el nuevo Reino de Granada. Temas americanistas N° 13 |author=Rivera, Julián Bautista Ruiz |year=1997 |pages=80–98 |language=es |access-date=8 April 2014 |archive-date=3 November 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141103045601/http://institucional.us.es/tamericanistas/uploads/revista/13/RUIZ-RIVERA..pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Transferring Wealth and Power from the Old to the New World: Monetary and Fiscal Institutions in the 17th Through the 19th Centuries – Chapter 12|author1=Jaime U. Jaramillo |author2=Adolfo R. Maisel |author3=Miguel M. Urrutia|publisher=Cambridge University Press|isbn=978-0-521-02727-4|year=1997|url=http://www.banrep.gov.co/sites/default/files/publicaciones/archivos/borra074.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://www.banrep.gov.co/sites/default/files/publicaciones/archivos/borra074.pdf |archive-date=9 October 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref>

[[Kingdom of Great Britain|Great Britain]] declared war [[War of Jenkins' Ear|on Spain]] in 1739, and the city of Cartagena quickly became a top target for the British. A massive British expeditionary force was dispatched to capture the city, but, after achieving initial inroads, devastating outbreaks of disease crippled their numbers, and the British were forced to withdraw. The battle became one of Spain's most decisive victories in the conflict, and secured Spanish dominance in the Caribbean until the [[Seven Years' War]].<ref name="BattleofCartagena">{{cite book|title=Conflictos coloniales: la guerra de los nueve años 1739–1748|author=Jorge Cerdá Crespo|publisher=Universidad de Alicante|isbn=978-84-9717-127-4|year=2010|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iHc5HlQpmmUC&pg=PA3|language=es|access-date=7 December 2018|archive-date=29 November 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231129012920/https://books.google.com/books?id=iHc5HlQpmmUC&pg=PA3#v=onepage&q&f=false|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine| url=http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2015/11/151102-colombia-shipwreck-cartagena-battle-1700s/| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151103233303/http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2015/11/151102-colombia-shipwreck-cartagena-battle-1700s/| url-status=dead| archive-date=3 November 2015|magazine=National Geographic|title=Did This Spanish Shipwreck Change the Course of History?|author=Greshko, Michael}}</ref> The 18th-century priest, botanist, and mathematician [[José Celestino Mutis]] was delegated by Viceroy [[Antonio Caballero y Góngora]] to conduct an inventory of the nature of New Granada. Started in 1783, this became known as the [[Royal Botanical Expedition to New Granada]]. It classified plants and wildlife, and founded the first astronomical observatory in the city of Santa Fe de Bogotá.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rjb.csic.es/jardinbotanico/jardin/index.php?len=en&Pag=89|title=José Celestino Mutis in New Granada: A life at the service of an Expedition (1760–1808)|publisher=Real Jardín Botánico|access-date=9 April 2014|archive-date=13 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140413125927/http://www.rjb.csic.es/jardinbotanico/jardin/index.php?len=en&Pag=89|url-status=live}}</ref> In July 1801 the Prussian scientist [[Alexander von Humboldt]] reached Santa Fe de Bogotá where he met with Mutis. In addition, historical figures in the process of independence in New Granada emerged from the expedition as the astronomer [[Francisco José de Caldas]], the scientist [[Francisco Antonio Zea]], the zoologist [[Jorge Tadeo Lozano]] and the painter [[Salvador Rizo]].<ref>{{cite book|title=A Geography of Hard Times: Narratives about Travel to South America, 1780–1849 – Part I: The scholar and the baron: Voyage of the exact sciences|author=Angela Perez-Mejia|publisher=SUNY Press|isbn=978-0-7914-6013-9|year=2004|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1AcBiP9mOmoC&pg=PP1|access-date=7 December 2018|archive-date=29 November 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231129012910/https://books.google.com/books?id=1AcBiP9mOmoC&pg=PP1#v=onepage&q&f=false|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Francisco José de Caldas: A Scientist at Work in Nueva Granada|author=John Wilton Appel|publisher=American Philosophical Society|isbn=978-0-87169-845-2|year=1994|url=https://archive.org/details/franciscojosedec0000appe|url-access=registration|page=[https://archive.org/details/franciscojosedec0000appe/page/3 3]}}</ref>

=== Independence ===
{{ Accessibility dispute|section|date=November 2024}}
{{Main|Colombian War of Independence|First Republic of New Granada|Gran Colombia}}
[[File:AGHRC (1890) - Carta XI - División política de Colombia, 1824.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|The departments of Gran Colombia in 1824]]
Rebellions against Spanish rule had occurred in the empire since the advent of conquest and colonization, but most were either crushed or remained too weak to change the overall situation. The last one that sought outright independence from Spain sprang up around 1810 and culminated in the Colombian Declaration of Independence, issued on 20 July 1810, the day that is now celebrated as the nation's Independence Day.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://elpais.com/internacional/2017/07/20/colombia/1500541945_902382.html |title=Independencia de Colombia: ¿por qué se celebra el 20 de julio? |trans-title=Independence of Colombia: Why is it celebrated on 20 July? |date=20 July 2017 |work=El País |access-date=18 July 2018 |language=es |issn=1134-6582 |archive-date=18 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180718205151/https://elpais.com/internacional/2017/07/20/colombia/1500541945_902382.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> This movement followed the independence of [[Saint-Domingue]] (present-day Haiti) in 1804, which provided some support to an eventual leader of this rebellion: [[Simón Bolívar]]. [[Francisco de Paula Santander]] also would play a decisive role.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=McFarlane |first1=Anthony |title=El colapso de la autoridad española y la génesis de la independencia en la Nueva Granada |journal=Revista Desarrollo y Sociedad |date=January 1982 |issue=7 |pages=99–120 |doi=10.13043/dys.7.3 |doi-access=free }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.banrepcultural.org/blaavirtual/revistas/credencial/febrero2010/socorro.htm|title=La independencia del Socorro en la génesis de la emancipación colombiana.|last=Rodriguez Gómez |first=Juan Camilo|publisher=banrepcultural.org|language=es|access-date=15 April 2017|archive-date=10 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171110174547/http://www.banrepcultural.org/blaavirtual/revistas/credencial/febrero2010/socorro.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Gutiérrez Ardila |first1=Daniel |title=Colombia y Haití: historia de un desencuentro (1819–1831) |trans-title=Colombia and Haití: History of a Misunderstanding (1819–1831) |language=es |journal=Secuencia |date=December 2011 |issue=81 |pages=67–93 |url=http://www.scielo.org.mx/scielo.php?pid=S0186-03482011000300003&script=sci_arttext |access-date=28 March 2015 |archive-date=7 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170707192322/http://www.scielo.org.mx/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0186-03482011000300003 |url-status=live }}</ref>

A movement was initiated by [[Antonio Nariño]], who opposed Spanish centralism and led the opposition against the [[Viceroyalty]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://digital.csic.es/bitstream/10261/29874/1/Antonio%20Nari%C3%B1o-Gutierrez%20Escudero.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://digital.csic.es/bitstream/10261/29874/1/Antonio%20Nari%C3%B1o-Gutierrez%20Escudero.pdf |archive-date=9 October 2022 |url-status=live|title=Un precursor de la emancipación americana: Antonio Nariño y Álvarez.|last=Gutiérrez Escudero |first=Antonio|publisher=Araucaria. Revista Iberoamericana de Filosofía, Política y Humanidades 8.13 (2005)|pages=205–220|language=es}}</ref> [[Cartagena, Colombia|Cartagena]] became independent in November 1811.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.banrepcultural.org/blaavirtual/revistas/credencial/febrero2010/caribe.htm|title=Independencia del Caribe colombiano 1810–1821|last=Sourdis Nájera |first=Adelaida|publisher=Revista Credencial Historia – Edición 242|language=es|access-date=28 March 2015|archive-date=9 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171109105253/http://www.banrepcultural.org/blaavirtual/revistas/credencial/febrero2010/caribe.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 1811, the [[United Provinces of New Granada]] were proclaimed, headed by [[Camilo Torres Tenorio]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.banrepcultural.org/node/88606|title=Confederación de las Provincias Unidas de la Nueva Granada|last=Martínez Garnica |first=Armandao|publisher=Revista Credencial Historia – Edición 244|year=2010|language=es|access-date=28 March 2015|archive-date=24 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170624131937/http://www.banrepcultural.org/node/88606|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cervantesvirtual.com/obra-visor-din/acta-de-federacion-de-las-provincias-unidas-de-la-nueva-granada-27-de-noviembre-de-1811--0/html/008e5574-82b2-11df-acc7-002185ce6064_2.html#I_0_|title=Acta de la Federación de las Provincias Unidas de Nueva Granada|year=1811|language=es|access-date=28 March 2015|archive-date=25 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170625133814/http://www.cervantesvirtual.com/obra-visor-din/acta-de-federacion-de-las-provincias-unidas-de-la-nueva-granada-27-de-noviembre-de-1811--0/html/008e5574-82b2-11df-acc7-002185ce6064_2.html#I_0_|url-status=live}}</ref> The emergence of two distinct ideological currents among the patriots ([[federalism]] and [[Unitary state|centralism]]) gave rise to a period of instability called the [[Patria Boba]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Ocampo López |first=Javier |author-link=Javier Ocampo López |year=1998 |title=La patria boba. Cuadernillos de historia |publisher=Panamericana Editorial |isbn=978-958-30-0533-6}}</ref> Shortly after the [[Napoleonic Wars]] ended, [[Ferdinand VII]], recently restored to the throne in Spain, unexpectedly decided [[Spanish reconquest of New Granada|to send military forces]] to retake most of northern South America. The viceroyalty was restored under the command of [[Juan de Sámano]], whose regime punished those who participated in the patriotic movements, ignoring the political nuances of the [[Junta (Spanish American Independence)|junta]]s.<ref>{{cite web|title=Morillo y la reconquista, 1816–1819|url=http://docencia.udea.edu.co/regionalizacion/irs-406/contenido/morillo.html|publisher=udea.edu.co|language=es|access-date=3 July 2017|archive-date=27 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161027064057/http://docencia.udea.edu.co/regionalizacion/irs-406/contenido/morillo.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> The retribution stoked renewed rebellion, which, combined with a weakened Spain, made possible a successful rebellion led by the Venezuelan-born [[Military career of Simón Bolívar|Simón Bolívar]], who finally proclaimed [[Spanish American wars of independence|independence]] in 1819.<ref name="Historia ilustrada de Colombia">{{cite book |last=Ocampo López |first=Javier |author-link=Javier Ocampo López |year=2006 |title=Historia ilustrada de Colombia – Capítulo VI |publisher=Plaza y Janes Editores Colombia sa |isbn=978-958-14-0370-7 |language=es |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XzgpwLiJs5gC&pg=PA1 |access-date=7 December 2018 |archive-date=29 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231129012918/https://books.google.com/books?id=XzgpwLiJs5gC&pg=PA1#v=onepage&q&f=false |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=Cartagena de Indias en la independencia |publisher=[[Bank of the Republic (Colombia)|Banco de la República]] |year=2011 |url=http://www.banrep.gov.co/sites/default/files/publicaciones/archivos/lbr_cartagena_independencia.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://www.banrep.gov.co/sites/default/files/publicaciones/archivos/lbr_cartagena_independencia.pdf |archive-date=9 October 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref> The [[Royalist (Spanish American Independence)|pro-Spanish resistance]] was defeated in 1822 in the present territory of Colombia and in 1823 in Venezuela.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cervantes.es/lengua_y_ensenanza/hispanismo/independencia_americana/bicentenario_independencia_calendario.htm|title=Cronología de las independencias americanas|publisher=cervantes.es|language=es|access-date=16 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180216202647/http://www.cervantes.es/lengua_y_ensenanza/hispanismo/independencia_americana/bicentenario_independencia_calendario.htm|archive-date=16 February 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|url=http://revistadeindias.revistas.csic.es/index.php/revistadeindias/article/view/640/706|title=La Constitución de Cádiz en la Provincia de Pasto, Virreinato de Nueva Granada, 1812–1822.|last=Gutiérrez Ramos |first=Jairo|journal=Revista de Indias|publisher=Revista de Indias 68, no. 242|page=222|year=2008|volume=68|issue=242|doi=10.3989/revindias.2008.i242.640|language=es|doi-access=free|access-date=28 March 2015|archive-date=12 July 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130712040017/http://revistadeindias.revistas.csic.es/index.php/revistadeindias/article/view/640/706|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=La Independencia de Venezuela relatada en clave de paz: las regulaciones pacíficas entre patriotas y realistas (1810–1846).|first1=Alfaro |last1=Pareja |first2=Francisco |last2=José |year=2013|language=es|url=http://repositori.uji.es/xmlui/bitstream/handle/10234/74784/falfaropareja.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402142358/http://repositori.uji.es/xmlui/bitstream/handle/10234/74784/falfaropareja.pdf|archive-date=2 April 2015}}</ref> During the Independence War, between 250 and 400 thousand people (12–20% of the pre-war population) died.<ref name="19thcentury">http://necrometrics.com/wars19c.htm {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20150430180518/http://necrometrics.com/wars19c.htm%23Venez1859 |date=30 April 2015}} | "Statistics of Wars, Oppressions and Atrocities of the Nineteenth Century"</ref><ref name="Deremilitari">http://remilitari.com/guias/victimario6.htm {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080509084644/http://remilitari.com/guias/victimario6.htm |date=9 May 2008 }} | In Spanish "De re Militari: muertos en Guerras, Dictaduras y Genocidios. Capítulo VI"</ref><ref>Silvio Arturo Zavala (1971). ''Revista de historia de América''. Números 69-70. Ciudad de México: Instituto Panamericano de Geografía e Historia, pp. 303. "Para el primero, de 1400000 habs. que la futura Colombia tendría en 1809 (entre ellos 78000 negros esclavos), (...) mortaldad que él mismo señala a tal guerra (unos 400 000 muertos para la Gran Colombia, entre ellos, 250 000 venezolanos)."</ref>
[[File:Cambios territoriales de Colombia.gif|thumb|upright=1.2]]
The territory of the Viceroyalty of New Granada became the [[Gran Colombia|Republic of Colombia]], organized as a [[subdivisions of Gran Colombia|union of the current territories]] of Colombia, Panama, Ecuador, Venezuela, parts of Guyana and Brazil and north of [[Marañón River]].<ref>{{cite book|title=(Gran) Colombia, relación geográfica, topográfica, agrícola, comercial y política de este país: Adaptada para todo lector en general y para el comerciante y colono en particular |volume=1 |first=Alexander |last=Walker|publisher=Banco de la República|year=1822|language=es|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uVZsAAAAMAAJ&pg=PR1}}</ref> The [[Congress of Cúcuta]] in 1821 adopted a [[Colombian Constitution of 1821|constitution]] for the new Republic.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bdigital.unal.edu.co/21805/1/18324-59371-1-PB.pdf|title=Los ciudadanos en la Constitución de Cúcuta – Citizenship in the Constitution of Cúcuta|last=Sosa Abella |first=Guillermo|publisher=Instituto Colombiano de Antropología e Historia (icanh)|year=2009|language=es|access-date=28 March 2015|archive-date=23 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923183203/http://www.bdigital.unal.edu.co/21805/1/18324-59371-1-PB.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.banrepcultural.org/blaavirtual/historia/vireco/vireco11.htm|title=El viaje de Gaspard-Théodore Mollien por la República de Colombia en 1823. CAPÍTULO IX|last=Mollien |first=Gaspard-Théodore |publisher=Biblioteca Virtual del Banco de la República|language=es|access-date=28 March 2015|archive-date=9 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171109010323/http://www.banrepcultural.org/blaavirtual/historia/vireco/vireco11.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> Simón Bolívar became the first [[President of Colombia]], and Francisco de Paula Santander was made [[Vice President of Colombia|Vice President]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://docencia.udea.edu.co/regionalizacion/irs-406/contenido/laconstitucion.html|title=Avatares de una Joven República – 2. La Constitución de Cúcuta|publisher=Universidad de Antioquia|language=es|access-date=28 March 2015|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304025729/http://docencia.udea.edu.co/regionalizacion/irs-406/contenido/laconstitucion.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> However, the new republic was unstable and the Gran Colombia ultimately collapsed.

Modern Colombia comes from one of the countries that emerged after the [[dissolution of Gran Colombia]], the other two being Ecuador and Venezuela.<ref name="EtHisColombia">{{Cite news |date=27 August 2012 |title=Colombia profile - Timeline |publisher=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-19390164 |access-date=14 January 2023 |archive-date=26 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190926221001/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-19390164 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="GranColombiaNuevaGranada">{{cite web|url=http://www.unimilitar.edu.co/documents/63968/72398/04.GranColANvaGranada.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://www.unimilitar.edu.co/documents/63968/72398/04.GranColANvaGranada.pdf |archive-date=9 October 2022 |url-status=live|title=De la gran Colombia a la Nueva Granada, contexto histórico-político de la transición constitucional|last=Blanco Blanco |first=Jacqueline|publisher=Universidad Militar Nueva Granada|year=2007|language=es}}</ref><ref>{{Cite CIA World Factbook|country=Colombia|date=12 January 2022}}</ref> Colombia was the first [[constitutional government]] in South America,<ref name="HistoriaConstitucional">{{cite web |url=http://unilibrepereira.edu.co/catehortua/posgrados/archivos2/HISTORIA%20CONSTITUCIONAL%20COLOMBIANA.pdf |title=Historia Constitucional Colombiana |first=Edgar |last=Arana |publisher=Universidad Libre Seccional Pereira |language=es |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150327033803/http://unilibrepereira.edu.co/catehortua/posgrados/archivos2/HISTORIA%20CONSTITUCIONAL%20COLOMBIANA.pdf |archive-date=27 March 2015}}</ref> and the [[Colombian Liberal Party|Liberal]] and [[Colombian Conservative Party|Conservative]] parties, founded in 1848 and 1849, respectively, are two of the oldest surviving political parties in the Americas.<ref>{{cite book |url=http://174.129.218.71/publications/thinking_politics/upload/thinking_politics_sp_chap4.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150327041239/http://174.129.218.71/publications/thinking_politics/upload/thinking_politics_sp_chap4.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=27 March 2015 |year=2009 |title=Partidos políticos y think tanks en Colombia |first=Juan Fernando |last=Londoño |publisher=International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance |page=129 |isbn=978-91-85724-73-4 |language=es }}</ref> [[Slavery]] was abolished in the country in 1851.<ref>{{cite book |last=Aguilera |first=Miguel |year=1965 |title=La Legislación y el derecho en Colombia |series=Historia extensa de Colombia |volume=14 |publisher=Lemer |location=Bogotá |pages=428–442}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |url=http://revistas.unisinos.br/index.php/historia/article/view/6183 |year=2006 |title=Abolitionist arguments in Colombia |last=Restrepo |first=Eduardo |journal=História Unisinos |volume=10 |issue=3 |pages=293–306 |language=es |access-date=28 March 2015 |archive-date=8 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170708173736/http://revistas.unisinos.br/index.php/historia/article/view/6183 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Internal political and territorial divisions led to the dissolution of [[Gran Colombia]] in 1830.<ref name="EtHisColombia" /><ref name="GranColombiaNuevaGranada" /> The so-called "[[Cundinamarca Province|Department of Cundinamarca]]" adopted the name "[[Republic of the New Granada|New Granada]]", which it kept until 1858 when it became the "Confederación Granadina" ([[Granadine Confederation]]). After a [[Colombian Civil War (1860–1862)|two-year civil war]] in 1863, the [[United States of Colombia]] was created, which became known as the Republic of Colombia in 1886.<ref name="HistoriaConstitucional" /><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.banrepcultural.org/blaavirtual/ayudadetareas/poli/poli57.htm |title=Constituciones que han existido en Colombia |publisher=[[Bank of the Republic (Colombia)|Banco de la República]] |language=es |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110807093959/http://www.banrepcultural.org/blaavirtual/ayudadetareas/poli/poli57.htm |archive-date=7 August 2011}}</ref> Internal divisions remained between the bipartisan political forces, occasionally igniting very bloody civil wars, the most significant being the [[Thousand Days' War]] (1899–1902), in which between 100 and 180 thousand Colombians lost their lives when the [[Colombian Liberal Party|Liberal Party]], supported by [[United States of Venezuela|Venezuela]], [[History of Ecuador (1895–1925)|Ecuador]], [[Nicaragua]], and [[Guatemala]] rebelled against the [[Colombian Conservative Party|Nationalist government]] and took control of [[Santander State|Santander]], ultimately being defeated in 1902 by nationalist forces.<ref>{{cite book |first=Gonzalo |last=España |year=2013 |title=El país que se hizo a tiros |publisher=Penguin Random House |isbn=978-958-8613-90-1 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IordAgAAQBAJ&pg=PP1 |language=es |access-date=7 December 2018 |archive-date=29 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231129012814/https://books.google.com/books?id=IordAgAAQBAJ&pg=PP1#v=onepage&q&f=false |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== 20th century ===
{{See also|Colombian conflict|La Violencia}}
The United States of America's intentions to influence the area (especially the [[Panama Canal]] construction and control)<ref>{{cite news |title=The 1903 Treaty and Qualified Independence |url=http://countrystudies.us/panama/8.htm |publisher=U.S. Library of Congress |access-date=13 September 2020 |archive-date=11 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111011225556/http://countrystudies.us/panama/8.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> led to the [[Secession of Panama from Colombia|secession of the Department of Panama]] in 1903 and its political independence.<ref name="SeparationofPanama">{{cite web |author=Beluche, Olmedo |year=2003 |title=The true history of the separation of 1903 – La verdadera historia de la separación de 1903 |publisher=ARTICSA |url=https://9256eada680e78ba56205f2037885261263098bd-www.googledrive.com/host/0B9QeWchRinyLejFzX01XWG9uVkU/La-verdadera-historia-de-la-separacion-de-1903.pdf |language=es |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151030020242/https://9256eada680e78ba56205f2037885261263098bd-www.googledrive.com/host/0B9QeWchRinyLejFzX01XWG9uVkU/La-verdadera-historia-de-la-separacion-de-1903.pdf |archive-date=30 October 2015}}</ref> The United States paid Colombia $25,000,000 in 1921, seven years after completion of the canal, for redress of President [[Theodore Roosevelt|Roosevelt]]'s role in the creation of Panama, and Colombia recognized Panama under the terms of the [[Thomson–Urrutia Treaty]].<ref>{{cite web |title=El tratado Urrutia-Thomson. Dificultades de política interna y exterior retrasaron siete años su ratificación |publisher=Revista Credencial Historia |year=2003 |url=http://www.banrepcultural.org/node/86422 |language=es |access-date=30 October 2015 |archive-date=15 November 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171115020147/http://www.banrepcultural.org/node/86422 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Colombia and Peru went to [[Leticia Incident|war]] because of territory disputes far in the [[Amazon basin]]. The war ended with a peace deal brokered by the [[League of Nations]]. The League finally awarded the disputed area to Colombia in June 1934.<ref>{{cite journal |author1=Atehortúa Cruz |author2=Adolfo León |year=2014 |title=El conflicto Colombo-Peruano – Apuntes acerca de su desarrollo e importancia histórica |journal=Historia y Espacio |volume=3 |issue=29 |url=http://cms.univalle.edu.co/revistasunivalle/index.php/historiayespacio/article/view/2750/2637 |pages=51–78 |doi=10.25100/hye.v3i29.1664 |s2cid=252776167 |language=es |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151030020452/http://cms.univalle.edu.co/revistasunivalle/index.php/historiayespacio/article/view/2750/2637 |archive-date=30 October 2015|hdl=10893/1003 |hdl-access=free }}</ref>
[[File:Bogotazo.jpg|thumb|left|The [[Bogotazo]] in 1948]]

Soon after, Colombia achieved some degree of political stability, which was interrupted by a bloody conflict that took place between the late 1940s and the early 1950s, a period known as ''[[La Violencia]]'' ("The Violence"). Its cause was mainly mounting tensions between the two leading political parties, which subsequently ignited after the assassination of the Liberal presidential candidate [[Jorge Eliécer Gaitán]] on 9 April 1948.<ref>{{cite book |title=El Bogotazo: Memorias Del Olvido |author=Alape, Arturo |publisher=Fundación Universidad Central |year=1983 |language=es}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=Mataron a Gaitán: vida pública y violencia urbana en Colombia |author=Braun, Herbert |publisher=[[National University of Colombia|Universidad Nacional de Colombia]], Centro Editorial |year=1987 |isbn=978-958-17-0006-6 |language=es}}</ref> The ensuing riots in Bogotá, known as [[El Bogotazo]], spread throughout the country and claimed the lives of at least 180,000 Colombians.<ref name="Encarta">{{cite encyclopedia |author1=Charles Bergquist |author2=David J. Robinson |year=1997–2005 |url=http://ca.encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761564636_10/Colombia.html |title=Colombia |encyclopedia=Microsoft Encarta Online Encyclopedia 2005 |publisher=Microsoft Corporation |access-date=16 April 2006 |archive-date=11 November 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071111194946/http://ca.encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761564636_10/Colombia.html}} ''On 9 April 1948, Gaitán was assassinated outside his law offices in downtown Bogotá. The assassination marked the start of a decade of bloodshed, called ''La Violencia'' (The Violence), which took the lives of an estimated 180,000 Colombians before it subsided in 1958.''</ref>

Colombia entered the [[Korean War]] when [[Laureano Gómez]] was elected president. It was the only Latin American country to join the war in a direct military role as an ally of the United States. Particularly important was the resistance of the Colombian troops at [[Battle of Old Baldy|Old Baldy]].<ref name="Colombia's legacy with Korea">{{cite web |title=Colombia y los Estados Unidos en la Guerra de Corea |author1=Carlos Horacio Urán |publisher=The Kellogg Institute for International Studies |year=1986 |url=http://kellogg.nd.edu/publications/workingpapers/WPS/069.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://kellogg.nd.edu/publications/workingpapers/WPS/069.pdf |archive-date=9 October 2022 |url-status=live |language=es}}</ref>

The violence between the two political parties decreased first when [[Gustavo Rojas Pinilla|Gustavo Rojas]] deposed the [[Laureano Gómez|President]] of Colombia in a coup d'état and negotiated with the guerrillas, and then under the [[Colombian Military Junta|military junta]] of General [[Gabriel París]].<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Atehortúa Cruz |first1=Adolfo |title=El golpe de Rojas y el poder de los militares |trans-title=Rojas' coup d'etat and the power of army men |language=es |journal=Folios |date=2 February 2010 |volume=1 |issue=31 |pages=33–48 |doi=10.17227/01234870.31folios33.48 |doi-access=free }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Ayala Diago, César Augusto |year=2000 |title=Gustavo Rojas Pinilla, 100 años, 1900–1975 |publisher=[[Bank of the Republic (Colombia)|Banco de la República]] |url=http://www.banrepcultural.org/blaavirtual/revistas/credencial/marzo2000/123gustavo.htm |language=es |access-date=24 April 2017 |archive-date=24 April 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170424112356/http://www.banrepcultural.org/blaavirtual/revistas/credencial/marzo2000/123gustavo.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref>
[[File:Centro de Memoria Histórica - Bogotá.jpg|thumb|left|The Axis of Peace and Memory, a memorial to the victims of the [[Colombian conflict]] (1964–present)]]

After Rojas' deposition, the Colombian Conservative Party and the Colombian Liberal Party agreed to create the [[National Front (Colombia)|National Front]], a coalition that would jointly govern the country. Under the deal, the presidency would alternate between conservatives and liberals every 4 years for 16 years; the two parties would have parity in all other elective offices.<ref>{{cite web|title=1957–1974 El Frente Nacional|publisher=Revista Credencial Historia|year=2006|url=http://www.banrepcultural.org/blaavirtual/revistas/credencial/septiembre2006/frente.htm|author=Alarcón Núñez, Óscar|language=es|access-date=24 April 2017|archive-date=24 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170424072902/http://www.banrepcultural.org/blaavirtual/revistas/credencial/septiembre2006/frente.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> The National Front ended "La Violencia", and National Front administrations attempted to institute far-reaching social and economic reforms in cooperation with the [[Alliance for Progress]].<ref>ROJAS, Diana Marcela. La alianza para el progreso de Colombia. Análisis Político, [S.l.], v. 23, n. 70, p. 91–124, Sep. 2010. {{ISSN|0121-4705}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Frente Nacional: acuerdo bipartidista y alternación en el poder|publisher=Revista Credencial Historia|year=1999|url=http://www.banrepcultural.org/blaavirtual/revistas/credencial/noviembre1999/119frente.htm|author=Ayala Diago, César Augusto|language=es|access-date=24 April 2017|archive-date=5 July 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130705231831/http://www.banrepcultural.org/blaavirtual/revistas/credencial/noviembre1999/119frente.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> Despite the progress in certain sectors, many social and political problems continued, and guerrilla groups were formally created such as the [[Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia|FARC]], the [[National Liberation Army (Colombia)|ELN]] and the [[19th of April Movement|M-19]] to fight the government and political apparatus.<ref>{{cite web|title=El Frente Nacional|publisher=banrepcultural.org|year=2006|url=http://www.banrepcultural.org/blaavirtual/ayudadetareas/politica/el_frente_nacional|language=es|access-date=24 April 2017|archive-date=24 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170424073204/http://www.banrepcultural.org/blaavirtual/ayudadetareas/politica/el_frente_nacional|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Since the 1960s, the country has suffered from an [[Asymmetric warfare|asymmetric]] [[Low intensity conflict|low-intensity]] [[Colombian armed conflict (1964–present)|armed conflict]] between [[Military Forces of Colombia|government forces]], [[Guerrilla movements in Colombia|leftist guerrilla groups]] and [[Paramilitarism in Colombia|right wing paramilitaries]].<ref name="HistoricalCommission">{{cite web|title=Contribution to an Understanding of the Armed Conflict in Colombia|author=Historical Commission on the Conflict and Its Victims (CHCV)|date=February 2015|url=https://www.mesadeconversaciones.com.co/sites/default/files/Informe%20Comisi_n%20Hist_rica%20del%20Conflicto%20y%20sus%20V_ctimas.%20La%20Habana,%20Febrero%20de%202015.pdf|language=es|access-date=6 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160121194351/https://www.mesadeconversaciones.com.co/sites/default/files/Informe%20Comisi_n%20Hist_rica%20del%20Conflicto%20y%20sus%20V_ctimas.%20La%20Habana%2C%20Febrero%20de%202015.pdf|archive-date=21 January 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> The conflict escalated in the 1990s,<ref name="Colombian armed conflict">{{cite web|author=Lilian Yaffe|url=http://www.icesi.edu.co/revistas/index.php/revista_cs/article/view/1133/1509|title=Armed conflict in Colombia: analyzing the economic, social, and institutional causes of violent opposition|publisher=icesi.edu.co|date=3 October 2011|language=es|access-date=24 April 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131016063214/http://www.icesi.edu.co/revistas/index.php/revista_cs/article/view/1133/1509|archive-date=16 October 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> mainly in remote rural areas.<ref name="Colombian conflict">{{cite web |url=http://www.centrodememoriahistorica.gov.co/informes/informes-2017/tomas-y-ataques-guerrilleros-1965-2013 |title=Tomas y ataques guerrilleros (1965–2013) |publisher=centrodememoriahistorica.gov.co |date=5 June 2017 |language=es |access-date=16 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180826051509/http://www.centrodememoriahistorica.gov.co/informes/informes-2017/tomas-y-ataques-guerrilleros-1965-2013 |archive-date=26 August 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Since the beginning of the armed conflict, [[human rights defenders]] have fought for the respect for human rights, despite staggering opposition.{{efn|[[Héctor Abad Gómez|Héctor Abad]] was a prominent medical doctor, university professor, and human rights leader whose holistic vision of healthcare led him to found the Colombian National School of Public Health. The increasing violence and human rights abuses of the 1970s and 1980s led him to fight for social justice in his community.<ref>{{cite book|title=Oblivion: A Memoir|author=Héctor Abad Faciolince|publisher=Farrar, Straus and Giroux|isbn=978-0-374-53393-9|year=2006}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wola.org/news/oblivion_a_memior_by_hector_abad_wins_wola_duke_human_rights_book_award|title=Oblivion: a memoir by Hector Abad wins Wola-Duke human rights book award|date=12 October 2012|access-date=27 January 2016|publisher=wola.org|archive-date=7 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160707233709/http://www.wola.org/news/oblivion_a_memior_by_hector_abad_wins_wola_duke_human_rights_book_award|url-status=live}}</ref>}}{{efn|[[Javier de Nicoló]] was a [[Salesian]] priest who grew up in war-torn Italy and arrived in Colombia a year after the Bogotazo. He developed a program that has offered more than 40,000 young people the education and moral support they needed to become productive citizens.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iaf.gov/resources/publications/grassroots-development-journal/2013-focus-the-iaf-s-investment-in-young-people/first-class-citizens-father-de-nicol-and-the-street-kids-of-colombia|title=First-class citizens: Father de Nicoló and the street kids of Colombia|access-date=28 March 2016|publisher=iaf.gov|archive-date=28 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160328202748/http://www.iaf.gov/resources/publications/grassroots-development-journal/2013-focus-the-iaf-s-investment-in-young-people/first-class-citizens-father-de-nicol-and-the-street-kids-of-colombia|url-status=dead}}</ref>}} Several guerrillas' organizations decided to demobilize after peace negotiations in 1989–1994.<ref name="Enough Already!">{{cite book|title="Enough Already!" Colombia: Memories of War and Dignity.|author=Historical Memory Group|publisher=The National Center for Historical Memory's (NCHM)|year=2013|isbn=9789585760844|url=http://www.centrodememoriahistorica.gov.co/descargas/informes2013/bastaYa/bastaya-colombia-memorias-de-guerra-y-dignidad-2015.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://www.centrodememoriahistorica.gov.co/descargas/informes2013/bastaYa/bastaya-colombia-memorias-de-guerra-y-dignidad-2015.pdf |archive-date=9 October 2022 |url-status=live|language=es}}</ref>

The United States has been heavily involved in the conflict since its beginnings, when in the early 1960s the [[Federal government of the United States|U.S. government]] encouraged the Colombian military to attack leftist militias in rural Colombia. This was part of the U.S. fight against communism. [[Mercenarie]]s and multinational corporations such as [[Chiquita Brands International]] are some of the international actors that have contributed to the violence of the conflict.<ref name="HistoricalCommission" /><ref name="Enough Already!" /><ref name="colombia-and-us-54">{{cite book|title=Colombia and the United States: war, unrest, and destabilization|author1=Mario A. Murillo|author2=Jesús Rey Avirama|publisher=Seven Stories Press|isbn=978-1-58322-606-3|year=2004|url=https://archive.org/details/colombiaunitedst00muri|url-access=registration|page=[https://archive.org/details/colombiaunitedst00muri/page/54 54]}}</ref>

Beginning in the mid-1970s Colombian [[drug cartel]]s became major producers, processors and exporters of [[Illegal drug trade in Colombia|illegal drugs]], primarily [[Cannabis (drug)|marijuana]] and [[cocaine]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/drugs/business/inside/colombian.html |title=The Colombian Cartels |publisher=WGBH educational foundation |access-date=25 May 2020 |archive-date=28 July 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130728115548/http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/drugs/business/inside/colombian.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

On 4 July 1991, a new [[Colombian Constitution of 1991|Constitution]] was promulgated. The changes generated by the new constitution are viewed as positive by Colombian society.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.elpais.com.co/elpais/colombia/20-grandes-cambios-genero-constitucion-1991 |title=20 grandes cambios que generó la Constitución de 1991 |access-date=28 March 2013 |publisher=elpais.com.co |language=es |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151211013106/http://www.elpais.com.co/elpais/colombia/20-grandes-cambios-genero-constitucion-1991 |archive-date=11 December 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="Colombian Constitution of 1991">{{cite web |url=http://www.secretariasenado.gov.co/index.php/leyes-y-antecedentes/constitucion-y-sus-reformas |title=Colombian Constitution of 1991 |access-date=10 March 2014 |publisher=secretariasenado.gov.co |language=es |archive-date=28 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230328034430/http://www.secretariasenado.gov.co/index.php/leyes-y-antecedentes/constitucion-y-sus-reformas |url-status=live }}</ref>

===21st century===
{{See also|Colombian peace process}}
[[File:Jefa de Estado participa en ceremonia de la Firma de la Paz entre el Gobierno de Colombia y las FARC E.P. (29953487045).jpg|thumb|Former President [[Juan Manuel Santos]] signing a [[Colombian peace process|peace accord]]]]
The administration of President [[Álvaro Uribe]] (2002–2010) adopted the [[democratic security policy]] which included an integrated [[counter-terrorism]] and [[counter-insurgency]] campaign.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.eltiempo.com/justicia/desmovilizacion-principal-arma-contra-las-guerrillas_13077339-4 |title=Desmovilización, principal arma contra las guerrillas |trans-title=Demobilization, main weapon against the guerrillas |first=Juan Guillermo |last=Mercado |work=[[El Tiempo (Colombia)|El Tiempo]] |language=es |date=22 September 2013 |access-date=26 September 2013 |archive-date=23 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130923064310/http://www.eltiempo.com/justicia/desmovilizacion-principal-arma-contra-las-guerrillas_13077339-4 |url-status=live }}</ref> The government economic plan also promoted confidence in investors.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://som.yale.edu/news/news/former-colombian-president-alvaro-uribe-speaks-yale-som |title=Former Colombian President Alvaro Uribe Speaks at Yale SOM |publisher=Yale School of Management |date=3 December 2012 |access-date=25 June 2016 |archive-date=20 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191220195312/https://som.yale.edu/news/news/former-colombian-president-alvaro-uribe-speaks-yale-som |url-status=dead }}</ref> As part of a controversial peace process, the [[United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia|AUC]] (right-wing paramilitaries) had ceased to function formally as an organization .<ref name="CIAWFB">{{Cite CIA World Factbook|country=Colombia|access-date=24 September 2015}}</ref> In February 2008, millions of Colombians demonstrated against FARC and other outlawed groups.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.movements.org/case-study/entry/oscar-morales-and-one-million-voices-against-farc/ |title=Oscar Morales and One Million Voices Against FARC |website=Movements.org |date=23 July 2010 |access-date=1 April 2013 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131022220325/http://www.movements.org/case-study/entry/oscar-morales-and-one-million-voices-against-farc/ |archive-date=22 October 2013 }}</ref>

After peace negotiations in [[Cuba]], the [[Government of Colombia|Colombian government]] of President [[Juan Manuel Santos]] and the [[guerrillas]] of the FARC-EP announced a final agreement to end the conflict.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.altocomisionadoparalapaz.gov.co/mesadeconversaciones/index.html|title=Colombia's peace deals|publisher=altocomisionadoparalapaz.gov.co|access-date=6 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170914085318/http://www.altocomisionadoparalapaz.gov.co/mesadeconversaciones/index.html|archive-date=14 September 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> However, a [[Colombian peace agreement referendum, 2016|referendum]] to ratify the deal was unsuccessful.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-37537252 |title=Colombia referendum: Voters reject Farc peace deal |publisher=[[BBC News]] |date=3 October 2016 |access-date=2 November 2016 |archive-date=30 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180930152644/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-37537252 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Plebiscito 2 octubre 2016 – Boletín Nacional No. 53 |url=http://plebiscito.registraduria.gov.co/99PL/DPLZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ_L1.htm |publisher=Registraduría Nacional de Estado Civil |date=2 October 2016 |access-date=2 November 2016 |archive-date=3 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161003083638/http://plebiscito.registraduria.gov.co/99PL/DPLZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ_L1.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> Afterward, the Colombian government and the FARC signed a revised [[Colombian peace process|peace deal]] in November 2016,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-38096179 |title=Colombia signs new peace deal with Farc |date=24 November 2016 |publisher=[[BBC News]] |access-date=21 June 2018 |archive-date=28 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161228195756/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-38096179 |url-status=live }}</ref> which the [[Colombian congress]] approved.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/the_americas/colombian-congress-approves-historic-peace-deal/2016/11/30/9b2fda92-b5a7-11e6-939c-91749443c5e5_story.html |title=Colombia's congress approves historic peace deal with FARC rebels |date=30 November 2016 |first1=Joshua |last1=Partlow |first2=Nick |last2=Miroff |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |access-date=1 December 2016 |archive-date=1 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161201090410/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/the_americas/colombian-congress-approves-historic-peace-deal/2016/11/30/9b2fda92-b5a7-11e6-939c-91749443c5e5_story.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2016, President Santos was awarded the [[2016 Nobel Peace Prize|Nobel Peace Prize]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/peace/laureates/2016/santos-lecture_en.html|title=Nobel Lecture by Juan Manuel Santos, Oslo, 10 December 2016|website=NobelPrize.org|access-date=10 December 2016|archive-date=10 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161210204701/https://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/peace/laureates/2016/santos-lecture_en.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The Government began a process of attention and comprehensive reparation for victims of conflict.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.unidadvictimas.gov.co/normatividad/LEY+DE+VICTIMAS.pdf |title=The Victims and Land Restitution Law |publisher=unidadvictimas.gov.co |access-date=21 December 2014 |language=es |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925110822/http://www.unidadvictimas.gov.co/normatividad/LEY%2BDE%2BVICTIMAS.pdf |archive-date=25 September 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.restituciondetierras.gov.co/inicio |title=the Land Restitution Unit |publisher=restituciondetierras.gov.co |access-date=23 March 2013 |archive-date=4 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160104000003/https://www.restituciondetierras.gov.co/inicio |url-status=dead }}</ref> Colombia shows modest progress in the struggle to defend human rights, as expressed by [[Human Rights Watch|HRW]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://colombiareports.co/colombia-has-improved-under-santos-human-rights-watch/ |title=Colombia has improved under Santos: Human Rights Watch |first=Toni |last=Peters |work=[[Colombia Reports]] |date=12 October 2011 |access-date=31 March 2015 |archive-date=13 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150413201236/http://colombiareports.co/colombia-has-improved-under-santos-human-rights-watch/ |url-status=live }}</ref> A [[Special Jurisdiction of Peace]] has been created to investigate, clarify, prosecute and punish serious human rights violations and grave breaches of [[international humanitarian law]] which occurred during the armed conflict and to satisfy victims' right to [[justice]].<ref>{{cite web|title=ABC Jurisdicción Especial para la Paz|url=http://www.altocomisionadoparalapaz.gov.co/Documents/informes-especiales/abc-del-proceso-de-paz/abc-jurisdiccion-especial-paz.html|publisher=Oficina del Alto Comisionado para la Paz|access-date=24 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161005125954/http://www.altocomisionadoparalapaz.gov.co/Documents/informes-especiales/abc-del-proceso-de-paz/abc-jurisdiccion-especial-paz.html|archive-date=5 October 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> During his visit to Colombia, [[Pope Francis]] paid tribute to the victims of the conflict.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2017/09/08/pope_at_colombia_prayer_meeting_for_reconciliation_weeps_wit/1335635 |title=Pope at Colombia prayer meeting for reconciliation weeps with victims |date=8 September 2017 |website=radiovaticana.va |access-date=9 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170909034315/http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2017/09/08/pope_at_colombia_prayer_meeting_for_reconciliation_weeps_wit/1335635 |archive-date=9 September 2017 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
[[File:Inauguration_Petro.jpg|thumb|left|[[Gustavo Petro]], the country's first [[Left-wing politics|left-wing]] president]]

In June 2018, [[Iván Duque]], the candidate of the right-wing [[Democratic Center (Colombia)|Democratic Center]] party, won the presidential [[2018 Colombian presidential election|election]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Colombia's president-elect Duque wants to 'unite country' |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-44513368 |publisher=BBC News |date=18 June 2018 |access-date=21 April 2021 |archive-date=18 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180618011841/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-44513368 |url-status=live }}</ref> On 7 August 2018, he was sworn in as the new [[President of Colombia]] to succeed Juan Manuel Santos.<ref>{{cite news|title=Iván Duque: Colombia's new president sworn into office|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-45107063|publisher=BBC News|date=8 August 2018|access-date=8 July 2021|archive-date=30 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201030105110/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-45107063|url-status=live}}</ref> [[2010 Colombia–Venezuela diplomatic crisis|Colombia's relations with Venezuela]] have fluctuated due to ideological differences between the two governments.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-10926003 |title=Colombia and Venezuela restore diplomatic relations |publisher=BBC News |date=11 August 2010 |access-date=21 June 2018 |archive-date=13 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180613030309/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-10926003 |url-status=live }}</ref> Colombia has offered [[Humanitarian aid|humanitarian support]] with food and medicines to mitigate the shortage of supplies in Venezuela.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://es.presidencia.gov.co/noticia/180111-Colombia-reitera-ofrecimiento-de-ayuda-humanitaria-a-Venezuela |title=Colombia reitera ofrecimiento de ayuda humanitaria a Venezuela |trans-title=Colombia reiterates offer of humanitarian aid to Venezuela |date=11 January 2018 |language=es |website=Presidencia.gov.co |access-date=12 January 2018 |archive-date=12 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180112025350/http://es.presidencia.gov.co/noticia/180111-Colombia-reitera-ofrecimiento-de-ayuda-humanitaria-a-Venezuela |url-status=live }}</ref> Colombia's Foreign Ministry said that all efforts to resolve [[Crisis in Venezuela (2012–present)|Venezuela's crisis]] should be peaceful.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://es.presidencia.gov.co/noticia/170812-Comunicado-de-prensa-del-Ministerio-de-Relaciones-Exteriores |title=Comunicado de prensa del Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores |trans-title=Press release of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs |date=2 June 2017 |language=es |website=Presidencia.gov.co |access-date=13 August 2017 |archive-date=13 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170813113834/http://es.presidencia.gov.co/noticia/170812-Comunicado-de-prensa-del-Ministerio-de-Relaciones-Exteriores |url-status=live }}</ref> Colombia proposed the idea of the [[Sustainable Development Goals]] and a final document was adopted by the United Nations.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Caballero |first=Paula |author-link=Paula Caballero |date=20 September 2016 |title=A Short History of the SDGS. |url=http://impakter.com/short-history-sdgs/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171008122103/http://impakter.com/short-history-sdgs/ |archive-date=8 October 2017 |access-date=8 October 2017 |website=Impakter.com}}</ref> In February 2019, Venezuelan president [[Nicolás Maduro]] cut off diplomatic relations with Colombia after Colombian President Ivan Duque had helped Venezuelan opposition politicians deliver humanitarian aid to their country. Colombia recognized Venezuelan opposition leader [[Juan Guaidó]] as the country's legitimate president. In January 2020, Colombia rejected Maduro's proposal that the two countries restore diplomatic relations.<ref>{{cite news|title=Colombia rejects Venezuelan proposal to resume diplomatic relations|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-colombia-venezuela-idUSKBN1ZT30R|publisher=Reuters|date=30 January 2020|access-date=8 July 2021|archive-date=21 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210421065909/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-colombia-venezuela-idUSKBN1ZT30R|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[2021 Colombian protests|Protests]] started on 28 April 2021 when the government proposed a tax bill that would greatly expand the range of the 19 percent [[value-added tax]].<ref name="nyb220721">{{cite news |last1=Guillermoprieto |first1=Alma |title=Confrontation in Colombia {{!}} by Alma Guillermoprieto {{!}} The New York Review of Books |url=https://www.nybooks.com/articles/2021/07/22/confrontation-in-colombia/ |date=22 July 2021 |access-date=2 July 2021 |language=en |archive-date=1 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210701142820/https://www.nybooks.com/articles/2021/07/22/confrontation-in-colombia/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The 19 June 2022 [[2022 Colombian presidential election|election]] run-off vote ended in a win for former guerrilla, [[Gustavo Petro]], taking 50.47% of the vote compared to 47.27% for independent candidate [[Rodolfo Hernández Suárez|Rodolfo Hernández]]. The single-term limit for the country's presidency prevented President Iván Duque from seeking re-election. On 7 August 2022, Petro was sworn in, becoming the country's first leftist president.<ref>{{cite news |title=Former guerrilla Gustavo Petro wins Colombian election to become first leftist president |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jun/20/former-guerrilla-gustavo-petro-wins-colombian-election-to-become-first-leftist-president |work=The Guardian |date=20 June 2022 |language=en |access-date=2 August 2022 |archive-date=2 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220802080758/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jun/20/former-guerrilla-gustavo-petro-wins-colombian-election-to-become-first-leftist-president |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Ex-rebel takes oath as Colombia's first left-wing president |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/8/8/gustavo-petro-ex-rebel-fighter-sworn-in-as-colombias-president |publisher=Al Jazeera |language=en |access-date=8 August 2022 |archive-date=8 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220808091808/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/8/8/gustavo-petro-ex-rebel-fighter-sworn-in-as-colombias-president/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Geography==
{{Main|Geography of Colombia|Geology of Colombia}}
[[File:Mapa de Colombia (topografía).svg|upright|thumb|[[Topographic map]] of Colombia]]

The geography of Colombia is characterized by its six main [[Natural regions of Colombia|natural regions]] that present their unique characteristics, from the [[Andes]] mountain range region; the [[Pacific Coast]]al region; the Caribbean coastal region; the ''[[Llanos]]'' (plains); the [[Amazon rainforest]] region; to the [[Insular Region (Colombia)|insular area]], comprising islands in both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.<ref name="Geography of Colombia">{{cite web|url=http://www.colombia-sa.com/geografia/geografia-in.html|title=Natural regions of Colombia and description of the three branches of the andes cordillera|publisher=colombia-sa.com|access-date=7 March 2014|archive-date=14 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140314043601/http://www.colombia-sa.com/geografia/geografia-in.html|url-status=live}}</ref> It shares its maritime limits with [[Costa Rica]], [[Nicaragua]], [[Honduras]], [[Jamaica]], [[Haiti]], and the [[Dominican Republic]].<ref name="Maritime borders" />

Colombia is bordered to the northwest by [[Panama]], to the east by [[Venezuela]] and Brazil, and to the south by [[Ecuador]] and [[Peru]];<ref name="Land borders">{{cite web|url=http://www.cancilleria.gov.co/en/politica/fronteras-terrestres|title=The Republic of Colombia shares land borders with five (5) countries|work=Cancillería |publisher=cancilleria.gov.co|access-date=6 June 2016|archive-date=31 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180731123542/http://www.cancilleria.gov.co/en/politica/fronteras-terrestres|url-status=live}}</ref> it established its maritime boundaries with neighboring countries through seven agreements on the Caribbean Sea and three on the Pacific Ocean.<ref name="Maritime borders">{{cite web|url=http://www.cancilleria.gov.co/en/politica/fronteras-maritimas|title=Maritime borders|work=Cancillería |publisher=cancilleria.gov.co|access-date=6 June 2016|archive-date=31 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180731123704/http://www.cancilleria.gov.co/en/politica/fronteras-maritimas|url-status=live}}</ref> It lies between latitudes [[12th parallel north|12°N]] and [[4th parallel south|4°S]] and between longitudes [[67th meridian west|67°]] and [[79th meridian west|79°W]].

East of the Andes lies the [[savanna]] of the ''[[Llanos]]'', part of the [[Orinoco]] River basin, and in the far southeast, the [[jungle]] of the [[Amazon rainforest]]. Together these lowlands make up over half Colombia's territory, but they contain less than 6% of the population. To the north the [[Caribbean Region of Colombia|Caribbean coast]], home to 21.9% of the population and the location of the major port cities of [[Barranquilla]] and [[Cartagena, Colombia|Cartagena]], generally consists of low-lying plains, but it also contains the [[Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta]] mountain range, which includes the country's tallest peaks ([[Pico Cristóbal Colón]] and [[Pico Simón Bolívar]]), and the [[La Guajira Desert]]. By contrast the narrow and discontinuous [[Pacific Region of Colombia|Pacific coastal lowlands]], backed by the [[Baudó Mountains|Serranía de Baudó]] mountains, are sparsely populated and covered in dense vegetation. The principal Pacific port is [[Buenaventura, Colombia|Buenaventura]].<ref name="Geography of Colombia" /><ref name="populationbyregions" /><ref name="Population density" />

[[File:ISS-42 Colombia’s Santa Marta massif.jpg|thumb|left|[[Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta]] as seen from the [[International Space Station|ISS]]]]

Part of the [[Pacific Ring of Fire|Ring of Fire]], a region of the world subject to earthquakes and [[volcano|volcanic eruptions]],<ref name="Ring of Fire">{{cite web|url=http://seisan.ingeominas.gov.co/RSNC/index.php/material-educativo|title=Colombia is part of the Ring of Fire|publisher=seisan.ingeominas.gov.co|access-date=7 March 2014|language=es|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140307220211/http://seisan.ingeominas.gov.co/RSNC/index.php/material-educativo|archive-date=7 March 2014}}</ref> in the interior of Colombia the Andes are the prevailing geographical feature. Most of Colombia's population centers are located in these interior highlands. Beyond the [[Colombian Massif]] (in the southwestern departments of [[Cauca Department|Cauca]] and [[Nariño Department|Nariño]]), these are divided into three branches known as ''cordilleras'' (mountain ranges): the [[Cordillera Occidental (Colombia)|Cordillera Occidental]], running adjacent to the Pacific coast and including the city of [[Santiago de Cali|Cali]]; the [[Cordillera Central (Colombia)|Cordillera Central]], running between the [[Cauca River|Cauca]] and [[Magdalena River]] valleys (to the west and east, respectively) and including the cities of [[Medellín]], [[Manizales]], [[Pereira, Colombia|Pereira]], and [[Armenia, Quindío|Armenia]]; and the [[Cordillera Oriental (Colombia)|Cordillera Oriental]], extending northeast to the [[Guajira Peninsula]] and including Bogotá, [[Bucaramanga]], and [[Cúcuta]].<ref name="Geography of Colombia" /><ref name="populationbyregions" /><ref name="Population density" /> Peaks in the Cordillera Occidental exceed {{convert|4700|m|ft|0|abbr=on|sp=us}}, and in the Cordillera Central and Cordillera Oriental they reach {{convert|5000|m|ft|0|abbr=on|sp=us}}. At {{convert|2600|m|ft|0|abbr=on|sp=us}}, Bogotá is the highest city of its size in the world.<ref name="Geography of Colombia" />

The main rivers of Colombia are Magdalena, Cauca, [[Guaviare River|Guaviare]], [[Atrato River|Atrato]], [[Meta River|Meta]], [[Putumayo River|Putumayo]] and [[Caquetá River|Caquetá]]. Colombia has four main drainage systems: the Pacific drain, the Caribbean drain, the Orinoco Basin and the Amazon Basin. The Orinoco and [[Amazon River|Amazon]] Rivers mark limits with Colombia to Venezuela and Peru respectively.<ref name="Hydrography">{{cite web|url=http://www.colombia-sa.com/geografia/geografia-in-2.html|title=Hydrography of Colombia|publisher=colombia-sa.com|access-date=7 March 2014|archive-date=20 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130920042242/http://www.colombia-sa.com/geografia/geografia-in-2.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Climate ===
{{Main|Climate of Colombia}}
[[File:Colombia_Köppen.svg|thumb|upright|Colombia map of [[Köppen climate classification]]]]

The climate of Colombia is characterized for being tropical presenting variations within [[Natural regions of Colombia|six natural regions]] and depending on the altitude, temperature, [[humidity]], winds and rainfall.<ref name="Thermal floors" /> Colombia has a diverse range of climate zones, including [[tropical rainforest]]s, [[savanna]]s, [[steppe]]s, [[desert]]s and mountain climates.

[[Mountain climate]] is one of the unique features of the Andes and other high altitude reliefs where climate is determined by elevation. Below {{convert|1000|m|ft|0|sp=us}} in elevation is the [[tierra caliente|warm altitudinal zone]], where temperatures are above {{convert|24|°C|°F|1}}. About 82.5% of the country's total area lies in the warm altitudinal zone. The [[tierra templada|temperate climate altitudinal zone]] located between {{convert|1001|and|2000|m|ft|0|sp=us}} is characterized for presenting an average temperature ranging between {{convert|17|and|24|°C|°F|1}}. The [[tierra fría|cold climate]] is present between {{convert|2001|and|3000|m|ft|0|sp=us}} and the temperatures vary between {{convert|12|and|17|°C|°F|1}}. Beyond lies the alpine conditions of the forested zone and then the treeless grasslands of the [[páramo]]s. Above {{convert|4000|m|ft|0|sp=us}}, where temperatures are below freezing, the climate is [[tierra helada|glacial]], a zone of permanent snow and ice.<ref name="Thermal floors">{{cite web|url=http://www.banrepcultural.org/blaavirtual/economia/colombia/eco1.htm|title=Thermal floors|publisher=banrepcultural.org|access-date=25 February 2014|language=es|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141016033544/http://www.banrepcultural.org/blaavirtual/economia/colombia/eco1.htm|archive-date=16 October 2014}}</ref>

=== Biodiversity and conservation ===
{{see also|Fauna of Colombia|Flora of Colombia|Deforestation in Colombia}}
Colombia is one of the [[megadiverse countries]] in [[biodiversity]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.inecc.gob.mx/descargas/ai/con199328.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://www.inecc.gob.mx/descargas/ai/con199328.pdf |archive-date=9 October 2022 |url-status=live|title=Declaración de Cancún de países megadiversos afínes|author=Delegatarios de países megadiversos|publisher=inecc.gob.mx|language=es|access-date=9 March 2014}}</ref> ranking first in [[List of birds of Colombia|bird species]].<ref name="Bird Species">{{cite web|url=http://www.proaves.org/colombia-officially-the-nation-with-the-greatest-diversity-of-birds-and-a-new-world-record/?lang=en|title=Colombia Celebrates over 1,900 Bird Species|date=9 December 2013|publisher=proaves.org|access-date=18 December 2013|archive-date=19 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131219125544/http://www.proaves.org/colombia-officially-the-nation-with-the-greatest-diversity-of-birds-and-a-new-world-record/?lang=en|url-status=live}}</ref> Colombia is the country with the planet's highest biodiversity, having the highest rate of species by area as well as the largest number of [[endemism]]s (species that are not found naturally anywhere else) of any country. About 10% of the species of the Earth live in Colombia, including over 1,900 species of bird, more than in Europe and North America combined. Colombia has 10% of the world's [[List of mammals of Colombia|mammals]] species, 14% of the [[amphibian]] species and 18% of the [[Endemic birds of Colombia|bird]] species of the world.<ref name="DIVERSITY OF SPECIES IN COLOMBIA">{{cite web|url=http://www.humboldt.org.co/component/k2/item/62-cifras |title=Colombia accounts for around 10% of the flora and fauna of the world. |publisher=humboldt.org.co |access-date=21 July 2013 |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140309144021/http://www.humboldt.org.co/component/k2/item/62-cifras |archive-date=9 March 2014 }}</ref>
[[File:Cattleya trianae tipo Baronessa.jpg|left|thumb|The national flower of Colombia, the [[endemic]] [[orchid]] ''[[Cattleya trianae]]'', is named for Colombian botanist and physician [[José Jerónimo Triana]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.banrepcultural.org/blaavirtual/revistas/credencial/julio2001/laflor.htm|title=La flor de mayo, Cattleya trianae, flor nacional|language=es|access-date=3 March 2017|publisher=banrepcultural.org|archive-date=9 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171109175958/http://www.banrepcultural.org/blaavirtual/revistas/credencial/julio2001/laflor.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>]]

As for plants, the country has between 40,000 and 45,000 plant [[species]], equivalent to 10 or 20% of total global species, which is even more remarkable given that Colombia is considered a country of intermediate size.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.parquesnacionales.gov.co/PNN/portel/libreria/php/frame_detalle.php?h_id=5274|title=Flora of Colombia|publisher=parquesnacionales.gov.co|language=es|access-date=18 December 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160125222620/http://www.parquesnacionales.gov.co/PNN/portel/libreria/php/frame_detalle.php?h_id=5274|archive-date=25 January 2016}}</ref> Colombia is the second most biodiverse country in the world, lagging only after Brazil which is approximately 7 times bigger.<ref name="Biodiversity of Colombia">{{cite web|url=http://www.prodiversitas.bioetica.org/nota63.htm |title=Colombia is the second most biodiverse country in the world |author=Luis Fernando Potes |publisher=prodiversitas.bioetica.org |language=es |access-date=9 March 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029190443/http://www.prodiversitas.bioetica.org/nota63.htm |archive-date=29 October 2013 }}</ref>

Colombia has about 2,000 species of [[marine fish]] and is the second most diverse country in [[freshwater fish]]. It is also the country with the most endemic species of [[List of butterflies of Colombia|butterflies]], is first in [[orchid]] species, and has approximately 7,000 species of [[beetle]]s. Colombia is second in the number of amphibian species and is the third most diverse country in [[List of reptiles of Colombia|reptiles]] and [[Arecaceae|palms]]. There are about 1,900 species of [[mollusk]]s and according to estimates there are about 300,000 species of [[invertebrates]] in the country. In Colombia there are 32 terrestrial [[biomes]] and 314 types of [[ecosystems]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sibcolombia.net/web/sib/cifras|title=System of information about biodiversity of Colombia|publisher=Sistema de Información sobre Biodiversidad de Colombia|language=es|access-date=5 April 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130523121645/http://www.sibcolombia.net/web/sib/cifras|archive-date=23 May 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="humboldt">{{cite web |url=http://www.humboldt.org.co/images/documentos/pdf/documentos/iern-biodiversidad-2010-2011.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://www.humboldt.org.co/images/documentos/pdf/documentos/iern-biodiversidad-2010-2011.pdf |archive-date=9 October 2022 |url-status=live |title=Informe sobre el estado de los recursos naturales renovables y del ambiente Componente de biodiversidad, 2010–2011 |publisher=humboldt.org.co|language=es|access-date=25 May 2017}}</ref>

Protected areas and the "National Park System" cover an area of about {{convert|14268224|ha|km2|sp=us}} and account for 12.77% of the Colombian territory.<ref>{{cite web |language=es |url=http://www.parquesnacionales.gov.co/portal/sistema-de-parques-nacionales-naturales/ |title=Dirección de Parques Nacionales Naturales de Colombia |access-date=15 November 2015 |archive-date=5 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305033857/http://parquesnacionales.gov.co/portal/sistema-de-parques-nacionales-naturales |url-status=dead }}</ref> Compared to neighboring countries, rates of [[deforestation in Colombia]] are still relatively low.<ref name="United Nations Deforestation">{{cite web |url=http://hdr.undp.org/en/content/change-forest-area-19902011 |title=Change in forest area, 1990/2011 (%) |publisher=undp.org |access-date=18 February 2015 |archive-date=15 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150215040216/http://hdr.undp.org/en/content/change-forest-area-19902011 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Colombia had a 2018 [[Forest Landscape Integrity Index]] mean score of 8.26/10, ranking it 25th globally out of 172 countries.<ref name="FLII-Supplementary">{{cite journal|last1=Grantham|first1=H. S.|last2=Duncan|first2=A.|last3=Evans|first3=T. D.|last4=Jones|first4=K. R.|last5=Beyer|first5=H. L.|last6=Schuster|first6=R.|last7=Walston|first7=J.|last8=Ray|first8=J. C.|last9=Robinson|first9=J. G.|last10=Callow|first10=M.|last11=Clements|first11=T.|last12=Costa|first12=H. M.|last13=DeGemmis|first13=A.|last14=Elsen|first14=P. R.|last15=Ervin|first15=J.|last16=Franco|first16=P.|last17=Goldman|first17=E.|last18=Goetz|first18=S.|last19=Hansen|first19=A.|last20=Hofsvang|first20=E.|last21=Jantz|first21=P.|last22=Jupiter|first22=S.|last23=Kang|first23=A.|last24=Langhammer|first24=P.|last25=Laurance|first25=W. F.|last26=Lieberman|first26=S.|last27=Linkie|first27=M.|last28=Malhi|first28=Y.|last29=Maxwell|first29=S.|last30=Mendez|first30=M.|last31=Mittermeier|first31=R.|last32=Murray|first32=N. J.|last33=Possingham|first33=H.|last34=Radachowsky|first34=J.|last35=Saatchi|first35=S.|last36=Samper|first36=C.|last37=Silverman|first37=J.|last38=Shapiro|first38=A.|last39=Strassburg|first39=B.|last40=Stevens|first40=T.|last41=Stokes|first41=E.|last42=Taylor|first42=R.|last43=Tear|first43=T.|last44=Tizard|first44=R.|last45=Venter|first45=O.|last46=Visconti|first46=P.|last47=Wang|first47=S.|last48=Watson|first48=J. E. M.|title=Anthropogenic modification of forests means only 40% of remaining forests have high ecosystem integrity – Supplementary Material|journal=Nature Communications|volume=11|issue=1|year=2020|page=5978|issn=2041-1723|doi=10.1038/s41467-020-19493-3|pmid=33293507|pmc=7723057|bibcode=2020NatCo..11.5978G }}</ref> Colombia is the sixth country in the world by magnitude of total renewable freshwater supply, and still has large reserves of freshwater.<ref name=worldwater>{{cite web|url=http://worldwater.org/water-data/|title=Table 1: Total Renewable Freshwater Supply, by Country|publisher=worldwater.org|access-date=1 April 2014|archive-date=31 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180731123429/http://www.worldwater.org/water-data/|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Government and politics ==
{{Main|Government of Colombia}}
{{See also|Colombian Constitution of 1991}}
[[File:Casa_de_Nariño_y_Vigilantes.jpg|thumb|[[Casa de Nariño]] is the official home and principal workplace of the [[President of Colombia]].]]

The government of Colombia takes place within the framework of a [[presidential system|presidential]] [[Participatory democracy|participatory democratic]] republic as established in the Constitution of 1991.<ref name="Colombian Constitution of 1991" /> In accordance with the principle of [[separation of powers]], government is divided into three branches: the executive branch, the legislative branch and the judicial branch.<ref>Colombian Constitution of 1991 (Title V – Concerning the organization of the state – Chapter 1 – Concerning the structure of the state – Article 113)</ref>

As the head of the executive branch, the [[President of Colombia]] serves as both [[head of state]] and [[head of government]], followed by the [[Vice President of Colombia|Vice President]] and the [[Council of Ministers of the Republic of Colombia|Council of Ministers]]. The president is elected by popular vote to serve a single four-year term (In 2015, Colombia's Congress approved the repeal of a 2004 constitutional amendment that changed the one-term limit for presidents to a two-term limit).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/hoy-san-diego/sdhoy-colombian-lawmakers-vote-to-limit-presidents-to-2015jun04-story.html|title=Colombian lawmakers vote to limit presidents to single term|work=The San Diego Union-Tribune|date=4 June 2015|access-date=3 May 2017|archive-date=31 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180731153517/http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/hoy-san-diego/sdhoy-colombian-lawmakers-vote-to-limit-presidents-to-2015jun04-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref> At the provincial level executive power is vested in [[List of Colombian Department Governors|department governors]], [[municipalities of Colombia|municipal mayors]] and local administrators for smaller administrative subdivisions, such as ''[[Corregimientos of Colombia|corregimientos]]'' or ''comunas''.<ref>Colombian Constitution of 1991 (Title V – Concerning the organization of the state – Chapter 1 – Concerning the structure of the state – Article 115)</ref> All regional elections are held one year and five months after the presidential election.<ref name="Government">{{cite web|url=http://www.banrepcultural.org/blaavirtual/ayudadetareas/gobierno/gob3a.htm|title=The Government of Colombia|publisher=banrepcultural.org|access-date=14 March 2014|language=es|archive-date=15 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140315042920/http://www.banrepcultural.org/blaavirtual/ayudadetareas/gobierno/gob3a.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>Colombian Constitution of 1991 (Title VII – Concerning the executive branch)</ref>
[[File:Capitalio National de Colombia, Bogotá.jpg|thumb|[[Capitolio Nacional]], seat of the [[Congress of Colombia|Congress]]]]

The legislative branch of government is represented nationally by the [[Congress of Colombia|Congress]], a bicameral institution comprising a 166-seat [[Chamber of Representatives of Colombia|Chamber of Representatives]] and a 102-seat [[Senate of Colombia|Senate]].<ref>Colombian Constitution of 1991 (Title V – Concerning the organization of the state – Chapter 1 – Concerning the structure of the state – Article 114)</ref><ref>Colombian Constitution of 1991 (Chapter 4 – Concerning the senate – Article 171)</ref> The Senate is elected nationally and the Chamber of Representatives is elected in electoral districts.<ref>Colombian Constitution of 1991 (Chapter 5 – Concerning the chamber of representatives – Article 176)</ref> Members of both houses are elected to serve four-year terms two months before the president, also by popular vote.<ref>Colombian Constitution of 1991 (Title VI – Concerning the legislative branch – Chapter 1 – Concerning its structure and functions – Article 132)</ref>
[[File:Palacio_de_Justicia_de_Colombia,_Bogotá.jpg|thumb|[[Palace of Justice of Colombia]], seat and symbol of the [[Judiciary of Colombia]]]]

The judicial branch is headed by [[Judiciary of Colombia|four high courts]],<ref>Colombian Constitution of 1991 (Title VII – Concerning the judiciary branch – Chapter 2 – Concerning ordinary jurisdiction – Article 234)</ref> consisting of the [[Supreme Court of Justice of Colombia|Supreme Court]] which deals with penal and civil matters, the [[Council of State of Colombia|Council of State]], which has special responsibility for [[administrative law]] and also provides legal advice to the executive, the [[Constitutional Court of Colombia|Constitutional Court]], responsible for assuring the integrity of the Colombian constitution, and the [[Superior Council of Judicature]], responsible for auditing the judicial branch.<ref>Colombian Constitution of 1991 (Title VIII – Concerning the judiciary branch)</ref> Colombia operates a system of [[civil law (legal system)|civil law]], which since 1991 has been applied through an [[adversarial system]].<ref>{{Cite book|last=Landau|first=David|title=Colombian Constitutional Law: Leading Cases|publisher=Oxford University Press|year=2017|isbn=9780190640378|pages=217|quote=The 1991 Constitution moved Colombia away from the inquisitorial criminal system that it has traditionally possessed (and where the judge plays the leading role in the criminal process), and toward an adversarial system more like the American system, where lawyers act for each side as the protagonists.}}</ref>

Despite a number of controversies, the [[democratic security policy]] has ensured that former President [[Álvaro Uribe]] remained popular among Colombian people, with his approval rating peaking at 76%, according to a poll in 2009.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.semana.com/politica/articulo/si-no-uribe-santos/103711-3|title=Si no es Uribe, es Santos|publisher=semana.com|date=1 June 2009|access-date=15 March 2014|author=Ipsos-Napoleon Franco poll|language=es|archive-date=16 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140316082009/http://www.semana.com/politica/articulo/si-no-uribe-santos/103711-3|url-status=live}}</ref> However, having served two terms, he was constitutionally barred from seeking re-election in 2010.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Colombian Court Blocks President's Bid for a Third Term|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/27/world/americas/27colombia.html|newspaper=The New York Times|date=26 February 2010|access-date=24 October 2015|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=5 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151005070520/http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/27/world/americas/27colombia.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In the run-off [[2010 Colombian presidential election|elections]] on 20 June 2010 the former Minister of Defense [[Juan Manuel Santos]] won with 69% of the vote against the second most popular candidate, [[Antanas Mockus]]. A second round was required since no candidate received over the 50% winning threshold of votes.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.registraduria.gov.co/imagenes/escrutinio_seg_vuelta.pdf|title=escrutinio 2ª Vuelta 2010|publisher=registraduria.gov.co|language=es|access-date=20 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718033546/http://www.registraduria.gov.co/imagenes/escrutinio_seg_vuelta.pdf|archive-date=18 July 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> Santos won re-election with nearly 51% of the vote in second-round [[2014 Colombian presidential election|elections]] on 15 June 2014, beating right-wing rival [[Óscar Iván Zuluaga]], who won 45%.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://elecciones.registraduria.gov.co:81/elecciones2014/presidente/2v/99PR2/DPR9999999_L1.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140705010101/https://elecciones.registraduria.gov.co:81/elecciones2014/presidente/2v/99PR2/DPR9999999_L1.htm|title=escrutinio 2ª Vuelta 2014|publisher=registraduria.gov.co|language=es|url-status=dead|archive-date=5 July 2014}}</ref> In 2018, [[Iván Duque]] won in the second round of the [[2018 Colombian presidential election|election]] with 54% of the vote, against 42% for his left-wing rival, [[Gustavo Petro]]. His term as Colombia's president ran for four years, beginning on 7 August 2018.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://presidente2018.registraduria.gov.co/resultados/2html/resultados.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180618010101/https://presidente2018.registraduria.gov.co/resultados/2html/resultados.html|title=2ª Vuelta 2018|publisher=registraduria.gov.co|language=es|url-status=dead|archive-date=18 June 2018}}</ref> In 2022, Colombia [[2022 Colombian presidential election|elected]] Gustavo Petro, who became its first leftist leader,<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Woodford |first1=Isabel |last2=Vargas |first2=Carlos |last3=Araujo |first3=Gabriel |date=23 June 2022 |title=Latin America's new 'pink tide' gains pace as Colombia shifts left; Brazil up next |language=en |publisher=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/latin-americas-new-pink-tide-gains-pace-colombia-shifts-left-brazil-up-next-2022-06-22/ |access-date=11 July 2022 |archive-date=28 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220628195416/https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/latin-americas-new-pink-tide-gains-pace-colombia-shifts-left-brazil-up-next-2022-06-22/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and [[Francia Marquez]], who was the first black person elected as vice president.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Turkewitz |first=Julie |date=19 June 2022 |title=Francia Márquez — a former housekeeper and activist — is Colombia's first Black vice president. |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/19/world/americas/francia-marquez-vice-president-colombia.html |access-date=30 July 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=4 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230604134301/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/19/world/americas/francia-marquez-vice-president-colombia.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Foreign affairs ===
{{Main|Foreign relations of Colombia}}
{{See also|List of diplomatic missions of Colombia}}
[[File:VII Cumbre de la Alianza del Pacífico, Santiago de Cali.jpg|thumb|The VII Summit of the [[Pacific Alliance]]: Former President of Colombia, [[Juan Manuel Santos]] is second from the left.]]

The foreign affairs of Colombia are headed by the President, as head of state, and managed by the [[Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Colombia)|Minister of Foreign Affairs]].<ref name="The foreign affairs">{{cite web|url=http://www.cancilleria.gov.co/en/ministry/the_ministry |title=The Ministry of Foreign Affairs |publisher=cancilleria.gov.co |access-date=15 March 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140227222556/http://www.cancilleria.gov.co/en/ministry/the_ministry |archive-date=27 February 2014 }}</ref> Colombia has diplomatic missions in all continents.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cancilleria.gov.co/en/colombian-embassies-and-consulates-abroad|title=Colombian Embassies and Consulates abroad|date=9 November 2015|publisher=cancilleria.gov.co|access-date=19 June 2016|archive-date=22 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220922113608/https://www.cancilleria.gov.co/en/colombian-embassies-and-consulates-abroad|url-status=live}}</ref>

Colombia was one of the four founding members of the [[Pacific Alliance]], which is a political, economic and co-operative integration mechanism that promotes the free circulation of goods, services, capital and persons between the members, as well as a common stock exchange and joint embassies in several countries.<ref name="The Pacific Alliance">{{cite web|url=https://alianzapacifico.net/en/what-is-the-pacific-alliance/#what-is-the-pacific-alliance|title=The Pacific Alliance and its Objectives|publisher=alianzapacifico.net|access-date=19 June 2016|archive-date=11 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230211035108/https://alianzapacifico.net/en/what-is-the-pacific-alliance/#what-is-the-pacific-alliance|url-status=live}}</ref> Colombia is also a member of the United Nations, the [[World Trade Organization]], the [[Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development]], the [[Organization of American States]], the [[Organization of Ibero-American States]], and the [[Andean Community of Nations]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cancilleria.gov.co/international/multilateral|title=Organismos multilaterales|publisher=cancilleria.gov.co|access-date=23 April 2017|archive-date=22 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220922064436/https://www.cancilleria.gov.co/international/multilateral|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cancilleria.gov.co/international/consensus |title=Mecanismos de Concertación e Integración Regionales |publisher=cancilleria.gov.co |access-date=23 April 2017 |archive-date=22 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220922020840/https://www.cancilleria.gov.co/international/consensus |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cancilleria.gov.co/international/regional |title=Organismos regionales |publisher=cancilleria.gov.co |access-date=23 April 2017 |archive-date=5 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221205134936/https://www.cancilleria.gov.co/international/regional |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cancilleria.gov.co/international/multilateral/inter-governmental|title=Organismos Intergubernamentales|publisher=cancilleria.gov.co|access-date=23 April 2017|archive-date=22 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220922015849/https://www.cancilleria.gov.co/international/multilateral/inter-governmental|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>[http://www.oecd.org/latin-america/countries/colombia/ A mutually beneficial relationship] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210216004726/http://www.oecd.org/latin-america/countries/colombia/ |date=16 February 2021 }}. oecd.org (25 May 2018).</ref>

Colombia is a global partner of [[NATO]]<ref>[http://nato.int/cps/en/natohq/topics_143936.htm?selectedLocale=en Relations with Colombia] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170521075718/http://nato.int/cps/en/natohq/topics_143936.htm?selectedLocale=en |date=21 May 2017 }}. nato.int (19 May 2017).</ref> and a [[major non-NATO ally]] of the [[United States]].<ref name=":1" />

=== Military ===
{{Main|Military Forces of Colombia}}
[[File:Arc fragata caldas.jpg|thumb|[[Colombian Navy]] [[Frigate]] [[Almirante Padilla-class frigate|ARC ''Caldas'']]]]

The executive branch of government is responsible for managing the defense of Colombia, with the President [[commander-in-chief]] of the armed forces. The [[Ministry of National Defence (Colombia)|Ministry of Defence]] exercises day-to-day control of the military and the [[Colombian National Police]]. Colombia has 455,461 active military personnel.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://asosec.co/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Logros_Sector_Defensa.pdf|title=Military Personnel – Logros de la Política Integral de Seguridad y Defensa para la Prosperidad|language=es|publisher=mindefensa|access-date=23 June 2017|archive-date=23 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170623061949/http://asosec.co/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Logros_Sector_Defensa.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2016, 3.4% of the country's GDP went towards military expenditure, placing it 24th in the world. Colombia's armed forces are the largest in Latin America, and it is the second largest spender on its military after Brazil.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sipri.org/sites/default/files/Milex-constant-2015-USD.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://www.sipri.org/sites/default/files/Milex-constant-2015-USD.pdf |archive-date=9 October 2022 |url-status=live|title=Military spending|publisher=sipri.org|access-date=22 June 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sipri.org/sites/default/files/Milex-share-of-GDP.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://www.sipri.org/sites/default/files/Milex-share-of-GDP.pdf |archive-date=9 October 2022 |url-status=live |title=Military expenditure (% of GDP)|publisher=sipri.org|access-date=22 June 2017}}</ref> In 2018, Colombia signed the UN [[treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://treaties.un.org/Pages/ViewDetails.aspx?src=TREATY&mtdsg_no=XXVI-9&chapter=26&clang=_en |title=Chapter XXVI: Disarmament&nbsp;– No. 9 Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons |publisher=United Nations Treaty Collection |date=7 July 2017 |access-date=17 November 2019 |archive-date=6 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190806220546/https://treaties.un.org/Pages/ViewDetails.aspx?src=TREATY&mtdsg_no=XXVI-9&chapter=26&clang=_en |url-status=live }}</ref>

The Colombian military is divided into three branches: the [[National Army of Colombia]]; the [[Colombian Aerospace Force]]; and the [[Colombian Navy]]. The National Police functions as a [[gendarmerie]], operating independently from the military as the law enforcement agency for the entire country. Each of these operates with their own intelligence apparatus separate from the [[National Intelligence Directorate (Colombia)|National Intelligence Directorate]] (DNI, in Spanish).<ref name="The Colombian military">{{cite web|title=Colombian Constitution of 1991 (Title VII: The Executive Branch – Chapter VII: The Public Force)|language=es|publisher=banrepcultural.org|access-date=20 May 2017|url=http://www.banrepcultural.org/blaavirtual/derecho/constitucion-politica-de-colombia-1991/titulo-7-capitulo-7|archive-date=21 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170521193530/http://www.banrepcultural.org/blaavirtual/derecho/constitucion-politica-de-colombia-1991/titulo-7-capitulo-7|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The National Army is formed by divisions, brigades, special brigades, and special units,<ref name="The National Army">{{cite web|url=http://www.ejercito.mil.co/?idcategoria=253869|title=Military units|language=es|publisher=ejercito.mil.co|access-date=10 March 2014|archive-date=3 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140403223436/http://ejercito.mil.co/?idcategoria=253869|url-status=live}}</ref> the Colombian Navy by the [[Colombian Naval Infantry|Naval Infantry]], the Naval Force of the Caribbean, the Naval Force of the Pacific, the Naval Force of the South, the Naval Force of the East, Colombia Coast Guards, Naval Aviation, and the Specific Command of San Andres y Providencia<ref name="the National Armada">{{cite web|url=https://www.armada.mil.co/es/content/fuerzas-y-comandos|title=Forces and commands|language=es|publisher=armada.mil.co|access-date=10 March 2014|archive-date=8 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140208012034/http://armada.mil.co/es/content/fuerzas-y-comandos|url-status=live}}</ref> and the Aerospace Force by 15 air units.<ref name="The Air Force">{{cite web|url=https://www.fac.mil.co/unidades-aereas|title=Air units|language=es|publisher=ejercito.mil.co|access-date=10 March 2014|archive-date=17 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141217104239/http://www.fac.mil.co/unidades-aereas|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Administrative divisions ===
{{Main|Departments of Colombia|Municipalities of Colombia}}
{{See also|List of cities in Colombia|Corregimientos of Colombia}}
Colombia is divided into 32 [[Departments of Colombia|departments]] and one [[Bogotá|capital district]], which is treated as a department (Bogotá also serves as the capital of the [[Cundinamarca Department|department of Cundinamarca]]). Departments are subdivided into [[Municipalities of Colombia|municipalities]], each of which is assigned a municipal seat, and municipalities are in turn subdivided into ''[[Corregimientos of Colombia|corregimientos]]'' in rural areas and into ''[[Comunas of Colombia|comunas]]'' in urban areas. Each department has a local government with a governor and assembly directly elected to four-year terms, and each municipality is headed by a mayor and council. There is a popularly elected local administrative board in each of the ''corregimientos'' or ''comunas''.<ref name="Administrative divisions">{{cite web|url=http://www.dane.gov.co/Divipola/|title=Codificación de la División Político-Administrativa de Colombia (Divipola)|language=es|publisher=dane.gov.co|access-date=15 March 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140209012507/http://dane.gov.co/Divipola/|archive-date=9 February 2014}}</ref><ref name="Concerning the territorial organization">Colombian Constitution of 1991 (Title XI – Concerning the territorial organization)</ref><ref>Colombian Constitution of 1991 (Title XI – Concerning the territorial organization – Chapter 3 – Concerning the municipal regime – Article 318)</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last=Herrera Llanos |first=W |year=2011 |title=Régimen municipal en Colombia (Continuación del tema sobre Organización Territorial) |journal=Revista de Derecho |publisher=Universidad del Norte |page=27}}</ref>

In addition to the capital, four other cities have been designated [[Districts of Colombia|districts]] (in effect special municipalities), on the basis of special distinguishing features. These are [[Barranquilla]], [[Cartagena, Colombia|Cartagena]], [[Santa Marta]] and [[Buenaventura, Colombia|Buenaventura]]. Some departments have local administrative subdivisions, where towns have a large concentration of population and municipalities are near each other (for example, in Antioquia and Cundinamarca). Where departments have a low population (for example Amazonas, Vaupés and Vichada), special administrative divisions are employed, such as "department ''corregimientos''", which are a hybrid of a municipality and a ''corregimiento''.<ref name="Administrative divisions" /><ref name="Concerning the territorial organization" />

<small>Click on a department on the map below to go to its article.</small>
{{Colombia map clickable}}
{|
|- valign="top"
|<!--First column:-->
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! || Department || Capital city
|-
| 1 || [[File:Flag of Amazonas (Colombia).svg|border|22x20px|Flag of the Department of Amazonas]] [[Amazonas (Colombian department)|Amazonas]] || [[Leticia, Colombia|Leticia]]
|-
| 2 || [[File:Flag of Antioquia Department.svg|border|22x20px|Flag of the Department of Antioquia]] [[Antioquia Department|Antioquia]] || [[Medellín]]
|-
| 3 || [[File:Flag of Arauca.svg|22x20px|Flag of the Department of Arauca]] [[Arauca Department|Arauca]] || [[Arauca, Arauca|Arauca]]
|-
| 4 || [[File:Flag of Atlántico.svg|border|22x20px|Flag of the Department of Atlántico]] [[Atlántico Department|Atlántico]] || [[Barranquilla]]
|-
| 5 || [[File:Flag of Bolívar (Colombia).svg|22x20px|Flag of the Department of Bolívar]] [[Bolívar Department|Bolívar]] || [[Cartagena, Colombia|Cartagena]]
|-
| 6 || [[File:Flag of Boyacá Department.svg|22x20px|Flag of the Department of Boyacá]] [[Boyacá Department|Boyacá]] || [[Tunja]]
|-
| 7 || [[File:Flag of Caldas.svg|22x20px|Flag of the Department of Caldas]] [[Caldas Department|Caldas]] || [[Manizales]]
|-
| 8 || [[File:Flag of Caquetá.svg|border|22x20px|Flag of the Department of Caquetá]] [[Department of Caquetá|Caquetá]] || [[Florencia, Caquetá|Florencia]]
|-
| 9 || [[File:Flag of Casanare.svg|22x20px|Flag of the Department of Casanare]] [[Casanare Department|Casanare]]{{Spaces|2}}||{{Smaller|[[Yopal]]}}
|-
| 10 || [[File:Flag of Cauca.svg|22x20px|Flag of the Department of Cauca]] [[Cauca Department|Cauca]] || [[Popayán]]
|-
| 11 || [[File:Flag of Cesar.svg|22x20px|Flag of the Department of Cesar]] [[Cesar Department|Cesar]] || [[Valledupar]]{{nbsp|6}}
|-
| 12 || [[File:Flag of Chocó.svg|22x20px|Flag of the Department of Chocó]] [[Chocó Department|Chocó]] || [[Quibdó]]
|-
| 13 || [[File:Flag of Córdoba.svg|22x20px|Flag of the Department of Córdoba]] [[Córdoba Department|Córdoba]] || [[Montería]]
|-
| 14 || [[File:Flag of Cundinamarca.svg|22x20px|Flag of the Department of Cundinamarca]] [[Cundinamarca Department|Cundinamarca]] || [[Bogotá]]
|-
| 15 || [[File:Flag of Guainía.svg|22x20px|Flag of the Department of Guainía]] [[Guainía Department|Guainía]] || [[Inírida, Guainía|Inírida]]
|-
| 16 || [[File:Flag of Guaviare.svg|22x20px|Flag of the Department of Guaviare]] [[Guaviare Department|Guaviare]] || [[San José del Guaviare]]
|-
| 17 || [[File:Flag of Huila.svg|border|22x20px|Flag of the Department of Huila]] [[Huila Department|Huila]] || [[Neiva, Colombia|Neiva]]
|}
|<!--Second column:-->
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! || Department || Capital city
|-
| 18 || [[File:Flag of La Guajira.svg|border|22x20px|Flag of La Guajira]] [[Department of La Guajira|La Guajira]]{{nbsp|2}}||{{Smaller|[[Riohacha]]}}
|-
| 19 || [[File:Flag of Magdalena.svg|22x20px|Flag of the Department of Magdalena]] [[Magdalena Department|Magdalena]] || [[Santa Marta]]
|-
| 20 || [[File:Flag of Meta.svg|22x20px|Flag of the Department of Meta]] [[Meta Department|Meta]] || [[Villavicencio]]
|-
| 21 || [[File:Flag of Nariño.svg|22x20px|Flag of the Department of Nariño]] [[Nariño Department|Nariño]] || [[Pasto, Colombia|Pasto]]
|-
| 22 || [[File:Flag of Norte de Santander.svg|22x20px|Flag of the Department of Norte de Santander]] [[Norte de Santander Department|Norte de Santander]] || [[Cúcuta]]
|-
| 23 || [[File:Flag of Putumayo.svg|22x20px|Flag of the Department of Putumayo]] [[Putumayo Department|Putumayo]] || [[Mocoa]]
|-
| 24 || [[File:Flag of Quindío.svg|22x20px|Flag of the Department of Quindío]] [[Quindío Department|Quindío]] || [[Armenia, Colombia|Armenia]]
|-
| 25 || [[File:Flag of Risaralda.svg|22x20px|Flag of the Department of Risaralda]] [[Risaralda Department|Risaralda]] || [[Pereira, Colombia|Pereira]]
|-
| 26 || [[File:Flag of San Andrés y Providencia.svg|22x20px|Flag of the Department of San Andres, Providencia and Santa Catalina]] [[Archipelago of San Andrés, Providencia and Santa Catalina|San Andrés, Providencia<br />and Santa Catalina]] || [[San Andrés, San Andrés y Providencia|San Andrés]]
|-
| 27 || [[File:Flag of Santander (Colombia).svg|22x20px|Flag of the Department of Santander]] [[Santander Department|Santander]] || [[Bucaramanga]]
|-
| 28 || [[File:Flag of Sucre (Colombia).svg|border|22x20px|Flag of the Department of Sucre]] [[Sucre Department|Sucre]] || [[Sincelejo]]
|-
| 29 || [[File:Flag of Tolima.svg|22x20px|Flag of the Department of Tolima]] [[Department of Tolima|Tolima]] || [[Ibagué]]
|-
| 30 || [[File:Flag of Valle del Cauca.svg|22x20px|Flag of the Department of Valle del Cauca]] [[Valle del Cauca Department|Valle del Cauca]] || [[Santiago de Cali|Cali]]
|-
| 31 || [[File:Flag of Vaupés.svg|border|22x20px|Flag of the Department of Vichada]] [[Vaupés Department|Vaupés]] || [[Mitú]]
|-
| 32 || [[File:Flag of Vichada.svg|22x20px|Flag of the Department of Vichada]] [[Vichada Department|Vichada]] || [[Puerto Carreño]]
|-
| 33 || [[File:Flag of Bogotá.svg|22x20px|Flag of Bogotá]] [[Bogotá]] || [[Bogotá]]
|}
|}

== Economy ==
{{Main|Economy of Colombia}}
{{See also|Industry of Colombia}}
[[File:Vista_Hacia_La_Torre_Bacatá_(242256171).jpeg|thumb|[[Skyline]] of [[Bogotá]]'s skyscrapers]]
[[File:Colombia GDP by sector in 2017.png|thumb|Colombia GDP by sector in 2017]]
[[File:Edificio Bancolombia - luces.jpg|thumb|[[Bancolombia]] headquarters in [[Medellín]]]]
Historically an agrarian economy, Colombia urbanized rapidly in the 20th century, by the end of which just 15.8% of the workforce were employed in agriculture, generating just 6.6% of GDP; 20% of the workforce were employed in industry and 65% in services, responsible for 33% and 60% of GDP respectively.<ref name="GDP Composition">{{cite web |url=http://databank.worldbank.org/data/reports.aspx?source=2&country=COL |publisher=worldbank.org |title=Agriculture, Industry, Services |access-date=24 May 2017 |archive-date=25 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170525061240/http://databank.worldbank.org/data/reports.aspx?source=2&country=COL |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ilo.org/ilostat/faces/ilostat-home/home?_adf.ctrl-state=19bjkp4nom_96&_afrLoop=655651903358909#! |publisher=ilo.org |title=Employment distribution by economic activity (by sex) |access-date=24 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170525061202/http://www.ilo.org/ilostat/faces/ilostat-home/home?_adf.ctrl-state=19bjkp4nom_96&_afrLoop=655651903358909#! |archive-date=25 May 2017 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The country's [[economic production]] is dominated by its strong [[domestic demand]]. [[Consumer spending|Consumption expenditure]] by households is the largest component of GDP.<ref name="GDPCOLOMBIA">{{cite web|url=http://www.dinero.com/economia/articulo/composicion-economia-colombiana-2015/214054|publisher=dinero.com|title=¿Cómo está compuesta la economía colombiana?|date=29 September 2015|language=es|access-date=29 September 2015|archive-date=20 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200920184555/https://www.dinero.com/economia/articulo/composicion-economia-colombiana-2015/214054|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="GDP">{{cite web|url=https://www.dane.gov.co/files/investigaciones/boletines/pib/bol_PIB_IVtrim17_oferta.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://www.dane.gov.co/files/investigaciones/boletines/pib/bol_PIB_IVtrim17_oferta.pdf |archive-date=9 October 2022 |url-status=live |publisher=dane.gov.co |title=Cuentas Trimestrales – Producto Interno Bruto (PIB) |language=es |access-date=16 February 2018}}</ref><ref name="Colombianeconomy">{{cite web|url=http://www.banrepcultural.org/blaavirtual/ayudadetareas/economia/econo106.htm|publisher=banrepcultural.org|title=Colombian economy|language=es|access-date=16 April 2013|archive-date=12 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150512141054/http://www.banrepcultural.org/blaavirtual/ayudadetareas/economia/econo106.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Colombia's [[market economy]] grew steadily in the latter part of the 20th century, with gross domestic product (GDP) increasing at an average rate of over 4% per year between 1970 and 1998. The country suffered a [[recession]] in 1999 (the first full year of negative growth since the [[Great Depression]]), and the recovery was long and painful. However, growth reaching 7% in 2007, one of the [[List of countries by GDP (real) growth rate|highest]] in Latin America.<ref name="Colombia's GDP growth">{{cite web|url=http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GDP.MKTP.KD.ZG/countries/CO?display=graph|title=Colombia's GDP growth|publisher=World Bank|access-date=9 March 2014|archive-date=5 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140705050710/http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GDP.MKTP.KD.ZG/countries/CO?display=graph|url-status=live}}</ref> According to [[International Monetary Fund]] estimates, in 2023, Colombia's GDP (PPP) was US$1&nbsp;trillion, [[List of countries by GDP (PPP)|32nd in the world]] and third in South America, after Brazil and Argentina.

Total [[government expenditures]] account for 28% of the domestic economy. [[External debt]] equals 40% of gross domestic product. A strong fiscal climate was reaffirmed by a boost in [[bond ratings]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/weo/2017/02/weodata/weorept.aspx?pr.x=52&pr.y=7&sy=2017&ey=2018&scsm=1&ssd=1&sort=country&ds=.&br=1&c=233&s=GGX_NGDP&grp=0&a=|publisher=imf.org|title=General government total expenditure (Percent of GDP)|access-date=15 January 2018|archive-date=26 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210926091539/https://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/weo/2017/02/weodata/weorept.aspx?pr.x=52&pr.y=7&sy=2017&ey=2018&scsm=1&ssd=1&sort=country&ds=.&br=1&c=233&s=GGX_NGDP&grp=0&a=|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.banrep.gov.co/sites/default/files/paginas/bdeudax_t.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://www.banrep.gov.co/sites/default/files/paginas/bdeudax_t.pdf |archive-date=9 October 2022 |url-status=live|publisher=banrep.gov.co |title=Deuda Externa de Colombia|access-date=15 January 2018}}</ref><ref name="heritage">{{cite web|url=http://www.heritage.org/index/country/colombia|title=Colombia|publisher=[[The Heritage Foundation]]|work=[[Index of Economic Freedom]]|access-date=30 January 2015|archive-date=9 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220409002035/https://www.heritage.org/index/country/colombia|url-status=unfit}}</ref> Annual inflation closed 2017 at 4.09% YoY (vs. 5.75% YoY in 2016).<ref name="Inflation Rate">{{cite web|url=http://www.banrep.gov.co/es/ipc|title=Colombia Inflation Rate|publisher=banrep.gov.co|access-date=15 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180116020027/http://www.banrep.gov.co/es/ipc|archive-date=16 January 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> The average national [[unemployment rate]] in 2017 was 9.4%,<ref name="Unemployment Rate">{{cite web|url=http://www.dane.gov.co/files/investigaciones/boletines/ech/ech/bol_empleo_dic_17.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://www.dane.gov.co/files/investigaciones/boletines/ech/ech/bol_empleo_dic_17.pdf |archive-date=9 October 2022 |url-status=live|title=Colombia Unemployment Rate|publisher=dane.gov.co|access-date=31 January 2018}}</ref> although the informality is the biggest problem facing the [[labour market]] (the income of formal workers climbed 24.8% in 5 years while labor incomes of informal workers rose only 9%).<ref name="informal workers">{{cite web|url=http://www.portafolio.co/economia/ingresos-trabajadores-informales-colombia|title=Incomes of informal workers grow less|publisher=portafolio.co|language=es|access-date=19 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131221054526/http://www.portafolio.co/economia/ingresos-trabajadores-informales-colombia|archive-date=21 December 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> Colombia has [[free-trade zone]]s (FTZ),<ref name="FTZ">{{cite web|url=http://www.investincolombia.com.co/investment-incentives/permanent-free-trade-zone.html|title=Colombia's Permanent Free Trade Zones Directory|publisher=investincolombia.com.co|access-date=19 December 2013|archive-date=29 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200929113346/https://investincolombia.com.co/investment-incentives/permanent-free-trade-zone.html|url-status=live}}</ref> such as Zona Franca del Pacifico, located in the [[Valle del Cauca Department|Valle del Cauca]], one of the most striking areas for foreign investment.<ref name="Zonas Francas">[http://www.zonafrancadelpacifico.com/ Zonas Francas] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200528073604/https://www.zonafrancadelpacifico.com/ |date=28 May 2020 }}. zonafrancadelpacifico.com</ref>

The [[financial sector]] has grown favorably due to good liquidity in the economy, the growth of credit and the positive performance of the Colombian economy.<ref name="strongmacroeconomicmanagement">{{cite web |url=http://www.imf.org/en/news/articles/2018/04/30/pr18154-imf-executive-board-concludes-2018-article-iv-consultation-with-colombia |title=IMF Executive Board Concludes 2018 Article IV Consultation with Colombia |access-date=2 May 2018 |publisher=imf.org |archive-date=4 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220604213121/https://www.imf.org/en/news/articles/2018/04/30/pr18154-imf-executive-board-concludes-2018-article-iv-consultation-with-colombia |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.superfinanciera.gov.co/jsp/loader.jsf?lServicio=Publicaciones&lTipo=publicaciones&lFuncion=loadContenidoPublicacion&id=61066|title=Informe de operaciones|access-date=9 March 2014|publisher=superfinanciera.gov.co|language=es|archive-date=1 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220601230140/https://www.superfinanciera.gov.co/jsp/loader.jsf?lServicio=Publicaciones&lTipo=publicaciones&lFuncion=loadContenidoPublicacion&id=61066|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.banrep.gov.co/reporte-estabilidad-financiera|title=Reporte de Estabilidad Financiera|access-date=9 March 2014|publisher=banrep.gov.co|language=es|archive-date=21 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220321200635/https://www.banrep.gov.co/reporte-estabilidad-financiera|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[Colombian Stock Exchange]] through the Latin American Integrated Market ([[Mercado Integrado Latinoamericano|MILA]]) offers a regional market to trade equities.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mercadomila.com/QuienesSomos|title=The Latin American Integrated Market (MILA)|access-date=14 March 2014|publisher=mercadomila.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140315042207/http://www.mercadomila.com/QuienesSomos|archive-date=15 March 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.banrep.org/series-estadisticas/see_m_bursatil.htm|title=Colombia's Colcap Index|access-date=9 March 2014|publisher=banrep.org|language=es|archive-date=17 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170717083555/http://www.banrep.org/series-estadisticas/see_m_bursatil.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> Colombia is now one of only three economies with a perfect score on the strength of legal rights index, according to the [[World Bank]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.doingbusiness.org/~/media/WBG/DoingBusiness/Documents/Annual-Reports/English/DB17-Report.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://www.doingbusiness.org/~/media/WBG/DoingBusiness/Documents/Annual-Reports/English/DB17-Report.pdf |archive-date=9 October 2022 |url-status=live |title=World Bank's 2017 Doing Business ranking|access-date=29 October 2016|publisher=doingbusiness.org}}</ref>

Colombia is rich in natural resources, and it is heavily dependent on energy and mining exports.<ref>{{cite web |title=Is Colombia a poor country? {{!}} – CountryReports |url=https://www.countryreports.org/country/Colombia/economy.htm |website=countryreports.org |access-date=19 January 2022 |archive-date=18 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220318083341/https://www.countryreports.org/country/Colombia/economy.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> Colombia's main exports include mineral fuels, oils, [[distillation]] products, fruit and other agricultural products, sugars and sugar confectionery, [[food products]], plastics, precious stones, metals, forest products, [[Chemical industry|chemical goods]], [[pharmaceuticals]], vehicles, electronic products, electrical equipment, perfumery and cosmetics, machinery, manufactured articles, textile and fabrics, clothing and footwear, glass and glassware, furniture, prefabricated buildings, military products, home and office material, construction equipment, software, among others.<ref name="ITC Colombia Exports">{{cite web|url=http://legacy.intracen.org/appli1/TradeCom/TP_EP_CI.aspx?RP=170&YR=2013|title=International Trade Centre: Colombia Exports|access-date=15 April 2015|publisher=intracen.org|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150413170259/http://legacy.intracen.org/appli1/TradeCom/TP_EP_CI.aspx?RP=170&YR=2013|archive-date=13 April 2015}}</ref> Principal trading partners are the United States, China, the European Union and some Latin American countries.<ref name="Exports">{{cite web|url=https://www.dane.gov.co/files/investigaciones/boletines/exportaciones/bol_exp_dic17.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://www.dane.gov.co/files/investigaciones/boletines/exportaciones/bol_exp_dic17.pdf |archive-date=9 October 2022 |url-status=live|title=Exports – partners|publisher=dane.gov.co|access-date=15 February 2018}}</ref><ref name="Imports">{{cite web|url=https://www.dane.gov.co/files/investigaciones/boletines/importaciones/bol_impo_dic17.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://www.dane.gov.co/files/investigaciones/boletines/importaciones/bol_impo_dic17.pdf |archive-date=9 October 2022 |url-status=live|title=Imports – partners|publisher=dane.gov.co|access-date=15 February 2018}}</ref>

Non-traditional exports have boosted the growth of Colombian foreign sales as well as the diversification of destinations of export thanks to new free [[Colombia trade agreements|trade agreements]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mincit.gov.co/publicaciones.php?id=4930|title=Non-traditional exports|access-date=31 January 2014|publisher=mincit.gov.co|language=es|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202205854/http://www.mincit.gov.co/publicaciones.php?id=4930|archive-date=2 February 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> Recent economic growth has led to a considerable increase of new millionaires, including the new entrepreneurs, Colombians with a net worth exceeding US$1&nbsp;billion.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blogs.ft.com/beyond-brics/2013/10/21/colombia-making-many-millionaires/|title=Colombia: making many millionaires|access-date=29 March 2014|work=Financial Times|archive-date=9 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150709123707/http://blogs.ft.com/beyond-brics/2013/10/21/colombia-making-many-millionaires/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dinero.com/edicion-impresa/negocios/articulo/pais-ricos/163667 |title=País de ricos |access-date=8 April 2013 |publisher=dinero.com |language=es |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140329100504/http://www.dinero.com/edicion-impresa/negocios/articulo/pais-ricos/163667 |archive-date=29 March 2014 }}</ref>

In 2017, however, the National Administrative Department of Statistics (DANE) reported that 26.9% of the population were living below the poverty line, of which 7.4% were in "extreme poverty". The multidimensional poverty rate stands at 17.0 percent of the population.<ref name="socio-economic policies">{{cite web |url=https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SI.POV.GINI?locations=CO |title=GINI index (World Bank estimate) – Colombia |publisher=World Bank |access-date=19 June 2021 |archive-date=8 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161108065750/https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SI.POV.GINI?locations=CO |url-status=live }}</ref> The Government has also been developing a process of [[financial inclusion]] within the country's most vulnerable population.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.centerforfinancialinclusion.org/storage/documents/EIU_Microscope_2016_English_web.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://www.centerforfinancialinclusion.org/storage/documents/EIU_Microscope_2016_English_web.pdf |archive-date=9 October 2022 |url-status=live|title=Colombia and Peru demonstrate the most conducive environments for financial inclusion|publisher=2016 Global Microscope on Financial Inclusion – The Economist Intelligence Unit|access-date=9 January 2017}}</ref>

The contribution of [[Tourism in Colombia|tourism]] to GDP was US$5,880.3bn (2.0% of total GDP) in 2016. Tourism generated 556,135 jobs (2.5% of total employment) in 2016.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_TTCR_2017_web_0401.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_TTCR_2017_web_0401.pdf |archive-date=9 October 2022 |url-status=live|title=The Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Report 2017|page=130|publisher=World Economic Forum}}</ref> Foreign tourist visits were predicted to have risen from 0.6&nbsp;million in 2007 to 4&nbsp;million in 2017.<ref>{{cite news|title=UNWTO Tourism Highlights, 2018 Edition|year=2018|publisher=unwto.org|doi=10.18111/9789284419876|isbn=9789284419876}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://noticias.lainformacion.com/economia-negocios-y-finanzas/turismo-y-tiempo-libre/la-omt-destaca-crecimiento-del-turismo-en-colombia-en-los-ultimos-diez-anos_Qf0PXwFP6sbVhdnrGcFoe3/|title=La OMT destaca crecimiento del turismo en Colombia en los últimos diez años|publisher=lainformacion.com|date=25 June 2014|language=es|access-date=25 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140711233513/http://noticias.lainformacion.com/economia-negocios-y-finanzas/turismo-y-tiempo-libre/la-omt-destaca-crecimiento-del-turismo-en-colombia-en-los-ultimos-diez-anos_Qf0PXwFP6sbVhdnrGcFoe3/|archive-date=11 July 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== Agriculture and natural resources ===
{{Main|Agriculture in Colombia|Mining in Colombia}}
[[File:Cerrejón mine.JPG|thumb|[[Cerrejón]] is an [[open-pit coal mine]], the largest of its type, the largest in Latin America and the tenth biggest in the world.]]

In agriculture, Colombia is one of the five largest producers in the world of [[coffee]], [[avocado]] and [[palm oil]], and one of the 10 largest producers in the world of [[sugarcane]], [[banana]], [[pineapple]] and [[Cocoa bean|cocoa]]. The country also has considerable production of [[rice]], [[potato]] and [[cassava]]. Although it is not the largest coffee producer in the world (Brazil claims that title), the country has been able to carry out, for decades, a global marketing campaign to add value to the country's product. Colombian palm oil production is one of the most sustainable on the planet, compared to the largest existing producers. Colombia is also among the 20 largest producers in the world of [[beef]] and [[chicken meat]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/QCL/ |title=Agriculture and Livestock in Colombia, by FAO |access-date=14 July 2022 |archive-date=29 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200629173611/http://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/QCL/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://revistacafeicultura.com.br/?mat=35160 |title=Juan Valdez, garoto propaganda do Café da Colômbia chega aos 50 anos |access-date=14 July 2022 |archive-date=29 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231129012817/https://revistacafeicultura.com.br/?mat=35160 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://summitagro.estadao.com.br/noticias-do-campo/como-e-possivel-produzir-oleo-de-palma-de-maneira-sustentavel-2/ |title=Como é possível produzir óleo de palma de maneira sustentável |date=6 January 2020 |access-date=14 July 2022 |archive-date=15 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230715073551/https://summitagro.estadao.com.br/noticias-do-campo/como-e-possivel-produzir-oleo-de-palma-de-maneira-sustentavel-2/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Colombia is also the 2nd largest [[flower]] exporter in the world, after the Netherlands.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.negocioscomflores.com.br/noticias/como-funciona-a-industria-de-flores-na-colombia-maior-exportador-mundial/ |title=COMO FUNCIONA A INDUSTRIA DE FLORES NA COLOMBIA – MAIOR EXPORTADOR MUNDIAL |access-date=14 July 2022 |archive-date=15 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230715073552/https://www.negocioscomflores.com.br/noticias/como-funciona-a-industria-de-flores-na-colombia-maior-exportador-mundial/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Colombian agriculture emits 55% of Colombia's [[greenhouse gas]] emissions, mostly from deforestation, over-extensive cattle ranching, land grabbing, and illegal agriculture.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kliefoth |first=Willis |date=2021-10-06 |title=Towards a greener, fairer and more productive land use sector in Colombia |url=https://climatefocus.com/towards-greener-fairer-and-more-productive-land-use-sector-colombia/ |access-date=2024-04-18 |website=Climate Focus |language=en-US |archive-date=18 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240418115650/https://climatefocus.com/towards-greener-fairer-and-more-productive-land-use-sector-colombia/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Colombia is an important exporter of [[coal]] and [[petroleum]] – in 2020, more than 40% of the country's exports were based on these two products.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://oec.world/en/profile/country/col |title=Colombian exports, by OEC |access-date=14 July 2022 |archive-date=3 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220603062300/https://oec.world/en/profile/country/col |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2018 it was the 5th largest coal exporter in the world.<ref>{{cite web |title=Primary Coal Exports |url=https://www.eia.gov/international/data/world/coal-and-coke/coal-and-coke-exports |publisher=[[Energy Information Administration|US Energy Information Administration]] |access-date=26 July 2020 |archive-date=13 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200813010028/https://www.eia.gov/international/data/world/coal-and-coke/coal-and-coke-exports |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2019, Colombia was the 20th largest petroleum producer in the world, with 791 thousand barrels/day, exporting a good part of its production – the country was the 19th largest oil exporter in the world in 2020.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.eia.gov/international/data/world/petroleum-and-other-liquids/annual-petroleum-and-other-liquids-production?pd=5&p=0000000000000000000000000000000000vg&u=0&f=A&v=mapbubble&a=-&i=none&vo=value&&t=C&g=00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000001&l=249-ruvvvvvfvtvnvv1vrvvvvfvvvvvvfvvvou20evvvvvvvvvvnvvvs0008&s=94694400000&e=1577836800000| title=EIA 2019 Petroleum production| access-date=14 July 2022| archive-date=15 July 2022| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220715213839/https://www.eia.gov/international/data/world/petroleum-and-other-liquids/annual-petroleum-and-other-liquids-production?pd=5&p=0000000000000000000000000000000000vg&u=0&f=A&v=mapbubble&a=-&i=none&vo=value&&t=C&g=00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000001&l=249-ruvvvvvfvtvnvv1vrvvvvfvvvvvvfvvvou20evvvvvvvvvvnvvvs0008&s=94694400000&e=1577836800000| url-status=live}}</ref> In mining, Colombia is the world's largest producer of [[emerald]],<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.bbc.com/portuguese/noticias/2012/10/121025_colombia_esmeraldas_ru| title=Colombian emeralds| access-date=14 July 2022| archive-date=21 December 2021| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211221174300/https://www.bbc.com/portuguese/noticias/2012/10/121025_colombia_esmeraldas_ru| url-status=live}}</ref> and in the production of [[gold]], between 2006 and 2017, the country produced 15 tons per year until 2007, when its production increased significantly, beating the record of 66.1 tons extracted in 2012. In 2017, it extracted 52.2 tons. Currently, the country is among the 25 largest gold producers in the world.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.ceicdata.com/en/indicator/colombia/gold-production |title=Colombia Gold Production |access-date=14 July 2022 |archive-date=16 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210816022625/https://www.ceicdata.com/en/indicator/colombia/gold-production |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Energy and transportation===
{{Main|Electricity sector in Colombia|Transport in Colombia}}
[[File:Hidrosogamoso,_Represa.JPG|thumb|[[Sogamoso Dam]]]]

The electricity production in Colombia comes mainly from [[Renewable energy]] sources. 69.93% is obtained from the [[Hydroelectricity|hydroelectric generation]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.siel.gov.co/Inicio/Generaci%C3%B3n/Estad%C3%ADsticasyvariablesdegeneraci%C3%B3n/tabid/115/Default.aspx|title=Colombian Electricity Market – Evolución Variables de Generación Diciembre de 2016|publisher=Unidad de Planeación Minero Energética de Colombia|language=es|access-date=1 April 2014|archive-date=20 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220520050251/http://www.siel.gov.co/Inicio/Generaci%C3%B3n/Estad%C3%ADsticasyvariablesdegeneraci%C3%B3n/tabid/115/Default.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref> Colombia's commitment to renewable energy was recognized in the 2014 ''Global Green Economy Index (GGEI)'', ranking among the top 10 nations in the world in terms of greening efficiency sectors.<ref name=ggei>{{cite web|title=2014 Global Green Economy Index|url=http://dualcitizeninc.com/GGEI-Report2014.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://dualcitizeninc.com/GGEI-Report2014.pdf |archive-date=9 October 2022 |url-status=live|publisher=Dual Citizen LLC|access-date=20 October 2014}}</ref>

[[File:Cartagena2011-Skyline-Habour.jpg|thumb|Port of [[Cartagena de Indias|Cartagena]]]]

Transportation in Colombia is regulated within the functions of the [[Ministry of Transport (Colombia)|Ministry of Transport]]<ref name="MTransport">{{cite web|url=https://www.mintransporte.gov.co/publicaciones.php?id=33|title=Ministry of Transport|date=8 May 2011 |publisher=mintransporte.gov.co|language=es|access-date=27 November 2014|archive-date=1 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141201163042/https://www.mintransporte.gov.co/publicaciones.php?id=33|url-status=live}}</ref> and entities such as the National Roads Institute ([[INVÍAS]]) responsible for the [[Highways in Colombia]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.invias.gov.co/index.php/informacion-institucional/objetivos-y-funciones|title=INVÍAS – Objectives and Functions|publisher=invias.gov.co|language=es|access-date=27 November 2014|archive-date=6 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141206040650/http://www.invias.gov.co/index.php/informacion-institucional/objetivos-y-funciones|url-status=live}}</ref> the [[Aerocivil]], responsible for civil aviation and [[List of airports in Colombia|airports]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aerocivil.gov.co/aerocivil/funciones|title=Aerocivil – Funciones y Deberes|publisher=aerocivil.gov.co|language=es|access-date=27 November 2014|archive-date=9 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170709104232/http://www.aerocivil.gov.co/aerocivil/funciones|url-status=live}}</ref> the [[National Infrastructure Agency (Colombia)|National Infrastructure Agency]], in charge of [[concession (contract)|concessions]] through [[public–private partnership]]s, for the design, construction, maintenance, operation, and administration of the transport infrastructure,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ani.gov.co/informacion-de-la-ani/quienes-somos|title=ANI – Objectives and Functions|date=24 December 2012|publisher=ani.gov.co|language=es|access-date=27 November 2014|archive-date=24 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140924102833/http://www.ani.gov.co/informacion-de-la-ani/quienes-somos|url-status=live}}</ref> the General Maritime Directorate (Dimar) has the responsibility of coordinating maritime traffic control along with the Colombian Navy,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dimar.mil.co/en/content/roles-and-responsibilities|title=the General Maritime Directorate (Dimar)|publisher=dimar.mil.co|access-date=9 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141221203751/http://www.dimar.mil.co/en/content/roles-and-responsibilities|archive-date=21 December 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> among others, and under the supervision of the [[Superintendency of Ports and Transport (Colombia)|Superintendency of Ports and Transport]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.supertransporte.gov.co/index.php/la-entidad/objetivos-y-funciones|title=Superintendency of Ports and Transport- Objectives and Functions|publisher=supertransporte.gov.co|language=es|access-date=27 November 2014|archive-date=19 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141219084606/http://www.supertransporte.gov.co/index.php/la-entidad/objetivos-y-funciones|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2021, Colombia had {{convert|204389|km|0|abbr=on}} of roads, {{convert|32280|km|0|abbr=on}} of which were paved. At the end of 2017, the country had around {{convert|2100|km|0|abbr=on}} of [[Dual carriageway|duplicated highways]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://colaboracion.dnp.gov.co/CDT/Conpes/Econ%C3%B3micos/4039.pdf |title=Declaración de importancia estratégica de los proyectos de inversión del programa vías |access-date=13 July 2022 |archive-date=6 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220706014411/https://colaboracion.dnp.gov.co/CDT/Conpes/Econ%C3%B3micos/4039.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.larepublica.co/infraestructura/colombia-paso-de-tener-700-km-de-doble-calzada-en-2010-a-2100-km-2573137 |title=Colombia pasó de 700 kilómetros de doble calzada en 2010 a 2.100 |date=22 November 2017 |access-date=13 July 2022 |archive-date=18 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220818210134/https://www.larepublica.co/infraestructura/colombia-paso-de-tener-700-km-de-doble-calzada-en-2010-a-2100-km-2573137 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="transporte">Champin, J., Cortés, R., Kohon, J., & Rodríguez, M. (2016). Desafíos del transporte ferroviario de carga en Colombia</ref> [[Rail transport in Colombia|Rail transportation]] in Colombia is dedicated almost entirely to [[Rail freight transport|freight shipments]] and the railway network has a length of 1,700&nbsp;km of potentially active rails.<ref name="transporte" /> Colombia has 3,960 kilometers of gas pipelines, 4,900 kilometers of [[oil pipelines]], and 2,990 kilometers of refined-products pipelines.<ref name="transporte" />

The Colombian government aimed to build 7,000&nbsp;km of roads between 2016 and 2020, which would reduce travel times by an estimated 30 per cent, and transport costs by an estimated 20 per cent. A toll road concession programme will comprise 40 projects, and is part of a larger strategic goal to invest nearly $50 bn in transport infrastructure, including railway systems, making the [[Magdalena River]] navigable again, improving port facilities, and an expansion of [[El Dorado International Airport]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/dc5d5fe6-668d-11e4-8bf6-00144feabdc0.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221210/http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/dc5d5fe6-668d-11e4-8bf6-00144feabdc0.html |archive-date=10 December 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Ambitious plans to transform Colombia|work=Financial Times|date=17 November 2014|access-date=27 November 2014|last1=Schipani|first1=Andres}}</ref>{{update inline|date=July 2021}} Colombia is a middle-income country.<ref>{{cite web |title=Colombia |url=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/colombia/ |publisher=United States Department of State |access-date=18 January 2022 |archive-date=18 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220118182840/https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/colombia/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Science and technology ===
{{Main|Science and technology in Colombia}}
[[File:CEMSA 271215 01.JPG|thumb|left|[[Colciencias]] is a Colombian Government agency that supports fundamental and applied research.]]

Colombia has more than 3,950 research groups in science and technology.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.colciencias.gov.co/sites/default/files/ckeditor_files/informes-anal-2014.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://www.colciencias.gov.co/sites/default/files/ckeditor_files/informes-anal-2014.pdf |archive-date=9 October 2022 |url-status=live|title=research groups in science and technology|language=es |publisher=colciencias.gov.co |access-date=9 May 2016}}</ref> iNNpulsa, a government body that promotes entrepreneurship and innovation in the country, provides grants to startups, in addition to other services it and institutions provide. Colombia was ranked 61st in the [[Global Innovation Index]] in 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Global Innovation Index 2024 : Unlocking the Promise of Social Entrepreneurship |url=https://www.wipo.int/web-publications/global-innovation-index-2024/en/ |access-date=2024-11-29 |website=www.wipo.int |language=en |archive-date=12 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241212043914/https://www.wipo.int/web-publications/global-innovation-index-2024/en/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Co-working spaces have arisen to serve as communities for startups large and small.<ref name="venturebeat.com">{{cite web |url=https://venturebeat.com/2013/09/29/the-silicon-valleys-of-latin-america-a-tale-of-3-nations/ |publisher=venturebeat.com |title=entrepreneurship and innovation in Colombia |date=29 September 2013 |access-date=1 October 2013 |archive-date=1 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131001122006/http://venturebeat.com/2013/09/29/the-silicon-valleys-of-latin-america-a-tale-of-3-nations/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://apps.co/|title=Colombia Startups|publisher=apps.co|language=es|access-date=14 February 2014|archive-date=9 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140209081806/https://apps.co/|url-status=live}}</ref> Organizations such as the Corporation for Biological Research (CIB) for the support of young people interested in scientific work has been successfully developed in Colombia.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cib.org.co/quienes-somos/|title=Corporation for Biological Research (CIB)|publisher=cib.org.co|language=es|access-date=28 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150413214207/http://cib.org.co/quienes-somos/|archive-date=13 April 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> The [[International Center for Tropical Agriculture]] based in Colombia investigates the increasing challenge of [[global warming]] and [[food security]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ciat.cgiar.org/|title=International Center for Tropical Agriculture|access-date=1 October 2013|archive-date=9 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170609150224/http://ciat.cgiar.org/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Important inventions related to medicine have been made in Colombia, such as the first [[Artificial cardiac pacemaker|external artificial pacemaker with internal electrodes]], invented by the electrical engineer [[Jorge Reynolds Pombo]], an invention of great importance for those who suffer from heart failure. Also invented in Colombia were the [[microkeratome]] and keratomileusis technique, which form the fundamental basis of what now is known as [[LASIK]] (one of the most important techniques for the correction of [[refractive error]]s of vision) and the [[Salomón Hakim#The Invention of the valve|Hakim valve]] for the treatment of [[hydrocephalus]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://listas.20minutos.es/lista/mejores-inventos-colombianos-320000/|title=Inventos colombianos|publisher=20minutos.es|language=es|access-date=1 October 2013|archive-date=4 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004213902/http://listas.20minutos.es/lista/mejores-inventos-colombianos-320000/|url-status=live}}</ref> Colombia has begun to innovate in military technology for its army and other armies of the world; especially in the design and creation of personal ballistic protection products, military hardware, [[military robot]]s, [[bomb]]s, simulators and radar.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://dialogo-americas.com/en/articles/colombian-military-industry-markets-weapons-and-technology-international-stage|title=Colombian military industry markets weapons and technology on international stage|publisher=dialogo-americas.com|access-date=16 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170417045356/https://dialogo-americas.com/en/articles/colombian-military-industry-markets-weapons-and-technology-international-stage|archive-date=17 April 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://historico.unperiodico.unal.edu.co/ediciones/103/08.html|title=Robots antiexplosivos|publisher=historico.unperiodico.unal.edu.co|access-date=9 May 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160509183603/http://historico.unperiodico.unal.edu.co/ediciones/103/08.html|archive-date=9 May 2016}}</ref>

Some leading Colombian scientists are Joseph M. Tohme, researcher recognized for his work on the [[genetic diversity]] of food, [[Manuel Elkin Patarroyo]] who is known for his groundbreaking work on [[synthetic vaccine]]s for [[malaria]], [[Francisco Lopera]] who discovered the "Paisa Mutation" or a type of [[Early-onset Alzheimer's disease|early-onset Alzheimer's]],<ref name="Francisco Lopera">{{cite web|url=http://www.udea.edu.co/portal/page/portal/bActualidad/Principal_UdeA/News/Tab/AEF4F8549743CF0AE04018C8341F754F|publisher=udea.edu.co|title=Beyond Alzheimer's: the "Paisa Mutation"|access-date=1 October 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005012618/http://www.udea.edu.co/portal/page/portal/bActualidad/Principal_UdeA/News/Tab/AEF4F8549743CF0AE04018C8341F754F|archive-date=5 October 2013}}</ref> [[Rodolfo Llinás]] known for his study of the intrinsic [[neuron]]s properties and the theory of a syndrome that had changed the way of understanding the functioning of the brain, Jairo Quiroga Puello recognized for his studies on the characterization of [[synthetic substance]]s which can be used to fight fungus, [[tumor]]s, [[tuberculosis]] and even some viruses and Ángela Restrepo who established accurate [[Medical diagnosis|diagnoses]] and treatments to combat the effects of a disease caused by ''[[Paracoccidioides brasiliensis]]''.<ref name="Científicos colombianos">{{cite web|url=http://cienciagora.com.co/galeria_de_cientificos.html|title=Científicos colombianos|publisher=cienciagora.com.co|access-date=28 October 2013|language=es|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029200254/http://cienciagora.com.co/galeria_de_cientificos.html|archive-date=29 October 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="brillantes colombianos">{{cite web|url=http://portal.redcolombiana.com/foros/estos-son-los-8-cientificos-del-pais-mas-consultad|title=científicos del país más consultados|publisher=portal.redcolombiana.com|access-date=28 October 2013|language=es|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029201546/http://portal.redcolombiana.com/foros/estos-son-los-8-cientificos-del-pais-mas-consultad|archive-date=29 October 2013}}</ref><ref name="Científicos destacados">{{cite web|url=http://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/CMS-6672909|title=Estos son los científicos colombianos más destacados en el último lustro|date=25 November 2009|publisher=eltiempo.com|access-date=28 October 2013|language=es|archive-date=17 March 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150317120558/http://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/CMS-6672909|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Demographics ==
{{Main|Demographics of Colombia}}
{{See also|List of Colombian departments by population}}
[[File:Densidad pop col only Colombia.png|thumb|[[Population density]] of Colombia in 2013]]
[[File:Colombia población.png|thumb|Population history of Colombia]]

With an estimated 50&nbsp;million people in 2020, Colombia is the [[List of countries by population|third-most populous country]] in Latin America, after Brazil and Mexico.<ref name="PopulationProjections">{{cite web |url=https://www.dane.gov.co/files/censo2018/proyecciones-de-poblacion/anexos-proyecciones-pob-dptos-area-grupos-de-edad-2018-2023.xlsx |title=¿Cuántos somos? |publisher=Departamento Administrativo Nacional de Estadística (DANE) |access-date=26 March 2020 |archive-date=27 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200327040110/https://www.dane.gov.co/files/censo2018/proyecciones-de-poblacion/anexos-proyecciones-pob-dptos-area-grupos-de-edad-2018-2023.xlsx |url-status=dead }}</ref> At the beginning of the 20th century, Colombia's population was approximately 4&nbsp;million.<ref>"[http://countrystudies.us/colombia/35.htm Colombia – Population] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130116145835/http://countrystudies.us/colombia/35.htm |date=16 January 2013 }}". [[Library of Congress Country Studies]].</ref> Since the early 1970s Colombia has experienced steady declines in its fertility, mortality, and population growth rates. The population growth rate for 2016 is estimated to be 0.9%.<ref name="Population growth">{{cite web|url=http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.POP.GROW?locations=CO|title=Population growth (annual %)|publisher=World Bank|access-date=15 January 2018|archive-date=16 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180116020705/https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.POP.GROW?locations=CO|url-status=live}}</ref> About 26.8% of the population were 15 years old or younger, 65.7% were between 15 and 64 years old, and 7.4% were over 65 years old. The proportion of older persons in the total population has begun to increase substantially.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://profamilia.org.co/docs/Libro%20RESUMEN%20EJECUTIVO.pdf|title=Encuesta Nacional de Demografía y Salud (ENDS)|publisher=profamilia.org.co|access-date=5 May 2017|language=es|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170408150728/http://profamilia.org.co/docs/Libro%20RESUMEN%20EJECUTIVO.pdf|archive-date=8 April 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> Colombia is projected to have a population of 55.3&nbsp;million by 2050.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cepal.org/en/long-term-population-estimates-and-projections-1950-2100|title=Long term population estimates and projections 1950–2100|publisher=cepal.org|access-date=17 June 2016|archive-date=18 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160618072643/http://www.cepal.org/en/long-term-population-estimates-and-projections-1950-2100|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Estimates for the population of the area that is now Colombia range between 2.5 and 12 million people in 1500; estimates between the extremes include figures of 6<ref name="JaramilloUribe1989" /> and 7 million. With the Spanish conquest, the region's population had collapsed to around 1.2 million people in 1600, for an estimated decrease of 52–90%. By the end of the colonial period, it had declined further to around 800,000; it began rising in the early 19th century to around 1.4 million, where it would drop again in the [[Colombian War of Independence]] to between 1 and 1.2 million. The country's population did not recover to pre-conquest levels until the 1940s, nearly 450 years after its 16th-century peak.<ref name="PoblacioCol">{{Cite web |url=https://www.banrep.gov.co/sites/default/files/paginas/lbr_colonial_graficos3.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=8 February 2024 |archive-date=19 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240119200112/https://www.banrep.gov.co/sites/default/files/paginas/lbr_colonial_graficos3.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>

The population is concentrated in the [[Andean Region of Colombia|Andean highlands]] and along the [[Caribbean Region of Colombia|Caribbean coast]], also the population densities are generally higher in the Andean region. The nine eastern lowland departments, comprising about 54% of Colombia's area, have less than 6% of the population.<ref name="populationbyregions">{{cite web|url=https://geoportal.dane.gov.co/atlasestadistico/pages/tome01/tm01itm17.html|title=Distribution of the population by regions|publisher=geoportal.dane.gov.co|access-date=17 June 2016|archive-date=17 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160617225957/https://geoportal.dane.gov.co/atlasestadistico/pages/tome01/tm01itm17.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Population density">{{cite web|url=https://geoportal.dane.gov.co/atlasestadistico/pages/tome01/tm01itm16.html|title=Population density of Colombia|publisher=geoportal.dane.gov.co|access-date=17 June 2016|archive-date=17 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160617225927/https://geoportal.dane.gov.co/atlasestadistico/pages/tome01/tm01itm16.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> Traditionally a rural society, [[Urbanization|movement to urban areas]] was very heavy in the mid-20th century, and Colombia is now one of the most urbanized countries in Latin America. The urban population increased from 31% of the total in 1938 to nearly 60% in 1973, and by 2014 the figure stood at 76%.<ref name="Country Study">{{cite web |url=http://countrystudies.us/colombia/36.htm |title=Colombia: A Country Study |publisher=Countrystudies.us |access-date=16 May 2010 |archive-date=7 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160407023454/http://countrystudies.us/colombia/36.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://esa.un.org/unpd/wup/Highlights/WUP2014-Highlights.pdf |title=World Urbanization Prospects |publisher=un.org |access-date=10 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141102043800/http://esa.un.org/unpd/wup/Highlights/WUP2014-Highlights.pdf |archive-date=2 November 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The population of [[Bogotá]] alone has increased from just over 300,000 in 1938 to approximately 8&nbsp;million today.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.banrepcultural.org/blaavirtual/revistas/credencial/agosto2008/bogota.htm|title=Bogotá: de paso por la capital|publisher=Revista Credencial Historia|author=León Soler, Natalia|access-date=17 June 2016|language=es|archive-date=18 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160618004654/http://www.banrepcultural.org/blaavirtual/revistas/credencial/agosto2008/bogota.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> In total seventy-two cities now have populations of 100,000 or more (2015). {{As of|2012}} Colombia has the world's largest populations of [[internally displaced person]]s (IDPs), estimated to be up to 4.9&nbsp;million people.<ref name="UNHCR">{{cite web|url=http://www.unhcr.org/pages/49c3646c23.html|title=Internally Displaced People Figures|publisher=The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees|access-date=18 May 2014|archive-date=18 May 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130518072653/http://www.unhcr.org/pages/49c3646c23.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

The life expectancy was 74.8 years in 2015, and infant mortality was 13.1 per thousand in 2016.<ref name="Life expectancy at birth">{{cite web|title=Life expectancy at birth|url=https://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.688|publisher=who.int|access-date=13 July 2021|archive-date=5 March 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130305150130/https://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.688|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="infant mortality">{{cite web|url=http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.DYN.IMRT.IN|title=Mortality rate, infant (per 1,000 live births)|publisher=World Bank|access-date=15 January 2018|archive-date=21 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171021085117/https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.DYN.IMRT.IN|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2015, 94.58% of adults and 98.66% of youth are literate and the government spends about 4.49% of its GDP on education.<ref name="UNESCO" />

===Languages===
{{Main|Languages of Colombia}}
{{See also|Colombian Spanish}}
Around 99.2% of Colombians speak Spanish, also called Castilian; 65 [[Amerindian language]]s, two [[Creole languages]], the [[Romani language]] and [[Colombian Sign Language]] are also used in the country. [[English language|English]] has official status in the [[archipelago of San Andrés, Providencia and Santa Catalina]].<ref name="LEY47DE1993" /><ref name="lenguas indígenas">{{cite web|url=http://www.banrepcultural.org/blaavirtual/antropologia/lengua/clas2.htm|title=Languages of Colombia|publisher=banrepcultural.org|language=es|access-date=9 October 2013|archive-date=29 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130929200029/http://www.banrepcultural.org/blaavirtual/antropologia/lengua/clas2.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Languages of Colombia">{{cite web|url=http://www.ambafrance-co.org/Jon-Landaburu-Especialista-de-las|title=Jon Landaburu, Especialista de las lenguas de Colombia|publisher=ambafrance-co.org|language=es|access-date=9 October 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131216191247/http://www.ambafrance-co.org/Jon-Landaburu-Especialista-de-las|archive-date=16 December 2013}}</ref><ref name="MapofthelanguagesofColombia">{{cite web|url=http://www.lenguasdecolombia.gov.co/mapalenguas/inicio.swf|title=Map of the languages of Colombia|publisher=lenguasdecolombia.gov.co|language=es|access-date=9 October 2013|archive-date=10 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171010222341/http://www.lenguasdecolombia.gov.co/mapalenguas/inicio.swf|url-status=live}}</ref>

Including Spanish, a total of 101 languages are listed for Colombia in the [[Ethnologue]] database. The specific number of spoken languages varies slightly since some authors consider as different languages what others consider to be varieties or dialects of the same language. Best estimates recorded 71 languages that are spoken in-country today&nbsp;– most of which belong to the [[Chibchan languages|Chibchan]], [[Tucanoan languages|Tucanoan]], [[Bora–Witoto languages|Bora–Witoto]], [[Guajiboan languages|Guajiboan]], [[Arawakan languages|Arawakan]], [[Cariban languages|Cariban]], [[Barbacoan languages|Barbacoan]], and [[Piaroa–Saliban languages|Saliban]] language families. There are currently more than 850,000 speakers of native languages.<ref name="ethnologue">{{cite web|url=http://www.ethnologue.com/country/CO|title=The Languages of Colombia|work=Ethnologue (Free All) |publisher=Ethnologue.com|access-date=16 May 2010|archive-date=7 March 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130307132656/http://www.ethnologue.com/country/CO|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="nativelanguages">{{cite web|url=http://www.lenguasdecolombia.gov.co/content/ley-de-lenguas-nativas |title=Native languages of Colombia |publisher=lenguasdecolombia.gov.co |language=es |access-date=25 March 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140326080213/https://www.lenguasdecolombia.gov.co/content/ley-de-lenguas-nativas |archive-date=26 March 2014}}</ref>

=== Ethnic groups ===
{{main|Race and ethnicity in Colombia}}
{{Pie chart
|thumb = right
|caption = Ethnic groups in Colombia - '''[[2018 Colombian census|2018 Census]]'''<ref name="grupos étnicos">{{cite web|title=visibilización estadística de los grupos étnicos|url=https://geoportal.dane.gov.co/geovisores/sociedad/cnpv-2018/?lt=4.456007353293281&lg=-73.2781601239999&z=5|work=Censo General 2018|publisher=Departamento Administrativo Nacional de Estadistica (DANE)|access-date=10 February 2020|archive-date=16 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210816231845/https://geoportal.dane.gov.co/geovisores/sociedad/cnpv-2018/?lt=4.456007353293281&lg=-73.2781601239999&z=5|url-status=live}}</ref>

|label1 = [[Mestizo Colombians|Mestizo]]-[[White Colombians|White]]
|value1 = 87.58
|color1 = #008080

|label2= [[Afro-Colombian]] (includes [[Mulatto|mixed]])
|value2 = 6.68
|color2 = #FFBF00

|label3= [[Indigenous peoples in Colombia|Amerindian]]
|value3 = 4.31
|color3 = #1C39BB

|label4= Not stated
|value4 = 1.35
|color4 = #008080

|label5= [[Raizal]]
|value5 = 0.06
|color5 = #FFBF00

|label6= [[Palenquero]]
|value6 = 0.02
|color6 = #008080

|label7= [[Romani People|Romani]]
|value7 = 0.01
|color7 = #808080
}}

Colombia is ethnically diverse, its people descending from the original [[Indigenous peoples in Colombia|Native]] inhabitants, Spanish conquistadors, [[African Colombian|Africans]] originally brought to the country as slaves, and 20th-century [[European diaspora|immigrants from Europe]] and the [[Arab Colombians|Middle East]], all contributing to a diverse cultural heritage.<ref name="Colombia is ethnically diverse">{{cite web |url=http://www.pedagogica.edu.co/storage/ps/articulos/pedysab15_09arti.pdf |title=The ethnic and cultural diversity of Colombia |publisher=pedagogica.edu.co |language=es |access-date=26 March 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140327221138/http://www.pedagogica.edu.co/storage/ps/articulos/pedysab15_09arti.pdf |archive-date=27 March 2014  }}</ref> The demographic distribution reflects a pattern that is influenced by colonial history.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://historico.unperiodico.unal.edu.co/ediciones/105/15.html |title=Mapa genético de los colombianos |publisher=historico.unperiodico.unal.edu.co |language=es |access-date=17 June 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160617204901/http://historico.unperiodico.unal.edu.co/ediciones/105/15.html |archive-date=17 June 2016  }}</ref> Whites live all throughout the country, mainly in urban centers and the burgeoning highland and coastal cities. The populations of the major cities also include mestizos. [[Mestizo Colombian|Mestizo]] ''campesinos'' (people living in rural areas) also live in the Andean highlands where some Spanish conquerors mixed with the women of Amerindian [[chiefdoms]]. Mestizos include artisans and small tradesmen that have played a major part in the urban expansion of recent decades.<ref>Bushnell & Hudson, pp. 87–88.</ref><ref name="grupos étnicos" /> In a study by the American Journal of Physical Anthropology, Colombians have an average ancestry of 47% Amerindian DNA, 42% European DNA, and 11% African DNA.<ref name=Rojas2010>{{cite journal |last1=Rojas |first1=Winston |last2=Parra |first2=María Victoria |last3=Campo |first3=Omer |last4=Caro |first4=María Antonieta |last5=Lopera |first5=Juan Guillermo |last6=Arias |first6=William |last7=Duque |first7=Constanza |last8=Naranjo |first8=Andrés |last9=García |first9=Jharley |last10=Vergara |first10=Candelaria |last11=Lopera |first11=Jaime |last12=Hernandez |first12=Erick |last13=Valencia |first13=Ana |last14=Caicedo |first14=Yuri |last15=Cuartas |first15=Mauricio |last16=Gutiérrez |first16=Javier |last17=López |first17=Sergio |last18=Ruiz-Linares |first18=Andrés |last19=Bedoya |first19=Gabriel |title=Genetic make up and structure of Colombian populations by means of uniparental and biparental DNA markers |journal=American Journal of Physical Anthropology |date=September 2010 |volume=143 |issue=1 |pages=13–20 |doi=10.1002/ajpa.21270 |pmid=20734436 |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/45822469 |access-date=13 February 2024}}</ref>

The [[2018 Colombian Census|2018 census]] reported that the "non-ethnic population", consisting of [[White Colombian|whites]] and mestizos (those of mixed European and Amerindian ancestry), constituted 87.6% of the national population. 6.7% is of [[Afro-Colombian|African]] ancestry. [[Indigenous peoples in Colombia|Indigenous Amerindians]] constitute 4.3% of the population. [[Raizal]] people constitute 0.06% of the population. [[Palenquero]] people constitute 0.02% of the population. 0.01% of the population are [[Romani people|Roma]]. A study by Latinobarómetro in 2023 estimates that 50.3% of the population are [[Mestizo Colombians|Mestizo]], 26.4% are [[White Colombians|White]], 9.5% are [[Indigenous peoples of Colombia|Indigenous]], 9.0% are [[Afro-Colombians|Black]], 4.4% are [[Mulatto]], and 0.4% are [[Asian Colombians|Asian]], these estimates would equate to around 26 million people being Mestizo, 14 million being White, 5 million being Indigenous, 5 million being Black, 2 million being Mulatto, and 200k being Asian.<ref name="2023est">{{cite web |title=Raza/Etnia a la que pertenece |url=https://www.latinobarometro.org/latOnline.jsp |access-date=13 February 2024 |work=Latinobarómetro 2023 Colombia}}</ref>
{{Pie chart
|thumb = right
|caption = Ethnic groups of Colombia according to Latinobarómetro 2023<ref name="2023est"/>

|label1=[[Mestizo Colombians|Mestizo]]
|value1 = 50.3
|color1 = #2b70a7

|label2=[[White Colombians|White]]
|value2 = 26.4
|color2 = #008dbf

|label3=[[Indigenous peoples of Colombia|Amerindian]]
|value3 = 9.5
|color3 = #00a9c1

|label4=[[Afro Colombians|Black]]
|value4 = 9.0
|color4 = #00c2ac

|label5=[[Mulatto]]
|value5 = 4.4
|color5 = #18d886

|label6=[[Asian Colombians|Asian]]
|value6 = 0.4
|color6 = #9ae758
}}

The Federal Research Division estimated that the 86% of the population that did not consider themselves part of one of the ethnic groups indicated by the 2006 census was divided into 49% Mestizo or of mixed European and Amerindian ancestry, and 37% White, mainly of Spanish lineage, but there is also a large population of Middle East descent; in some sectors of society there is a considerable input of German and Italian ancestry.<ref name="The Society and Its Environment">{{cite book|last1=Bushnell |first1=David |last2=Hudson |first2=Rex A. |year=2010 |title=The Society and Its Environment; Colombia: a country study |url=https://www.loc.gov/rr/frd/cs/pdf/CS_Colombia.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://www.loc.gov/rr/frd/cs/pdf/CS_Colombia.pdf |archive-date=9 October 2022 |url-status=live |pages=87, 92 |publisher=Federal Research Division, Library of Congress, Washington D.C.}}</ref><ref name="grupos étnicos" />

Many of the [[Indigenous peoples in Colombia|Indigenous peoples]] experienced a reduction in population during the Spanish rule<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.colombia.com/colombiainfo/nuestrahistoria/esclavista.asp |publisher=colombia.com |title=Society and slavery|language=es|access-date=9 September 2013}}</ref> and many others were absorbed into the mestizo population, but the remainder currently represents over eighty distinct cultures. Reserves (''resguardos'') established for indigenous peoples occupy {{convert|30571640|ha|km2|sp=us}} (27% of the country's total) and are inhabited by more than 800,000 people.<ref name="Resguardos Indígenas">{{cite web|url=https://www.siac.gov.co/Estado_Ecosistemas_Bosque/Resguardos_indigenas1.aspx |title=Resguardos indígenas – Concentra el 43% de los bosques naturales |publisher=siac.gov.co |access-date=27 March 2014 |language=es |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140328011617/https://www.siac.gov.co/Estado_Ecosistemas_Bosque/Resguardos_indigenas1.aspx |archive-date=28 March 2014}}</ref> Some of the largest indigenous groups are the [[Wayuu]],<ref name="wayuu">{{cite web|url=http://revistas.ucr.ac.cr/index.php/antropologia/article/view/2006/1973|title=Hostein, N. (2010). El pueblo wayuu de la Guajira colombo-venezolana: un panorama de su cultura. Cuadernos de Antropología, 20(1).|access-date=27 March 2014}}</ref> the [[Paez people|Paez]], the Pastos, the [[Emberá people|Emberá]] and the [[Zenú]].<ref name="pueblos indígenas">{{cite web |url=https://www.dnp.gov.co/programas/desarrollo-territorial/Paginas/pueblos-indigenas.aspx |title=Los pueblos indígenas de Colombia en el umbral del nuevo milenio. Población, cultura y territorio: bases para el fortalecimiento social y económico de los pueblos indígenas |publisher=dnp.gov.co |access-date=27 March 2014 |archive-date=12 March 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150312221148/https://www.dnp.gov.co/programas/desarrollo-territorial/Paginas/pueblos-indigenas.aspx |url-status=dead }}</ref> The departments of [[Department of La Guajira|La Guajira]], [[Cauca Department|Cauca]], [[Nariño Department|Nariño]], [[Córdoba Department|Córdoba]] and [[Sucre Department|Sucre]] have the largest indigenous populations.<ref name="grupos étnicos" />

The [[National Indigenous Organization of Colombia|Organización Nacional Indígena de Colombia]] (ONIC), founded at the first National Indigenous Congress in 1982, is an organization representing the indigenous peoples of Colombia. In 1991, Colombia signed and ratified the current international law concerning indigenous peoples, [[Indigenous and Tribal Peoples Convention, 1989]].<ref name="Ratifications - ilo.org">{{cite web|url=http://www.ilo.org/dyn/normlex/en/f?p=1000:11200:0::NO:11200:P11200_COUNTRY_ID:102595 |title=Ratifications for Colombia |publisher=ilo.org |access-date=26 March 2014}}</ref>

[[Sub-Saharan Africans]] were brought as [[Atlantic slave trade|slaves]], mostly to the coastal lowlands, beginning early in the 16th century and continuing into the 19th century. Large Afro-Colombian communities are found today on the Pacific Coast.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dane.gov.co/censo/files/presentaciones/grupos_etnicos.pdf |title=Ethnic groups in Colombia |publisher=dane.gov.co |language=es |access-date=26 March 2014 |archive-date=3 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303233546/http://www.dane.gov.co/censo/files/presentaciones/grupos_etnicos.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> Numerous [[Jamaican people|Jamaicans]] migrated mainly to the islands of San Andres and Providencia. A number of other Europeans and North Americans migrated to the country in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, including people from the former [[Soviet Union|USSR]] during and after the [[World War II|Second World War]].<ref name="Extranjeros en Colombia">{{cite web |url=http://www.rodriguezuribe.co/histories/Inmigrantes%20a%20Colombia%20-%20Luis%20Alvaro%20Gallo.pdf |title=Inmigrantes a Colombia: Personajes extranjeros llegados a Colombia |author=Luis Álvaro Gallo Martínez |publisher=rodriguezuribe.co |year=2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924091807/http://www.rodriguezuribe.co/histories/Inmigrantes%20a%20Colombia%20-%20Luis%20Alvaro%20Gallo.pdf |archive-date=24 September 2015  }}</ref><ref name="Migraciones Internacionales">{{cite web|url=http://rcientificas.uninorte.edu.co/index.php/investigacion/article/view/2116/2827|title=Las migraciones internacionales en Colombia. Investigación & Desarrollo, 20(1) 142–167.|author1=Wabgou, M. |author2=Vargas, D. |author3=Carabalí, J. A.|publisher=uninorte.edu.co|year=2012|access-date=28 March 2015|archive-date=14 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160914172309/http://rcientificas.uninorte.edu.co/index.php/investigacion/article/view/2116/2827|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Many immigrant communities have settled on the Caribbean coast, in particular recent immigrants from the [[Ethnic groups in West Asia|Middle East]] and [[Europe]]. Barranquilla (the largest city of the Colombian Caribbean) and other Caribbean cities have the largest populations of [[Lebanese Colombian|Lebanese]], [[Palestinian people|Palestinian]], and other [[Arab Colombians|Levantines]].<ref name="arab colombians">Vargas Arana, Pilar, and Luz Marina Suaza Vargas. "Los árabes en Colombia: Del rechazo a la integración." (2007).</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nodo50.org/csca/agenda08/misc/arti48.html |title=The Arab immigration to Colombia |publisher=nodo50.org |language=es|access-date=30 January 2014}}</ref> There are also important communities of [[Romani people|Romanis]] and [[History of the Jews in Colombia|Jews]].<ref name="Colombia is ethnically diverse" /> There is a major migration trend of [[Venezuelan people|Venezuelans]], due to the political and economic situation in Venezuela.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/c80f3a_d2e0a0b4821e4238ae021904026a4459.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/c80f3a_d2e0a0b4821e4238ae021904026a4459.pdf |archive-date=9 October 2022 |url-status=live |title=Características de los migrantes de Venezuela a Colombia |date=14 August 2017 |website=labourosario.com|language=es}}</ref> In August 2019, Colombia offered citizenship to more than 24,000 children of Venezuelan refugees who were born in Colombia.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/05/world/americas/colombia-citizenship-venezuelans.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220101/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/05/world/americas/colombia-citizenship-venezuelans.html |archive-date=1 January 2022 |url-access=limited|title=Colombia Offers Citizenship to 24,000 Children of Venezuelan Refugees|last1=Kurmanaev|first1=Anatoly|date=5 August 2019|work=The New York Times|access-date=6 August 2019|last2=González|first2=Jenny Carolina|issn=0362-4331}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

=== Religion ===
{{Main|Religion in Colombia}}
{{See also|Freedom of religion in Colombia|Jews in Colombia}}
[[File:Santuario de Las Lajas, Ipiales, Colombia, 2015-07-21, DD 21-23 HDR.jpg|thumb|The [[Las Lajas Sanctuary]] in the southern Colombian Department of [[Nariño Department|Nariño]]]]
The [[National Administrative Department of Statistics]] (DANE) does not collect religious statistics, and accurate reports are difficult to obtain. However, based on various studies and a survey, about 90% of the population adheres to Christianity, the majority of which (70.9%–79%) are [[Roman Catholic]], while a significant minority (16.7%) adhere to [[Protestantism]] (primarily [[Evangelicalism]]). Some 4.7% of the population is [[atheist]] or agnostic, while 3.5% claim to believe in God but do not follow a specific religion. 1.8% of Colombians adhere to [[Jehovah's Witnesses]] and [[Adventism]] and less than 1% adhere to other religions, such as the [[Baháʼí Faith]], [[Islam]], Judaism, [[Buddhism]], [[Mormonism]], [[Hinduism]], [[animism|Indigenous religions]], [[Hare Krishna movement]], [[Rastafari movement]], [[Eastern Orthodox Church]], and spiritual studies. The remaining people either did not respond or replied that they did not know. In addition to the above statistics, 35.9% of Colombians reported that they did not practice their faith actively.<ref name="Religion">{{cite book |url=http://www.bdigital.unal.edu.co/10780/1/Del%20monopolio%20cat%C3%B3lico%20a%20la%20explosi%C3%B3n%20pentecostal.pdf |title=Del monopolio católico a la explosión pentecostal' |author1=Beltrán Cely |author2=William Mauricio (2013) |publisher=Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Facultad de Ciencias Humanas, Centro de Estudios Sociales (CES), Maestría en Sociología |language=es |isbn=978-958-761-465-7 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160327173229/http://www.bdigital.unal.edu.co/10780/1/Del%20monopolio%20cat%C3%B3lico%20a%20la%20explosi%C3%B3n%20pentecostal.pdf |archive-date=27 March 2016 |year=2013 }}</ref><ref name="Religion2">{{cite web |url=http://www.bdigital.unal.edu.co/8486/1/williammauriciobeltran.2011.pdf |title=Descripción cuantitativa de la pluralización religiosa en Colombia |author1=Beltrán Cely |author2=William Mauricio |author-link=William Mauricio Beltrán Cely |publisher=Universitas humanística 73 (2012): 201–238. – bdigital.unal.edu.co |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140329185722/http://www.bdigital.unal.edu.co/8486/1/williammauriciobeltran.2011.pdf |archive-date=29 March 2014}}</ref><ref name="Religion in Latin America">{{cite web |title=Religion in Latin America, Widespread Change in a Historically Catholic Region |url=http://www.pewforum.org/2014/11/13/religion-in-latin-america/ |publisher=Pew Research Center |date=13 November 2014}}</ref> 1,519,562 people in Colombia, or around 3% of the population reported following an Indigenous religion.

While Colombia remains a mostly Roman Catholic country by [[baptism]] numbers, the 1991 Colombian constitution guarantees freedom of religion and all religious faiths and churches are equally free before the law.<ref>Colombian Constitution of 1991 (Title II – Concerning rights, guarantees, and duties – Chapter I – Concerning fundamental rights – Article 19)</ref>

===Health===
{{Main|Health care in Colombia}}
[[File:Complejo Médico - Hospital Internacional de Colombia HIC.jpg|thumb|Colombia leads the annual ''[[América Economía]]'' ranking of the best clinics and hospitals in Latin America.<ref name="Colombian clinics" />]]
The overall [[life expectancy]] in Colombia at birth is 79.3 years (76.7 years for males and 81.9 years for females).<ref name="Life expectancy at birth" /> Healthcare reforms have led to massive improvements in the healthcare systems of the country, with health standards in Colombia improving very much since the 1980s. The new system has widened population coverage by the social and health security system from 21% (pre-1993) to 96% in 2012.<ref>{{cite web|title=Ministra de Salud dice que la cobertura en este sector subió al 96%|url=http://www.elpais.com.co/elpais/colombia/noticias/ministra-dice-cobertura-en-salud-fue-96|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140728140425/http://www.elpais.com.co/elpais/colombia/noticias/ministra-dice-cobertura-en-salud-fue-96|archive-date=28 July 2014|access-date=18 August 2013|publisher=[[El País (Colombia)]]|language=es}}</ref> In 2017, the government declared a [[cancer research]] and treatment center as a Project of National Strategic Interest.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://es.presidencia.gov.co/noticia/171012-Luis-Carlos-Sarmiento-Angulo-agradece-apoyo-del-Gobierno-a-moderno-centro-de-tratamiento-del-cancer |title=Centro de Tratamiento e Investigación sobre Cáncer (CTIC) |date=12 October 2017 |language=es|website=presidencia.gov.co}}</ref>

A 2016 study conducted by ''[[América Economía]]'' magazine ranked 21 Colombian [[Health facility|health care institutions]] among the top 44 in Latin America, amounting to 48 percent of the total.<ref name="Colombian clinics">{{cite web|url=http://rankings.americaeconomia.com/2016/clinicas/ranking|publisher=America Economia magazine|title=21 Colombian clinics among the best 44 in Latin America|access-date=9 June 2017|archive-date=23 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170623141648/http://rankings.americaeconomia.com/2016/clinicas/ranking|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2022, 26 Colombian hospitals were among the 61 best in [[Latin America]] (42% total).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cinco hospitales colombianos en el top 10 de los mejores de Latinoamérica |url=https://www.agenciapi.co/noticia/salud/cinco-hospitales-colombianos-en-el-top-10-de-los-mejores-de-latinoamerica |access-date=30 March 2023 |website=Agenciapi.co |language=es}}</ref> Also in 2023, two Colombian hospitals were among the top 75 of the world.<ref>{{Cite journal |date=2023 |title=Global Top 250 Hospitals 2023 |url=https://brandirectory.com/download-report/brand-finance-amc-hospitals-100-2023-full-report.pdf |journal=Brand Finance |pages=14}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Mosquera |first=Eddy |date=17 February 2023 |title=Tres hospitales colombianos están entre los 100 mejores centros médicos del mundo |url=https://caracol.com.co/2023/02/17/tres-hospitales-colombianos-estan-entre-los-100-mejores-centros-medicos-del-mundo/ |access-date=30 March 2023 |website=Caracol Radio |language=es}}</ref>

=== Education ===
{{Main|Education in Colombia}}
The educational experience of many Colombian children begins with attendance at a [[preschool]] academy until age five (''Educación preescolar''). Basic education (''Educación básica'') is compulsory by law.<ref>Colombian Constitution of 1991 (Title II – Concerning rights, guarantees, and duties – Chapter 2 – Concerning social, economic and cultural rights – Article 67)</ref> It has two stages: Primary basic education (''Educación básica primaria'') which goes from first to fifth grade – children from six to ten years old, and Secondary basic education (''Educación básica secundaria''), which goes from sixth to ninth grade. Basic education is followed by Middle vocational education (''Educación media vocacional'') that comprises the tenth and eleventh grades. It may have different vocational training modalities or specialties (academic, technical, business, and so on.) according to the curriculum adopted by each school.<ref name="sistema educativo" />
[[File:Facultad_de_Minas_-_M5.jpg|thumb|left|M5 building – [[National University of Colombia]], designed by [[Pedro Nel Gómez]]]]

After the successful completion of all the basic and middle education years, a [[high-school diploma]] is awarded. The high-school graduate is known as a ''bachiller'', because secondary basic school and middle education are traditionally considered together as a unit called ''bachillerato'' (sixth to eleventh grade). Students in their final year of middle education take the [[ICFES Examination|ICFES test]] (now renamed Saber 11) to gain access to higher education (''Educación superior''). This higher education includes undergraduate professional studies, technical, technological and intermediate professional education, and post-graduate studies. Technical professional institutions of Higher Education are also opened to students holder of a qualification in Arts and Business. This qualification is usually awarded by the [[National Service of Learning (Colombia)|SENA]] after a two years curriculum.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://unevoc.unesco.org/go.php?q=World+TVET+Database&ct=COL|title=UNESCO-UNEVOC World TVET Database|website=unevoc.unesco.org}}</ref>

''Bachilleres'' (high-school graduates) may enter into a professional undergraduate career program offered by a university; these programs last up to five years (or less for technical, technological and intermediate professional education, and post-graduate studies), even as much to six to seven years for some careers, such as medicine. In Colombia, there is not an institution such as college; students go directly into a career program at a university or any other educational institution to obtain a professional, technical or technological title. Once graduated from the university, people are granted a (professional, technical or technological) diploma and licensed (if required) to practice the career they have chosen. For some professional career programs, students are required to take the Saber-Pro test, in their final year of undergraduate academic education.<ref name="sistema educativo">{{cite web|url=http://menweb.mineducacion.gov.co/nnormas/normas_basicas_4.swf |title=Ministerio de Educación de Colombia, Estructura del sistema educativo |date=29 June 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070629194012/http://menweb.mineducacion.gov.co/nnormas/normas_basicas_4.swf |archive-date=29 June 2007 }}</ref>

Public spending on education as a proportion of gross domestic product in 2015 was 4.49%. This represented 15.05% of total government expenditure. The [[Gross enrolment ratio|primary and secondary gross enrolment ratios]] stood at 113.56% and 98.09% respectively. [[School-life expectancy]] was 14.42 years. A total of 94.58% of the population aged 15 and older were recorded as literate, including 98.66% of those aged 15–24.<ref name="UNESCO">{{cite web|url=https://uis.unesco.org/en/country/co|title=UNESCO Institute for Statistics Colombia Profile|access-date=5 May 2017|archive-date=6 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170506052541/http://uis.unesco.org/en/country/co|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Crime===
[[File:COPES.png|thumb|[[Colombian National Police Special Operations Command|Colombian National Police Special Operations Command (COPES)]], displayed in [[Pereira, Colombia|Pereira]]. A subdivision of the [[National Police of Colombia|National Police]] for the fight against organized crime and terrorist acts.]]
{{Excerpt|Crime in Colombia}}

=== Urbanization ===
Colombia is a highly urbanized country with 77.1% of the population living in urban areas. The largest cities in the country are [[Bogotá]], with 7,387,400 inhabitants, [[Medellín]], with 2,382,399 inhabitants, [[Cali]], with 2,172,527 inhabitants, and [[Barranquilla]], with 1,205,284 inhabitants.<ref>{{cite web|title=Largest cities|url=https://www.dane.gov.co/files/varios/informacion-capital-DANE-2019.pdf|publisher=Departamento Administrativo Nacional de Estadistica (DANE)|access-date=10 February 2020}}</ref>
{{Largest cities in Colombia}}

== Culture ==
{{Main|Culture of Colombia}}
{{See also|Festivals in Colombia|Colombian folklore}}
Colombia lies at the crossroads of [[Latin American culture|Latin America]] and the broader American continent, and as such has been hit by a wide range of cultural influences. [[Indigenous peoples of the Americas|Native American]], [[Culture of Spain|Spanish]] and other [[Culture of Europe|European]], [[Culture of Africa|African]], [[Culture of the United States|American]], [[Culture of the Caribbean|Caribbean]], and [[Arab culture|Middle Eastern]] influences, as well as other Latin American cultural influences, are all present in Colombia's modern culture. Urban migration, industrialization, globalization, and other political, social and economic changes have also left an impression.{{citation needed|date=July 2021}}

Many [[National symbols of Colombia|national symbols]], both objects and themes, have arisen from Colombia's diverse cultural traditions and aim to represent what Colombia, and the Colombian people, have in common. Cultural expressions in Colombia are promoted by the government through the [[Ministry of Culture (Colombia)|Ministry of Culture]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=OECD |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Jcp8EAAAQBAJ&dq=Cultural+expressions+in+Colombia+are+promoted+by+the+government+through+the+Ministry+of+Culture.&pg=PA66 |title=Local Economic and Employment Development (LEED) Culture and the Creative Economy in Colombia Leveraging the Orange Economy: Leveraging the Orange Economy |date=21 July 2022 |publisher=OECD Publishing |isbn=978-92-64-65268-2 |language=en}}</ref>

=== Literature ===
{{Main|Colombian literature}}
[[File:Gabriel Garcia Marquez, 2009.jpg|thumb|The [[List of Nobel laureates in Literature|Nobel literature]] prize winner [[Gabriel García Márquez]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/literature/laureates/1982/marquez-lecture.html|title=Gabriel García Márquez – Nobel Lecture|publisher=nobelprize.org |access-date=12 March 2017}}</ref>]]

Colombian literature dates back to pre-Columbian era; a notable example of the period is the epic poem known as the ''Legend of Yurupary''.<ref name="The Legend of Yurupary">{{cite book|title=Legend of Yurupary|publisher=Cooperativa Editorial Magisterio|isbn=978-958-20-0836-9|year=2006|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=s_ADFUglHo0C&pg=PP1}}</ref> In Spanish colonial times, notable writers include [[Juan de Castellanos]] (''[[Elegías de varones ilustres de Indias]]''), Hernando Domínguez Camargo and his epic poem to San Ignacio de Loyola, [[Pedro Simón]] and [[Juan Rodríguez Freyle]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://sites.google.com/site/cursodeliteraturacolombiana/unidad-2/los-cronistas |title=Cronistas del Nuevo Reino de Granada |publisher=ihlc.udea.edu.co |access-date=31 March 2014 |archive-date=28 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200528073604/https://sites.google.com/site/cursodeliteraturacolombiana/unidad-2/los-cronistas |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Post-independence literature linked to Romanticism highlighted [[Antonio Nariño]], [[José Fernández Madrid]], [[Camilo Torres Tenorio]] and [[Francisco Antonio Zea]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://biblioteca-virtual-antioquia.udea.edu.co/pdf/8/8_2024432110.pdf |title=Vida, pasión y muerte del romanticismo en Colombia |publisher=biblioteca-virtual-antioquia.udea.edu.co |access-date=31 March 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141024064257/http://biblioteca-virtual-antioquia.udea.edu.co/pdf/8/8_2024432110.pdf |archive-date=24 October 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://ihlc.udea.edu.co/delc/index.php?tema=484&/Romanticismo |title=Romanticismo – Diccionario electrónico de la literatura colombiana |publisher=ihlc.udea.edu.co |date=5 November 2007 |access-date=1 April 2014 |archive-date=14 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210214043616/https://ihlc.udea.edu.co/delc/index.php?tema=484&/Romanticismo |url-status=dead }}</ref> In the second half of the nineteenth century and early twentieth century the literary genre known as ''[[costumbrismo]]'' became popular; great writers of this period were [[Tomás Carrasquilla]], [[Jorge Isaacs]] and [[Rafael Pombo]] (the latter of whom wrote notable works of children's literature).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.biblioteca.org.ar/libros/155763.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://www.biblioteca.org.ar/libros/155763.pdf |archive-date=9 October 2022 |url-status=live |title=Colombian children's literature|publisher=biblioteca.org.ar |date=12 March 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://ihlc.udea.edu.co/delc/index.php?tema=477&/Costumbrismo |title=Costumbrismo – Diccionario electrónico de la literatura colombiana |publisher=ihlc.udea.edu.co |date=5 November 2007 |access-date=1 April 2014 |archive-date=8 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210208045557/https://ihlc.udea.edu.co/delc/index.php?tema=477&/Costumbrismo |url-status=dead }}</ref> Within that period, authors such as [[José Asunción Silva]], [[José Eustasio Rivera]], [[León de Greiff]], [[Porfirio Barba-Jacob]] and [[José María Vargas Vila]] developed the [[Modernismo|modernist]] movement.<ref>{{cite book |title=Literatura y Cultura: narrativa colombiana del siglo XX. Del siglo XIX al siglo XX: debates sobre la cultura nacional |author1=Jaramillo, M.M. |author2=Osorio, B. |author3=Robledo, A. |year=2000 |url=http://www.banrepcultural.org/sites/default/files/lablaa/literatura/narrativa/Volumen1CapI.pdf |language=es |access-date=13 March 2017 |archive-date=13 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170313044900/http://www.banrepcultural.org/sites/default/files/lablaa/literatura/narrativa/Volumen1CapI.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>Rodríguez-Arenas, F.M. (2006). Bibliografía de la literatura colombiana del siglo XIX: AL. Stockcero, Inc.</ref><ref>Rodríguez-Arenas, F.M. (2006). Bibliografía de la literatura colombiana del siglo XIX: MZ. Stockcero, Inc.</ref> In 1872, Colombia established the [[Colombian Academy of Language]], the first Spanish language academy in the Americas.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.colombiaaprende.edu.co/html/home/1592/article-130142.html |title=Colombian Academy of Language |publisher=colombiaaprende.edu.co |language=es |access-date=9 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923205543/http://www.colombiaaprende.edu.co/html/home/1592/article-130142.html |archive-date=23 September 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref> [[Candelario Obeso]] wrote the groundbreaking ''Cantos Populares de mi Tierra'' (1877), the first book of poetry by an Afro-Colombian author.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://thecitypaperbogota.com/culture/obeso-poet-of-the-magdalena/ |title=Obeso: Poet of the Magdalena |date=6 March 2014 |publisher=thecitypaperbogota.com |access-date=9 March 2014}}</ref><ref name="Candelario Obeso">{{cite book|title="Chambacú, la historia la escribes tú": ensayos sobre cultura afrocolombiana (Candelario Obeso)|author=Lucía Ortiz|publisher=IBEROAMERICANA|isbn=978-84-8489-266-3|year=2007|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VlfcbtH9EY4C&pg=PP1|pages=47–69|language=es}}</ref>

Between 1939 and 1940 seven books of poetry were published under the name ''[[Stone and Sky (movement)|Stone and Sky]]'' in the city of Bogotá that significantly influenced the country; they were edited by the poet Jorge Rojas.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.banrepcultural.org/blaavirtual/publicacionesbanrep/boletin/bole69/bolet1a.htm |title=Artículo: Piedra y Cielo a contraluz |publisher=banrepcultural.org |language=es |access-date=18 February 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131106074150/http://www.banrepcultural.org/blaavirtual/publicacionesbanrep/boletin/bole69/bolet1a.htm |archive-date=6 November 2013 }}</ref> In the following decade, [[Gonzalo Arango]] founded the movement of "[[Nadaism|nothingness]]" in response to the violence of the time;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.banrepcultural.org/blaavirtual/publicacionesbanrep/boletin/boleti5/bol33/nadais10.htm |title=Gonzalo Arango |publisher=banrepcultural.org |language=es |access-date=18 February 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120119041103/http://www.banrepcultural.org/blaavirtual/publicacionesbanrep/boletin/boleti5/bol33/nadais10.htm |archive-date=19 January 2012 }}</ref> he was influenced by [[nihilism]], [[existentialism]], and the thought of another great Colombian writer: [[Fernando González (writer)|Fernando González Ochoa]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.otraparte.org/fernando-gonzalez/vida/biografia.html |title=Fernando González Ochoa |publisher=otraparte.org |date=12 March 2017 |access-date=13 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190513161548/https://www.otraparte.org/fernando-gonzalez/vida/biografia.html |archive-date=13 May 2019 |url-status=dead }}</ref> During the [[Latin American Boom|boom in Latin American literature]], successful writers emerged, led by [[Nobel Prize in Literature|Nobel laureate]] [[Gabriel García Márquez]] and his magnum opus, ''[[One Hundred Years of Solitude]]'', [[Eduardo Caballero Calderón]], [[Manuel Mejía Vallejo]], and [[Álvaro Mutis]], a writer who was awarded the [[Miguel de Cervantes Prize|Cervantes Prize]] and the [[Prince of Asturias Award for Letters]].<ref>{{cite book|title=Literatura y Cultura: narrativa colombiana del siglo XX. La nación moderna y sus sistemas simbólicos |author1=Jaramillo, M. M.|author2=Osorio, B. |author3=Robledo, A.|year=2000|url=http://www.banrepcultural.org/sites/default/files/lablaa/literatura/narrativa/Volumen1CapII.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://www.banrepcultural.org/sites/default/files/lablaa/literatura/narrativa/Volumen1CapII.pdf |archive-date=9 October 2022 |url-status=live |language=es}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Literatura y Cultura: narrativa colombiana del siglo XX. El discurso de la nación moderna: continuidades y rupturas |author1=Jaramillo, M. M.|author2=Osorio, B. |author3=Robledo, A.|year=2000|url=http://www.banrepcultural.org/sites/default/files/lablaa/literatura/narrativa/Volumen1CapIII.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://www.banrepcultural.org/sites/default/files/lablaa/literatura/narrativa/Volumen1CapIII.pdf |archive-date=9 October 2022 |url-status=live |language=es}}</ref>

=== Visual arts ===
{{Main|Colombian art}}
{{Multiple image
 | align = right
 | direction =vertical
 | width = 160
 | image1 ="Liegende mit Frucht" Skulptur von Fernando Botero in Bamberg - Deutschland.jpg
 | caption1 = Work by the painter and sculptor [[Fernando Botero]]
 | image2 = Alonso de Narvaez - Our Lady of Chiquinquira,1562.jpg
 | caption2 = Colonial painting [[Our Lady of the Rosary of Chiquinquirá|The Virgin of Chiquinquirá]] (1562) by [[Alonso de Narváez]].<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=U6fOEAAAQBAJ&dq=virgin+of+chiquinquir%C3%A1+alonso+de+narvaez&pg=PA522|title=Hispanic American Religious Cultures|author=[[Miguel A. De La Torre]]|page=522|isbn=9781598841404|publisher=[[ABC-CLIO]]|year=2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZXWRgP-0KBkC&dq=virgin+of+chiquinquir%C3%A1+alonso+de+narvaez&pg=PA671|title=Mary in Our Life. Atlas of the Names and Titles of Mary, the Mother of Jesus, and Their Place in Marian Devotion|author=Nicholas J. Santoro|page=671|isbn=9781462040223|publisher=[[iUniverse]]|year=2011}}</ref> She is the Catholic [[Patron saint|Patroness]] of Colombia. The original canvas is located in the [[Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary of Chiquinquirá]].
 | image3 = Santiago Martinez Delgado in the colombian congress.jpg
 | caption3 = Mural by [[Santiago Martínez Delgado]]
}}

Colombian art has over 3,000 years of history. Colombian artists have captured the country's changing political and cultural backdrop using a range of styles and mediums. There is archeological evidence of ceramics being produced earlier in Colombia than anywhere else in the Americas, dating as early as 3,000&nbsp;BCE.<ref name="donquijote.org">{{cite web| url=http://www.donquijote.org/culture/colombia/art/ |publisher=donquijote.org |title=Colombian Art|access-date=22 August 2013}}</ref><ref name="artecolombiano">{{cite book|title=El arte colombiano. Volume 3 of Selección Cultura colombiana|author=Francisco Gil Tovar|publisher=Plaza y Janes Editores Colombia s.a|isbn=978-958-14-0016-4|year=1985|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fre20PtG-ZAC&pg=PP1|language=es}}</ref>

The earliest examples of gold craftsmanship have been attributed to the Tumaco people<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.banrepcultural.org/gold-museum/tumaco |publisher=banrepcultural.org |title=Tumaco: People and Gold on the Pacific Coast |access-date=22 August 2013 |archive-date=1 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131101233105/http://www.banrepcultural.org/gold-museum/tumaco |url-status=dead }}</ref> of the Pacific coast and date to around 325&nbsp;BCE. Roughly between 200&nbsp;BCE and 800 CE, the [[San Agustín, Huila|San Agustín culture]], masters of [[Stonemasonry|stonecutting]], entered its "classical period". They erected raised [[Ceremony|ceremonial]] centers, [[sarcophagi]], and large stone [[monolith]]s depicting [[anthropomorphic]] and [[Zoomorphism|zoomorphic]] forms out of [[Rock (geology)|stone]].<ref name="artecolombiano" /><ref name="San Agustín">{{cite web| url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/744|publisher=UNESCO| title=San Agustín Archaeological Park|access-date=22 August 2013}}</ref>

Colombian art has followed the trends of the time, so during the 16th to 18th centuries, [[Roman Catholicism in Spain|Spanish Catholicism]] had a huge influence on Colombian art, and the popular [[baroque]] style was replaced with [[rococo]] when the Bourbons ascended to the [[Monarchy of Spain|Spanish crown]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.banrepcultural.org/blaavirtual/todaslasartes/ext/ext13.htm#12b|publisher=banrepcultural.org|title=El espíritu barroco en el arte colonial|author=Marta Fajardo De Rueda|language=es|access-date=9 May 2016|archive-date=14 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171014120713/http://www.banrepcultural.org/blaavirtual/todaslasartes/ext/ext13.htm#12b|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.banrepcultural.org/blaavirtual/revistas/credencial/junio2001/joaquin.htm|publisher=banrepcultural.org|title=Joaquín Gutiérrez, el "pintor de los virreyes": Expresión del estilo rococó en la Nueva Granada|author=Uribe Restrepo, Fernando|language=es|access-date=9 May 2016|archive-date=22 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170422013256/http://www.banrepcultural.org/blaavirtual/revistas/credencial/junio2001/joaquin.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> During this era, in the Spanish colony, the most important Neogranadine (Colombian) painters were [[Gregorio Vásquez de Arce y Ceballos]], [[Gaspar de Figueroa]], [[Baltasar Vargas de Figueroa]], [[Baltasar de Figueroa (the Elder)]], [[Antonio Acero de la Cruz]] and [[Joaquín Gutiérrez (painter)|Joaquín Gutiérrez]], of which their works are preserved. Also important was [[Alonso de Narváez]] who, although born in the province of Seville, spent most of his life in colonial Colombia, also the Italian [[Angelino Medoro]], lived in Colombia and Peru, and left works of art preserved in several churches in [[Tunja]] city.

During the mid-19th century, one of the most remarkable painters was [[Ramón Torres Méndez]], who produced a series of good quality paintings depicting the people and their customs of different Colombian regions. Also noteworthy in the 19th century were [[Andrés de Santa Maria|Andrés de Santa María]], [[Pedro José Figueroa]], [[Epifanio Garay]], [[Mercedes Delgado Mallarino]], [[José María Espinosa]], [[Ricardo Acevedo Bernal]], between many others.

More recently, Colombian artists [[Pedro Nel Gómez]] and [[Santiago Martínez Delgado]] started the Colombian Murial Movement in the 1940s, featuring the [[Neoclassicism|neoclassical]] features of [[Art Deco]].<ref name="donquijote.org" /><ref name="artecolombiano" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.banrepcultural.org/blaavirtual/biografias/gomepedr.htm|publisher=banrepcultural.org|title=Pedro Nel Gómez Agudelo|language=es|access-date=9 May 2016|archive-date=9 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160509225510/http://www.banrepcultural.org/blaavirtual/biografias/gomepedr.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Miradas a la plástica colombiana de 1900 a 1950: un debate histórico y estético|author1=Luz Guillermina Sinning Téllez|author2=Ruth Nohemí Acuña Prieto|publisher=U. Externado de Colombia|isbn=978-958-710-748-7|year=2011|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yA5joGlOnIEC&pg=PA7|language=es}}</ref> Since the 1950s, the Colombian art started to have a distinctive point of view, reinventing traditional elements under the concepts of the 20th century. Examples of this are the Greiff [[portrait]]s by [[Ignacio Gómez Jaramillo]], showing what the Colombian art could do with the new techniques applied to typical Colombian themes. Carlos Correa, with his [[paradigm]]atic "Naturaleza muerta en silencio" (silent dead nature), combines geometrical [[Abstraction (art)|abstraction]] and [[cubism]]. [[Alejandro Obregón]] is often considered as the father of modern Colombian painting, and one of the most influential artist in this period, due to his originality, the painting of Colombian landscapes with [[Symbolism (arts)|symbolic]] and [[Expressionism|expressionist]] use of animals, (specially the [[Andean condor]]).<ref name="artecolombiano" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iadb.org/EXR/cultural/catalogues/Colombia/spabeggining1.htm|publisher=iadb.org|title=Puntos de partida en el arte contemporáneo de Colombia|language=es|access-date=9 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160416052215/http://www.iadb.org/EXR/cultural/catalogues/Colombia/spabeggining1.htm|archive-date=16 April 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.banrepcultural.org/coleccion-de-arte-banco-de-la-republica/cl%C3%A1sicos-experimentales-y-radicales-1950-%E2%80%93-1980|publisher=banrepcultural.org|title=Clásicos, experimentales y radicales 1950–1980|author1=Carmen María Jaramillo|author2=Sylvia Suárez|language=es|access-date=9 May 2016|archive-date=10 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160510001359/http://www.banrepcultural.org/coleccion-de-arte-banco-de-la-republica/cl%C3%A1sicos-experimentales-y-radicales-1950-%E2%80%93-1980|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[Fernando Botero]], [[Omar Rayo]], [[Enrique Grau]], [[Édgar Negret]], [[David Manzur]], [[Rodrigo Arenas Betancourt]], [[Oscar Murillo (artist)|Oscar Murillo]], [[Doris Salcedo]] and [[Oscar Muñoz (artist)|Oscar Muñoz]] are some of the Colombian artists featured at the international level.<ref name="donquijote.org" /><ref>{{cite book|title=Arte en Colombia, 1981–2006|author=Carlos Arturo Fernández|publisher=Universidad de Antioquia|isbn=978-958-714-017-0|year=2007|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=D8bHJutOqqwC&pg=PP1 |language=es}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Geografía del arte en Colombia. Biblioteca del Gran Cauca: Colección clásicos regionales|author=Eugenio Barney Cabrera|publisher=Universidad del Valle|isbn=978-958-670-450-2 |year=2005|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=r6V2T45r03UC&pg=PP1 |language=es}}</ref><ref name="museorayo">{{cite web|url=http://www.museorayo.co/vidaObraOR.php|title=Omar RayoM|publisher=museorayo.co|language=es|access-date=9 October 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160510001306/http://www.museorayo.co/vidaObraOR.php|archive-date=10 May 2016}}</ref>

The Colombian sculpture from the sixteenth to 18th centuries was mostly devoted to [[Religious art|religious depictions]] of ecclesiastic art, strongly influenced by the Spanish schools of [[sacred]] sculpture. During the early period of the Colombian republic, the national artists were focused in the production of sculptural portraits of politicians and public figures, in a plain [[neoclassicist]] trend.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.academia.edu/2074247|publisher=academia.edu|title=Pietro Tenerani y la escultura en Colombia en el siglo XIX|author=Carolina Vanegas Carrasco |language=es|access-date=9 May 2016}}</ref> During the 20th century, the Colombian sculpture began to develop a bold and innovative work with the aim of reaching a better understanding of national sensitivity.<ref name="artecolombiano" /><ref name="Colombian sculptors">{{cite web|url=http://www.colombia.com/cultura/resenas/escultura.asp|title=Colombian sculptors|publisher=colombia.com|language=es|access-date=9 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150723034605/http://www.colombia.com/cultura/resenas/escultura.asp|archive-date=23 July 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Colombian photography was marked by the arrival of the [[daguerreotype]]. [[Jean-Baptiste Louis Gros]] was who brought the daguerreotype process to Colombia in 1841. The Piloto public library has Latin America's largest archive of negatives, containing 1.7&nbsp;million antique photographs covering Colombia 1848 until 2005.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://colombiareports.co/latin-americas-largest-antique-negative-archive-medellins-public-library/| title=Latin America's largest antique negative archive in Medellín| date=16 December 2013|publisher=colombiareports.co|access-date=16 December 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://biblioteca-virtual-antioquia.udea.edu.co/pdf/10/phot-mec-cfa.pdf |title=Apuntes para una cronología de la fotografía en Antioquía |language=es |access-date=22 August 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812182737/http://biblioteca-virtual-antioquia.udea.edu.co/pdf/10/phot-mec-cfa.pdf |archive-date=12 August 2014 }}</ref>

The Colombian press has promoted the work of the [[cartoonist]]s. In recent decades, [[fanzine]]s, internet and [[independent publisher]]s have been fundamental to the growth of the comic in Colombia.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.elespectador.com/noticias/cultura/entender-los-comics-colombia-articulo-516194|publisher=elespectador.com|title=Para entender los cómics en Colombia|author=Pablo Guerra |language=es|access-date=9 May 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bibliotecanacional.gov.co/comic/especial-entre-vi%C3%B1etas-la-historieta-colombiana-en-prensa|publisher=bibliotecanacional.gov.co|title=Especial Entre Viñetas la historieta colombiana en prensa|author=Pablo Guerra|language=es|access-date=9 May 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160510044919/http://www.bibliotecanacional.gov.co/comic/especial-entre-vi%C3%B1etas-la-historieta-colombiana-en-prensa|archive-date=10 May 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://facartes.unal.edu.co/muvirt/cronologia/index.html|publisher=Facultad de Artes: Universidad Nacional de Colombia|title=Museo Virtual de la Historieta Colombiana – Cronología|language=es|access-date=9 May 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160311233941/http://www.facartes.unal.edu.co/muvirt/cronologia/index.html|archive-date=11 March 2016}}</ref>

=== Architecture ===
{{Main|Architecture of Colombia}}
{{See also|Muisca architecture}}

Throughout the times, there have been a variety of [[List of architectural styles|architectural styles]], from those of indigenous peoples to contemporary ones, passing through colonial (military and religious), Republican, transition and modern styles.<ref>{{cite book |url=http://aplicaciones.virtual.unal.edu.co/blogs/hacolombia/category/1-introduccion/periodizacion/ |title=Periodización |publisher=Universidad Nacional |author=Silvia Arango |year=1990 |location=Bogotá |isbn=958-17-0061-7 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160610210036/http://aplicaciones.virtual.unal.edu.co/blogs/hacolombia/category/1-introduccion/periodizacion/ |archive-date=10 June 2016  }}</ref>

[[File:Street_Scenes_in_Cartagena,_Colombia_(24045961890).jpg|thumb|Colonial balconies in the streets of [[Cartagena, Colombia|Cartagena]]]]
[[File:Catedral-Basílica-de-Nuestra-Señora-de-la-Asunción-de-Popayán-Colombia-1.jpg|thumb|Colonial [[Popayán]] main plaza, [[Cauca Department]]]]
[[File:Pila de agua en la Plaza Central en Villa de Leyva, Boyacá, Colombia.jpg|thumb|Colonial [[Villa de Leyva]], [[Boyacá Department]]]]
Ancient habitation areas, longhouses, [[Terrace (agriculture)|crop terraces]], roads as the [[Inca road system]], cemeteries, [[hypogeum]]s and [[necropolis]]es are all part of the [[Indigenous architecture|architectural heritage of indigenous peoples]].<ref>{{cite book |url=http://aplicaciones.virtual.unal.edu.co/blogs/hacolombia/category/cap-i/2-nivel-formativo-tribal/ |title=Nivel Formativo Tribal. La Casa Comunal |publisher=Universidad Nacional |author=Silvia Arango |year=1990 |location=Bogotá |isbn=958-17-0061-7 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160610210203/http://aplicaciones.virtual.unal.edu.co/blogs/hacolombia/category/cap-i/2-nivel-formativo-tribal/ |archive-date=10 June 2016  }}</ref> Some prominent indigenous structures are the [[Andean preceramic|preceramic]] and [[ceramic]] archaeological site of [[Tequendama]],<ref>{{cite book |url=http://aplicaciones.virtual.unal.edu.co/blogs/hacolombia/category/cap-i/1-nivel-paleoindio/ |title=Nivel Paleoindio. Abrigos rocosos del tequendama |publisher=Universidad Nacional |author=Silvia Arango |year=1990 |location=Bogotá |isbn=958-17-0061-7 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160610210129/http://aplicaciones.virtual.unal.edu.co/blogs/hacolombia/category/cap-i/1-nivel-paleoindio/ |archive-date=10 June 2016  }}</ref> [[Tierradentro]] (a park that contains the largest concentration of [[List of pre-Columbian cultures|pre-Columbian]] monumental [[shaft tomb]]s with side chambers),<ref>{{cite web| url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/743|publisher=UNESCO| title=National Archeological Park of Tierradentro|access-date=9 June 2016}}</ref> the largest collection of religious monuments and [[megalithic]] sculptures in South America, located in [[San Agustín Archaeological Park|San Agustín, Huila]],<ref name="San Agustín" /><ref>{{cite book |url=http://aplicaciones.virtual.unal.edu.co/blogs/hacolombia/category/cap-i/3-los-cacicazgos/ |title=Los cacicazgos. Las Aldeas y las Tumbas |publisher=Universidad Nacional |author=Silvia Arango |year=1990 |location=Bogotá |isbn=958-17-0061-7 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160602122708/http://aplicaciones.virtual.unal.edu.co/blogs/hacolombia/category/cap-i/3-los-cacicazgos/ |archive-date=2 June 2016  }}</ref> [[Ciudad Perdida|Lost city]] (an archaeological site with a series of terraces carved into the mountainside, a net of tiled roads, and several circular plazas), and the large villages mainly built with [[stone]], wood, cane, and mud.<ref>{{cite book |url=http://aplicaciones.virtual.unal.edu.co/blogs/hacolombia/category/cap-i/4-los-tayrona-y-los-muisca-la-preciudad/ |title=Los Tayrona y los Muisca: La Preciudad |publisher=Universidad Nacional |author=Silvia Arango |year=1990 |location=Bogotá |isbn=958-17-0061-7 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160602202706/http://aplicaciones.virtual.unal.edu.co/blogs/hacolombia/category/cap-i/4-los-tayrona-y-los-muisca-la-preciudad/ |archive-date=2 June 2016  }}</ref>
Architecture during the period of conquest and colonization is mainly derived of adapting [[European architecture|European styles]] to local conditions, and [[Spanish architecture|Spanish influence]], especially [[Andalusia]]n and [[Extremadura]]n, can be easily seen.<ref>{{cite book |url=http://aplicaciones.virtual.unal.edu.co/blogs/hacolombia/category/cap-ii/3-la-america-espanola-1730-1810/ |title=La América española. El apasionamiento escenográfico, 1730–1810 |publisher=Universidad Nacional |author=Silvia Arango |year=1990 |location=Bogotá |isbn=958-17-0061-7 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160610210625/http://aplicaciones.virtual.unal.edu.co/blogs/hacolombia/category/cap-ii/3-la-america-espanola-1730-1810/ |archive-date=10 June 2016  }}</ref> When Europeans founded cities two things were making simultaneously: the dimensioning of geometrical space ([[town square]], street), and the location of a tangible point of [[Map orientation|orientation]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.banrepcultural.org/blaavirtual/revistas/credencial/sept2001/fundacio.htm |title=Fundaciones coloniales y republicanas en Colombia: normas, trazado y ritos fundacionales |publisher=Revista Credencial Historia |access-date=10 June 2016 |author=Agustín, José |language=es |archive-date=14 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110814065957/http://www.banrepcultural.org/blaavirtual/revistas/credencial/sept2001/fundacio.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> The construction of [[fort]]s was common throughout the Caribbean and in some cities of the interior, because of the dangers posed to Spanish colonial settlements from English, French and Dutch [[Piracy in the Caribbean|pirates]] and hostile indigenous groups.<ref>{{cite book |url=http://aplicaciones.virtual.unal.edu.co/blogs/hacolombia/category/cap-ii/1-la-conquista-1500-1550/ |title=La Conquista. El dominio del territorio, 1500–1550 |publisher=Universidad Nacional |author=Silvia Arango |year=1990 |location=Bogotá |isbn=958-17-0061-7 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160610210435/http://aplicaciones.virtual.unal.edu.co/blogs/hacolombia/category/cap-ii/1-la-conquista-1500-1550/ |archive-date=10 June 2016  }}</ref> Churches, chapels, schools, and hospitals belonging to [[Catholic religious order|religious orders]] have a great urban influence.<ref name="1550–1750">{{cite book |url=http://aplicaciones.virtual.unal.edu.co/blogs/hacolombia/category/cap-ii/2-la-espana-americana-1550-1750/ |title=La España americana. Consolidación de tipologías, 1550–1750 |publisher=Universidad Nacional |author=Silvia Arango |year=1990 |location=Bogotá |isbn=958-17-0061-7 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160610210511/http://aplicaciones.virtual.unal.edu.co/blogs/hacolombia/category/cap-ii/2-la-espana-americana-1550-1750/ |archive-date=10 June 2016  }}</ref> [[Baroque architecture]] is used in military buildings and public spaces.<ref>{{cite book |url=http://aplicaciones.virtual.unal.edu.co/blogs/hacolombia/?cat=14304 |title=Arquitectura colonial |publisher=Universidad Nacional |author=Silvia Arango |year=1990 |location=Bogotá |isbn=958-17-0061-7 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160610210403/http://aplicaciones.virtual.unal.edu.co/blogs/hacolombia/?cat=14304 |archive-date=10 June 2016  }}</ref> Marcelino Arroyo, [[Francisco José de Caldas]] and Domingo de Petrés were great representatives of [[neo-classical architecture]].<ref name="1550–1750" />

The [[Capitolio Nacional|National Capitol]] is a great representative of romanticism.<ref>{{cite book| url=http://aplicaciones.virtual.unal.edu.co/blogs/hacolombia/category/cap-iii/1-el-capitolio-y-tomas-reed-d-capitulo-iii/| title=El Capitolio y Tomás Reed| publisher=Universidad Nacional| author=Silvia Arango| year=1990| location=Bogotá| isbn=958-17-0061-7| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160610210826/http://aplicaciones.virtual.unal.edu.co/blogs/hacolombia/category/cap-iii/1-el-capitolio-y-tomas-reed-d-capitulo-iii/| archive-date=10 June 2016| df=dmy-all}}</ref> Wood was extensively used in doors, windows, railings, and ceilings during the colonization of [[Antioquia Department|Antioquia]]. The [[Caribbean region of Colombia|Caribbean]] architecture acquires a strong [[Arabic architecture|Arabic influence]].<ref>{{cite book |url=http://aplicaciones.virtual.unal.edu.co/blogs/hacolombia/category/cap-iii/2-la-arquitectura-de-la-colonizacion/ |title=La arquitectura de la colonización |publisher=Universidad Nacional |author=Silvia Arango |year=1990 |location=Bogotá |isbn=958-17-0061-7 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160610210907/http://aplicaciones.virtual.unal.edu.co/blogs/hacolombia/category/cap-iii/2-la-arquitectura-de-la-colonizacion/ |archive-date=10 June 2016  }}</ref> The [[Teatro de Cristóbal Colón|Teatro Colón]] in Bogotá is a lavish example of architecture from the 19th century.<ref>{{cite book |url=http://aplicaciones.virtual.unal.edu.co/blogs/hacolombia/category/cap-iii/3-la-arquitectura-urbana-de-fin-de-siglo/ |title=La arquitectura urbana de fin de siglo |publisher=Universidad Nacional |author=Silvia Arango |year=1990 |location=Bogotá |isbn=958-17-0061-7 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160506073539/http://aplicaciones.virtual.unal.edu.co/blogs/hacolombia/category/cap-iii/3-la-arquitectura-urbana-de-fin-de-siglo/ |archive-date=6 May 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The quintas houses with innovations in the [[volumetric]] conception are some of the best examples of the Republican architecture; the Republican action in the city focused on the design of three types of [[Spatial analysis|spaces]]: parks with forests, small [[urban park]]s and [[Avenue (landscape)|avenues]] and the [[Gothic architecture|Gothic style]] was most commonly used for the design of churches.<ref>{{cite book |url=http://aplicaciones.virtual.unal.edu.co/blogs/hacolombia/category/cap-iv/2-la-generacion-republicana/ |title=La generación republicana |publisher=Universidad Nacional |author=Silvia Arango |year=1990 |location=Bogotá |isbn=958-17-0061-7 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160610211218/http://aplicaciones.virtual.unal.edu.co/blogs/hacolombia/category/cap-iv/2-la-generacion-republicana/ |archive-date=10 June 2016  }}</ref>

Deco style, [[Rationalism (architecture)|modern neoclassicism]], [[Eclecticism in architecture|eclecticism]] [[folklorist]] and [[art deco]] [[Ornament (art)|ornamental]] resources significantly influenced the architecture of Colombia, especially during the transition period.<ref>{{cite book |url=http://aplicaciones.virtual.unal.edu.co/blogs/hacolombia/category/cap-v/1-la-persistencia-de-los-estilos/ |title=La persistencia de los estilos |publisher=Universidad Nacional |author=Silvia Arango |year=1990 |location=Bogotá |isbn=958-17-0061-7 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304211009/http://aplicaciones.virtual.unal.edu.co/blogs/hacolombia/category/cap-v/1-la-persistencia-de-los-estilos/ |archive-date=4 March 2016  }}</ref> [[International Style (architecture)|Modernism]] contributed with new construction technologies and new [[Building material|materials]] (steel, [[reinforced concrete]], glass and synthetic materials) and the [[topology]] architecture and [[Concrete slab|lightened slabs system]] also have a great influence.<ref>{{cite book |url=http://aplicaciones.virtual.unal.edu.co/blogs/hacolombia/category/cap-vi/3-primera-fase/ |title=Primera fase: los alardes de la técnica |publisher=Universidad Nacional |author=Silvia Arango |year=1990 |location=Bogotá |isbn=958-17-0061-7 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160610212041/http://aplicaciones.virtual.unal.edu.co/blogs/hacolombia/category/cap-vi/3-primera-fase/ |archive-date=10 June 2016  }}</ref> The most influential architects of the modern movement were [[Rogelio Salmona]] and Fernando Martínez Sanabria.<ref>{{cite book |url=http://aplicaciones.virtual.unal.edu.co/blogs/hacolombia/category/cap-vi/4-segunda-fase/ |title=Segunda fase: la asimilación consiente |publisher=Universidad Nacional |author=Silvia Arango |year=1990 |location=Bogotá |isbn=958-17-0061-7 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160610212127/http://aplicaciones.virtual.unal.edu.co/blogs/hacolombia/category/cap-vi/4-segunda-fase/ |archive-date=10 June 2016  }}</ref>

The [[contemporary architecture]] of Colombia is designed to give greater importance to the [[Building material|materials]], this architecture takes into account the specific [[Geographical feature|natural and artificial geographies]] and is also an architecture that appeals to the [[sense]]s.<ref>{{cite book |url=http://aplicaciones.virtual.unal.edu.co/blogs/hacolombia/category/cap-vii/3-arquitectura-de-los-sentidos-y-contextualidad/ |title=Arquitectura de los sentidos y contextualidad |publisher=Universidad Nacional |author=Silvia Arango |year=1990 |location=Bogotá |isbn=958-17-0061-7 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160611005914/http://aplicaciones.virtual.unal.edu.co/blogs/hacolombia/category/cap-vii/3-arquitectura-de-los-sentidos-y-contextualidad/ |archive-date=11 June 2016  }}</ref> The [[Architectural conservation|conservation of the architectural and urban heritage]] of Colombia has been promoted in recent years.<ref>{{cite book |url=http://aplicaciones.virtual.unal.edu.co/blogs/hacolombia/category/cap-vii/2-la-recuperacion-del-pasado/ |title=La recuperación del pasado |publisher=Universidad Nacional |author=Silvia Arango |year=1990 |location=Bogotá |isbn=958-17-0061-7 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160611010039/http://aplicaciones.virtual.unal.edu.co/blogs/hacolombia/category/cap-vii/2-la-recuperacion-del-pasado/ |archive-date=11 June 2016  }}</ref>

=== Music ===
{{Main|Music of Colombia}}
Colombia has a vibrant collage of talent that touches a full spectrum of [[rhythm]]s. It is known as the land of a thousand rhythms, at around 1,024 folk rhythms. Musicians, composers, music producers and singers from Colombia are recognized internationally such as [[Shakira]], [[Juanes]], [[Carlos Vives]] and others.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cromos.com.co/especial-colombia/articulo-147471-personajes-destacados-la-musica-vibra-los-cinco-continentes|publisher=cromos.com.co|title=Colombianos que se destacan: Música que vibra por todo el mundo|language=es|access-date=24 May 2016|archive-date=24 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160524214703/http://www.cromos.com.co/especial-colombia/articulo-147471-personajes-destacados-la-musica-vibra-los-cinco-continentes|url-status=dead}}</ref> Colombian music blends European-influenced guitar and song structure with large [[gaita flutes]] and percussion instruments from the indigenous population, while its percussion structure and dance forms come from Africa. Colombia has a diverse and dynamic musical environment.<ref name="about.com">{{cite web|url=http://latinmusic.about.com/od/countrie1/p/PRO04BASICS.htm|publisher=about.com|title=Colombian music|access-date=22 August 2013|archive-date=2 November 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131102075148/http://latinmusic.about.com/od/countrie1/p/PRO04BASICS.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref>
[[File:Ejes musicales de Colombia1.png|thumb|left|upright|Regions of Colombia by their traditional music]]

[[Guillermo Uribe Holguín]], an important cultural figure in the [[National Symphony Orchestra of Colombia]], Luis Antonio Calvo and Blas Emilio Atehortúa are some of the greatest exponents of the [[art music]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://facartes.unal.edu.co/compositores/html/_compositores.html|publisher=facartes.unal.edu.co|title=Colombian composers|language=es|access-date=29 April 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160411030708/http://facartes.unal.edu.co/compositores/html/_compositores.html|archive-date=11 April 2016}}</ref> The [[Bogotá Philharmonic Orchestra]] is one of the most active orchestras in Colombia.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://patrimoniocultural.bogota.unal.edu.co/internas-auditorio/acerca-de-la-ofb.html|publisher=patrimoniocultural.bogota.unal.edu.co|title=Bogotá Philharmonic|language=es|access-date=29 April 2017}}</ref>

Caribbean music has many vibrant rhythms, such as [[Cumbia (Colombia)|cumbia]] (it is played by the [[maraca]]s, the drums, the gaitas and [[guacharaca]]), [[porro]] (it is a monotonous but joyful rhythm), [[mapalé]] (with its fast rhythm and constant [[clapping]]) and the "[[vallenato]]", which originated in the northern part of the [[Caribbean]] coast (the rhythm is mainly played by the caja, the guacharaca, and [[accordion]]).<ref name="Colombian music">{{cite web|url=http://www.colombia-sa.com/musica/musica-in.html|title=Colombian music|publisher=colombia-sa.com |access-date=25 May 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.territoriosonoro.org/CDM/tradicionales/ejes/visualizar/3|title=Músicas Caribe Occidental|publisher=territoriosonoro.org|access-date=25 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150806233314/http://www.territoriosonoro.org/CDM/tradicionales/ejes/visualizar/3|archive-date=6 August 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.territoriosonoro.org/CDM/tradicionales/ejes/visualizar/2|title=Músicas Caribe Oriental|publisher=territoriosonoro.org|access-date=25 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150807074711/http://www.territoriosonoro.org/CDM/tradicionales/ejes/visualizar/2|archive-date=7 August 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sinic.gov.co/SINIC/ColombiaCultural/ColCulturalBusca.aspx?AREID=3&SECID=8&IdDep=13&COLTEM=222|title=Ritmos – Bolívar|publisher=sinic.gov.co|language=es|access-date=25 May 2016|archive-date=9 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160509175109/http://www.sinic.gov.co/SINIC/ColombiaCultural/ColCulturalBusca.aspx?AREID=3&SECID=8&IdDep=13&COLTEM=222|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sinic.gov.co/SINIC/ColombiaCultural/ColCulturalBusca.aspx?AREID=3&SECID=8&IdDep=20&COLTEM=222|title=Ritmos – Cesar|publisher=sinic.gov.co|language=es|access-date=25 May 2016|archive-date=24 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160524081524/http://www.sinic.gov.co/SINIC/ColombiaCultural/ColCulturalBusca.aspx?AREID=3&SECID=8&IdDep=20&COLTEM=222|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The music from the [[Pacific coast]], such as the [[Currulao (music genre)|currulao]], is characterized by its strong use of drums (instruments such as the native [[marimba]], the conunos, the [[bass drum]], the [[side drum]], and the cuatro guasas or tubular rattle). An important rhythm of the south region of the Pacific coast is the [[contradanza]] (it is used in dance shows due to the striking colours of the costumes).<ref name="Colombian music" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sinic.gov.co/SINIC/ColombiaCultural/ColCulturalBusca.aspx?AREID=3&SECID=8&IdDep=27&COLTEM=222|title=Ritmos – Chocó|publisher=sinic.gov.co|language=es|access-date=25 May 2016|archive-date=24 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160524081612/http://www.sinic.gov.co/SINIC/ColombiaCultural/ColCulturalBusca.aspx?AREID=3&SECID=8&IdDep=27&COLTEM=222|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sinic.gov.co/SINIC/ColombiaCultural/ColCulturalBusca.aspx?AREID=3&SECID=8&IdDep=19&COLTEM=222|title=Ritmos – Cauca|publisher=sinic.gov.co|language=es|access-date=25 May 2016|archive-date=24 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160524081657/http://www.sinic.gov.co/SINIC/ColombiaCultural/ColCulturalBusca.aspx?AREID=3&SECID=8&IdDep=19&COLTEM=222|url-status=dead}}</ref> Marimba music, traditional chants and dances from the Colombia South Pacific region are on [[UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists|UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.unesco.org/culture/ich/en/RL/marimba-music-traditional-chants-and-dances-from-the-colombia-south-pacific-region-and-esmeraldas-province-of-ecuador-01099|title=Marimba music, traditional chants and dances from the Colombia South Pacific region |publisher=unesco.org |access-date=25 May 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.territoriosonoro.org/CDM/tradicionales/ejes/visualizar/9|title=Músicas Pacífico Sur|publisher=territoriosonoro.org|access-date=25 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150808023628/http://www.territoriosonoro.org/CDM/tradicionales/ejes/visualizar/9|archive-date=8 August 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.territoriosonoro.org/CDM/tradicionales/ejes/visualizar/4|title=Músicas Pacífico Norte|publisher=territoriosonoro.org|access-date=25 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150808023619/http://www.territoriosonoro.org/CDM/tradicionales/ejes/visualizar/4|archive-date=8 August 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>

[[File:Jorge Celedón in DC.JPG|thumb|[[Jorge Celedón]] of the [[Binomio de Oro de América]] band. The [[Vallenato]], along with [[Cumbia (Colombia)|Cumbia]], are the two most popular Colombian folk music genres heard in Latin America.]]

Important musical rhythms of the [[Andean Region (Colombia)|Andean Region]] are the [[danza]] (dance of Andean folklore arising from the transformation of the European contredance), the [[bambuco]] (it is played with guitar, [[Colombian tiple|tiple]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.banrepcultural.org/blaavirtual/musica/tiple/indice.htm|title=Los Caminos del tiple|publisher=Bogotá: Ediciones AMP Damel.|year=1988|author=Puerta Zuluaga, D.|access-date=3 May 2017|archive-date=3 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170503084731/http://www.banrepcultural.org/blaavirtual/musica/tiple/indice.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> and [[mandolin]], the rhythm is danced by couples), the [[pasillo]] (a rhythm inspired by the Austrian [[waltz]] and the Colombian "danza", the lyrics have been composed by well-known poets), the guabina (the [[tiple]], the [[bandola]] and the [[requinto]] are the basic instruments), the [[sanjuanero]] (it originated in [[Tolima Department|Tolima]] and [[Huila Department|Huila]] Departments, the rhythm is joyful and fast).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sinic.gov.co/SINIC/ColombiaCultural/ColCulturalBusca.aspx?AREID=3&SECID=8&IdDep=11&COLTEM=222|title=Ritmos – Bogotá|publisher=sinic.gov.co|language=es|access-date=25 May 2016|archive-date=24 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160524082507/http://www.sinic.gov.co/SINIC/ColombiaCultural/ColCulturalBusca.aspx?AREID=3&SECID=8&IdDep=11&COLTEM=222|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sinic.gov.co/SINIC/ColombiaCultural/ColCulturalBusca.aspx?AREID=3&SECID=8&IdDep=73&COLTEM=222|title=Ritmos -Tolima|publisher=sinic.gov.co|language=es|access-date=25 May 2016|archive-date=24 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160524082541/http://www.sinic.gov.co/SINIC/ColombiaCultural/ColCulturalBusca.aspx?AREID=3&SECID=8&IdDep=73&COLTEM=222|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sinic.gov.co/SINIC/ColombiaCultural/ColCulturalBusca.aspx?AREID=3&SECID=8&IdDep=41&COLTEM=222|title=Ritmos – Huila|publisher=sinic.gov.co|language=es|access-date=25 May 2016|archive-date=24 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160524082605/http://www.sinic.gov.co/SINIC/ColombiaCultural/ColCulturalBusca.aspx?AREID=3&SECID=8&IdDep=41&COLTEM=222|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.territoriosonoro.org/CDM/tradicionales/ejes/visualizar/5|title=Músicas Andinas Centro-Oriente|publisher=territoriosonoro.org|access-date=25 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150808030945/http://www.territoriosonoro.org/CDM/tradicionales/ejes/visualizar/5|archive-date=8 August 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.territoriosonoro.org/CDM/tradicionales/ejes/visualizar/6|title=Músicas Andinas Nor-Occidente|publisher=territoriosonoro.org|access-date=25 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150808023624/http://www.territoriosonoro.org/CDM/tradicionales/ejes/visualizar/6|archive-date=8 August 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> Apart from these traditional rhythms, [[salsa music]] has spread throughout the country, and the city of [[Cali]] is considered by many salsa singers to be 'The New Salsa Capital of the World'.<ref name="Colombian music" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.territoriosonoro.org/CDM/tradicionales/ejes/visualizar/7|title=Músicas Andinas Centro-Sur|publisher=territoriosonoro.org|access-date=25 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150708222015/http://www.territoriosonoro.org/CDM/tradicionales/ejes/visualizar/7|archive-date=8 July 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.territoriosonoro.org/CDM/tradicionales/ejes/visualizar/10|title=Músicas Andinas Sur-Occidente|publisher=territoriosonoro.org|access-date=25 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150812043609/http://www.territoriosonoro.org/CDM/tradicionales/ejes/visualizar/10|archive-date=12 August 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The instruments that distinguish the music of the [[Orinoquía natural region|Eastern Plains]] are the [[harp]], the [[Cuatro (instrument)|cuatro]] (a type of four-stringed guitar) and maracas. Important rhythms of this region are the [[joropo]] (a fast rhythm and there is also tapping as a result of its [[flamenco]] ancestry) and the [[galeron]] (it is heard a lot while [[cowboy]]s are working).<ref name="Colombian music" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sinic.gov.co/SINIC/ColombiaCultural/ColCulturalBusca.aspx?AREID=3&SECID=8&IdDep=50&COLTEM=222|title=Ritmos – Meta|publisher=sinic.gov.co|language=es|access-date=25 May 2016|archive-date=24 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160524083313/http://www.sinic.gov.co/SINIC/ColombiaCultural/ColCulturalBusca.aspx?AREID=3&SECID=8&IdDep=50&COLTEM=222|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sinic.gov.co/SINIC/ColombiaCultural/ColCulturalBusca.aspx?AREID=3&SECID=8&IdDep=85&COLTEM=222|title=Ritmos – Casanare|publisher=sinic.gov.co|language=es|access-date=25 May 2016|archive-date=24 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160524083348/http://www.sinic.gov.co/SINIC/ColombiaCultural/ColCulturalBusca.aspx?AREID=3&SECID=8&IdDep=85&COLTEM=222|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.territoriosonoro.org/CDM/tradicionales/ejes/visualizar/8|title=Músicas Llaneras|publisher=territoriosonoro.org|access-date=25 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150808030949/http://www.territoriosonoro.org/CDM/tradicionales/ejes/visualizar/8|archive-date=8 August 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The music of the Amazon region is strongly influenced by the indigenous religious practices. Some of the musical instruments used are the manguaré (a musical instrument of [[ceremonial]] type, consisting of a pair of large [[cylindrical drum]]s), the [[quena]] (melodic instrument), the [[rondador]], the [[conga]]s, [[bell]]s, and different types of flutes.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sinic.gov.co/SINIC/ColombiaCultural/ColCulturalBusca.aspx?AREID=3&SECID=8&IdDep=86&COLTEM=222|title=Ritmos – Putumayo|publisher=sinic.gov.co|language=es|access-date=25 May 2016|archive-date=24 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160524114856/http://www.sinic.gov.co/SINIC/ColombiaCultural/ColCulturalBusca.aspx?AREID=3&SECID=8&IdDep=86&COLTEM=222|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sinic.gov.co/SINIC/ColombiaCultural/ColCulturalBusca.aspx?AREID=3&SECID=8&IdDep=91&COLTEM=222|title=Ritmos – Amazonas|publisher=sinic.gov.co|language=es|access-date=25 May 2016|archive-date=24 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160524114935/http://www.sinic.gov.co/SINIC/ColombiaCultural/ColCulturalBusca.aspx?AREID=3&SECID=8&IdDep=91&COLTEM=222|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.territoriosonoro.org/CDM/tradicionales/ejes/visualizar/11|title=Músicas de Frontera|publisher=territoriosonoro.org|access-date=25 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150808023614/http://www.territoriosonoro.org/CDM/tradicionales/ejes/visualizar/11|archive-date=8 August 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The music of the [[Archipelago of San Andrés, Providencia and Santa Catalina]] is usually accompanied by a [[mandolin]], a [[Washtub bass|tub-bass]], a [[Jawbone (instrument)|jawbone]], a guitar and [[maraca]]s. Some popular archipelago rhythms are the [[Schottische]], the [[Calypso music|Calypso]], the [[Polka]] and the [[Mento]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.territoriosonoro.org/CDM/tradicionales/ejes/visualizar/1|title=Músicas Isleñas|publisher=territoriosonoro.org|access-date=25 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150808030939/http://www.territoriosonoro.org/CDM/tradicionales/ejes/visualizar/1|archive-date=8 August 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sinic.gov.co/SINIC/ColombiaCultural/ColCulturalBusca.aspx?AREID=3&SECID=8&IdDep=88&COLTEM=222|title=Ritmos – Archipelago of San Andrés, Providencia and Santa Catalina|publisher=sinic.gov.co|language=es|access-date=25 May 2016|archive-date=24 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160524084024/http://www.sinic.gov.co/SINIC/ColombiaCultural/ColCulturalBusca.aspx?AREID=3&SECID=8&IdDep=88&COLTEM=222|url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== Popular culture ===
{{Main|Theater of Colombia|Cinema of Colombia|Media of Colombia}}
[[File:Statue India Catalina FICCI.JPG|thumb|The [[Cartagena Film Festival]] is the oldest cinema event in Latin America. The central focus is on films from Ibero-America.<ref name="fiapf" />]]

Theater was introduced in Colombia during the [[Spanish colonization of the Americas|Spanish colonization]] in 1550 through [[zarzuela]] companies. Colombian theater is supported by the Ministry of Culture and a number of private and state owned organizations. The [[Theater of Colombia|Ibero-American Theater Festival of Bogotá]] is the cultural event of the highest importance in Colombia and one of the biggest theater festivals in the world.<ref name="Theater Festival">{{cite web|url=http://www.colombia.co/en/this-is-colombia/culture/art/six-surprising-facts-bogotas-ibero-american-theater-festival/|title=Six surprising facts about Bogota's Ibero-American Theater Festival|date=2 March 2016|publisher=colombia.co|access-date=17 November 2017|archive-date=17 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171117141147/http://www.colombia.co/en/this-is-colombia/culture/art/six-surprising-facts-bogotas-ibero-american-theater-festival/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Other important theater events are: The Festival of Puppet The Fanfare (Medellín), The Manizales Theater Festival, The Caribbean Theatre Festival (Santa Marta) and The Art Festival of Popular Culture "Cultural Invasion" (Bogotá).<ref name="Theatre in Colombia">{{cite web| url=http://www.iti-worldwide.org/amt/countries/p_COLOMBIA.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080821123228/http://www.iti-worldwide.org/amt/countries/p_COLOMBIA.html |archive-date=21 August 2008 |publisher=iti-worldwide.org |title=Main performing arts festivals – Theatre History|access-date=9 October 2013}}</ref><ref name="theatrical production">{{cite web|url=http://www.banrepcultural.org/blaavirtual/historia/colhoy/colo11.htm|publisher=banrepcultural.org|title=Theater of Colombia|language=es|access-date=9 October 2013|archive-date=20 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131020050211/http://www.banrepcultural.org/blaavirtual/historia/colhoy/colo11.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="teatro siglo XX">{{cite web|url=http://www.banrepcultural.org/revista-80|publisher=Revista Credencial Historia|author=Reyes, Carlos José|title=El teatro en Colombia en el siglo XX|language=es|access-date=22 May 2016|archive-date=22 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160522220735/http://www.banrepcultural.org/revista-80|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Although the [[Cinema of Colombia|Colombian cinema]] is young as an industry, more recently the film industry was growing with support from the Film Act passed in 2003.<ref name="the Film Act passed in 2003">{{cite web|url=http://www.secretariasenado.gov.co/senado/basedoc/ley_0814_2003.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402092726/http://www.secretariasenado.gov.co/senado/basedoc/ley_0814_2003.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2 April 2015|publisher=secretariasenado.gov.co|title=the Film Act passed in 2003|language=es|access-date=9 October 2013}}</ref> Many film festivals take place in Colombia, but the two most important are the [[Cartagena Film Festival]], which is the oldest film festival in Latin America, and the [[Bogotá Film Festival]].<ref name="fiapf">{{cite web |url=http://www.fiapf.org/intfilmfestivals_2016_sites02.asp |publisher=fiapf.org |title=Competitive specialised film festivals |access-date=23 May 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20161111113646/http://www.fiapf.org/intfilmfestivals_2016_sites02.asp |archive-date=11 November 2016}}</ref><ref name="film festivals">{{cite web|url=http://www.colombia.co/cultura/ocho-festivales-de-cine-imperdibles-en-colombia.html|publisher=colombia.co|title=Ocho festivales de cine imperdibles en Colombia|language=es|access-date=22 May 2016|archive-date=22 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160522201326/http://www.colombia.co/cultura/ocho-festivales-de-cine-imperdibles-en-colombia.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ficcifestival.com/internas.php?cod=1$$-1$$-qm4nNEHfJmY0tyUjxz05wAXG3C6fwm|publisher=ficcifestival.com|title=La Corporación Festival Internacional de Cine de Cartagena|language=es|access-date=22 May 2016|archive-date=22 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160522201249/http://www.ficcifestival.com/internas.php?cod=1$$-1$$-qm4nNEHfJmY0tyUjxz05wAXG3C6fwm|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Some important national circulation newspapers are ''[[El Tiempo (Colombia)|El Tiempo]]'' and ''[[El Espectador]]''. [[Television in Colombia]] has two privately owned TV networks and three state-owned TV networks with national coverage, as well as six regional TV networks and dozens of local TV stations. Private channels, [[RCN TV|RCN]] and [[Caracol Televisión|Caracol]] are the highest-rated. The regional channels and regional newspapers cover a department or more and its content is made in these particular areas.<ref name="Television in Colombia">{{cite web|url=http://www.banrepcultural.org/blaavirtual/exhibiciones/historia_tv/television_colombia.htm |publisher=banrepcultural.org |title=Television in Colombia |language=es |access-date=9 October 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150413231621/http://www.banrepcultural.org/blaavirtual/exhibiciones/historia_tv/television_colombia.htm |archive-date=13 April 2015 }}</ref><ref name="press">{{cite web |url=http://www.banrepcultural.org/un-papel-a-toda-prueba |publisher=banrepcultural.org |title=Un papel a toda prueba. 223 años de prensa diaria en Colombia |language=es |access-date=22 May 2016 |archive-date=22 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160522183614/http://www.banrepcultural.org/un-papel-a-toda-prueba |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="The press in Colombia">{{cite web|url=http://www.banrepcultural.org/blaavirtual/ayudadetareas/comunicacion/la_prensa|publisher=banrepcultural.org|title=La prensa en Colombia|language=es|access-date=22 May 2016|archive-date=22 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160522183517/http://www.banrepcultural.org/blaavirtual/ayudadetareas/comunicacion/la_prensa|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Colombia has three major national [[Radio in Colombia|radio networks]]: [[Radiodifusora Nacional de Colombia]], a state-run national radio; [[Caracol Radio]] and [[RCN Radio]], privately owned networks with hundreds of affiliates. There are other national networks, including [[Cadena Super]], [[Todelar]], and Colmundo. Many hundreds of radio stations are registered with the [[Ministry of Information Technologies and Communications (Colombia)|Ministry of Information Technologies and Communications]].<ref name="Radio in Colombia">{{cite web|url=http://www.banrepcultural.org/blaavirtual/ayudadetareas/comunicacion/la_radio_en_colombia|publisher=banrepcultural.org|title=Radio in Colombia|language=es|access-date=22 May 2016|archive-date=22 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160522190902/http://www.banrepcultural.org/blaavirtual/ayudadetareas/comunicacion/la_radio_en_colombia|url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== Cuisine ===
{{Main|Colombian cuisine}}
[[File:Comidas tipicas colombianas.jpg|thumb|Bandeja paisa (top) and Ajiaco (bottom) are two of the most traditional plates in the country.]]

Colombia's varied cuisine is influenced by its diverse fauna and flora as well as the cultural traditions of the ethnic groups. Colombian dishes and ingredients vary widely by region. Some of the most common ingredients are: cereals such as rice and maize; tubers such as potato and [[cassava]]; assorted [[legume]]s; meats, including beef, chicken, pork and goat; fish; and seafood.<ref name="Paseo de olla">{{cite web| url=http://www.mincultura.gov.co/Sitios/patrimonio/bibliotecas-de-cocinas/tomos/tomo10.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://www.mincultura.gov.co/Sitios/patrimonio/bibliotecas-de-cocinas/tomos/tomo10.pdf |archive-date=9 October 2022 |url-status=live |title=Paseo de olla. Recetas de las cocinas regionales de Colombia – Biblioteca básica de cocinas tradicionales de Colombia|language=es|access-date=6 July 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.mincultura.gov.co/Sitios/patrimonio/bibliotecas-de-cocinas/tomos/tomo09-2.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://www.mincultura.gov.co/Sitios/patrimonio/bibliotecas-de-cocinas/tomos/tomo09-2.pdf |archive-date=9 October 2022 |url-status=live |title=Food presentation|language=es|access-date=22 January 2017}}</ref> Colombia cuisine also features a variety of tropical fruits such as [[Physalis peruviana|cape gooseberry]], [[Acca sellowiana|feijoa]], [[Eugenia stipitata|arazá]], [[Pitaya|dragon fruit]], [[Purple mangosteen|mangostino]], [[Passiflora ligularis|granadilla]], [[papaya]], [[guava]], mora ([[blackberry]]), [[Solanum quitoense|lulo]], [[Annona muricata|soursop]] and [[passionfruit]].<ref name="Colombian cuisine">{{cite web| url=http://www.mincultura.gov.co/Sitios/patrimonio/bibliotecas-de-cocinas/tomos/tomo09.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://www.mincultura.gov.co/Sitios/patrimonio/bibliotecas-de-cocinas/tomos/tomo09.pdf |archive-date=9 October 2022 |url-status=live |title=Gran libro de la cocina colombiana – Biblioteca básica de cocinas tradicionales de Colombia|language=es|access-date=6 July 2016}}</ref> Colombia is one of the world's largest consumers of fruit juices.<ref>Singh, Gitanjali M., et al. "Global, regional, and national consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages, fruit juices, and milk: a systematic assessment of beverage intake in 187 countries." PLoS ONE 10.8 (2015): e0124845.</ref>

Among the most representative appetizers and soups are [[Tostones|patacones]] (fried green plantains), [[sancocho]] de gallina (chicken soup with root vegetables) and [[ajiaco]] (potato and corn soup). Representative snacks and breads are [[pandebono]], [[arepa]]s (corn cakes), [[aborrajado]]s (fried sweet plantains with cheese), [[torta]] de [[choclo]], [[empanada]]s and [[almojábana]]s. Representative main courses are [[bandeja paisa]], [[lechona tolimense]], [[Ternera a la llanera|mamona]], [[tamales]] and fish dishes (such as [[arroz de lisa]]), especially in coastal regions where [[kibbeh]], [[suero]], [[costeño cheese]] and [[carimañola]]s are also eaten. Representative side dishes are papas chorreadas (potatoes with cheese), remolachas rellenas con huevo duro (beets stuffed with [[hard-boiled egg]]) and [[coconut rice|arroz con coco]] (coconut rice).<ref name="Colombian cuisine" /><ref name="Paseo de olla" /> [[Organic food]] is a current trend in big cities, although in general across the country the fruits and veggies are very natural and fresh.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nielsen.com/co/es/insights/news/20151/habitos-consumidores-colombianos.html|title=Hábitos de los consumidores en la tendencia saludable|publisher=nielsen.com|language=es|access-date=24 March 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150831012250/http://www.nielsen.com/co/es/insights/news/20151/habitos-consumidores-colombianos.html|archive-date=31 August 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Colombian Food">{{cite web|url=http://southamericanfood.about.com/od/exploresouthamericanfood/tp/Colombian-Food.htm|publisher=southamericanfood.about.com|title=Colombian Food; A List of Traditional and Modern Colombian Recipes|access-date=30 October 2013|archive-date=2 November 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131102023313/http://southamericanfood.about.com/od/exploresouthamericanfood/tp/Colombian-Food.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Representative desserts are [[buñuelo]]s, [[natilla]]s, [[Maria Luisa cake]], [[bocadillo (dessert)|bocadillo]] made of guayaba (guava jelly), [[cocadas]] (coconut balls), casquitos de guayaba (candied guava peels), [[torta de nata]]s, [[oblea]]s, [[Crème caramel|flan]] de [[mango]], [[roscón]], [[milhoja]], [[manjar blanco]], dulce de [[feijoa]], dulce de [[Mountain papaya|papayuela]], [[torta]] de mojicón, and esponjado de [[curuba]]. Typical sauces (salsas) are [[hogao]] (tomato and onion sauce) and Colombian-style [[Ají (sauce)|ají]].<ref name="Colombian cuisine" /><ref name="Paseo de olla" />

Some representative beverages are [[Coffee production in Colombia|coffee]] (Tinto), [[champús]], [[cholado]], [[lulada]], [[avena (beverage)|avena]] colombiana, [[sugarcane]] juice, [[aguapanela]], [[aguardiente]], [[hot chocolate]] and fresh fruit juices (often made with water or milk).<ref name="Colombian cuisine" /><ref name="Paseo de olla" />

===Sports===
{{Main|Sport in Colombia}}
[[File:Rio 2016. Ciclismo BMX-BMX Cycling (29016608602).jpg|thumb|[[Mariana Pajón]] is a Colombian cyclist, two-time Olympic gold medalist and [[UCI BMX World Championships|BMX World Champion]].]]

[[Tejo (sport)|Tejo]] is Colombia's national sport and is a team sport that involves launching projectiles to hit a target.<ref name="Tejo-Colombia's national sport.">{{cite web| url=http://thecitypaperbogota.com/uncategorized/homepage-featured/tejo-most-muddy-sport/ |publisher=thecitypaperbogota.com |title=Tejo – Colombia's national sport|date=28 August 2013 |access-date=28 August 2013}}</ref> But of all sports in Colombia, [[Association football|football]] is the most popular. [[Colombia national football team|Colombia]] was the champion of the [[2001 Copa América]], in which they set a new record of being undefeated, conceding no goals and winning each match. Colombia has been awarded "[[FIFA World Rankings#Best Mover of the Year|mover of the year]]" twice.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20130521041140/http://www.fifa.com/mm/document/fifafacts/r&a-wr/71/25/61/152246-factsheet-topteamandthebestmoveroftheyear.pdf Top Team and the Best Mover of the Year]. FIFA</ref>

Colombia is a hub for [[Inline speed skating|roller skaters]]. The national team is a perennial powerhouse at the World Roller Speed Skating Championships.<ref name="Patinaje colombiano">{{cite web |url=http://www.elpais.com.co/elpais/deportes/noticias/patinaje-colombiano-ganador-mundo |title=Patinaje colombiano, el más ganador del mundo |publisher=elpais.com.co |language=es |access-date=9 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140326235134/http://www.elpais.com.co/elpais/deportes/noticias/patinaje-colombiano-ganador-mundo |archive-date=26 March 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Colombia has traditionally been very good in [[Cycle sport|cycling]] and a large number of Colombian cyclists have triumphed in major competitions of cycling.<ref name="Colombian cycling">{{cite web|url=http://www.antena2.com.co/noticias/momentos-historicos-del-ciclismo-colombiano-69593|title=Historical moments of the Colombian cycling|publisher=antena2.com.co|language=es|access-date=2 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140705225607/http://www.antena2.com.co/noticias/momentos-historicos-del-ciclismo-colombiano-69593|archive-date=5 July 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Baseball is popular in cities like [[Cartagena, Colombia|Cartagena]] and [[Barranquilla]]. Of those cities have come good players like: [[Orlando Cabrera]], [[Édgar Rentería]], who was champion of the [[World Series]] in [[1997 World Series|1997]] and [[2010 World Series|2010]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/2010/Irente0013352010.htm |title=The 2010 SF N World Series Batting Log for Edgar Renteria |publisher=Retrosheet |access-date=21 March 2011}}</ref> and others who have played in [[Major League Baseball]]. Colombia was [[Baseball World Cup|world amateur champion]] in 1947 and 1965.<ref name="béisbolglorias">{{cite web|url=http://blogs.eltiempo.com/playball/2010/03/26/recordando-a-nuestras-glorias-del-beisbol/|title=Recordando a nuestras glorias del béisbol|publisher=eltiempo.com|language=es|access-date=9 October 2013|archive-date=8 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140308015531/http://blogs.eltiempo.com/playball/2010/03/26/recordando-a-nuestras-glorias-del-beisbol/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

[[Boxing]] is one of the sports that has produced more world champions for Colombia.<ref name="History of boxing">{{cite web|url=http://boxeodecolombia.com/historia-del-boxeo-en-colombia/|title=History of boxing in Colombia|date=13 July 2011|publisher=boxeodecolombia.com|access-date=7 March 2014|language=es|archive-date=7 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140307230944/http://boxeodecolombia.com/historia-del-boxeo-en-colombia/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Boxing champions">{{cite web|url=http://boxeodecolombia.com/nuestros-campeones/|title=Boxing champions|publisher=boxeodecolombia.com|access-date=7 March 2014|language=es|archive-date=7 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140307230928/http://boxeodecolombia.com/nuestros-campeones/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
[[Motorsport]]s also occupies an important place in the sporting preferences of Colombians; [[Juan Pablo Montoya]] is a race car driver known for winning 7 Formula One events. Colombia also has excelled in sports such as [[UCI BMX World Championships|BMX]], [[judo]], [[Shooting sports|shooting sport]], [[taekwondo]], [[wrestling]], [[high diving]] and [[Sport of athletics|athletics]], also has a long tradition in [[Olympic weightlifting|weightlifting]] and [[bowling]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.semana.com/deportes/articulo/colombia-vive-esplendor-deportivo-inedito-en-su-historia/399243-3|title=Colombia vive esplendor deportivo inédito en su historia| date=18 August 2014 |publisher=semana.com|language=es|access-date=14 June 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.coc.org.co/about-us/office-premises/|title=History of the Colombian Olympic Committee.|publisher=[[Colombian Olympic Committee]]|language=es|access-date=14 June 2016|archive-date=21 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201021094018/http://www.coc.org.co/about-us/office-premises/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.reporterosasociados.com.co/2016/04/el-bolo-colombiano-ratifico-su-condicion-de-potencia-continental/|title=El bolo colombiano ratificó su condición de potencia continental |publisher=reporterosasociados.com.co|language=es|access-date=14 June 2016}}</ref>

== See also ==
{{Portal|Colombia}}
* [[Index of Colombia-related articles]]
* [[Outline of Colombia]]

== Notes ==
{{notelist}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Sister project links|voy=Colombia}}
<!----
 Please only list links of nation-wide relevance here. Consider adding other links to the "External links" section of the sub-articles listed.
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===General information===
* [https://www.britannica.com/place/Colombia Colombia] at [[Britannica.com]]
* {{Cite EB1911|wstitle=Colombia |volume=6 |last1=Lamoureux |first1=Andrew Jackson |author1-link=|last2=Edmundson |first2=George |author2-link=George Edmundson| pages=700–713 |short=1}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080705055204/http://ucblibraries.colorado.edu/govpubs/for/colombia.htm Colombia] at ''UCB Libraries GovPubs''
* [https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/colombia/ Colombia]. ''[[The World Factbook]]''. [[Central Intelligence Agency]].
* [http://www.ifs.du.edu/ifs/frm_CountryProfile.aspx?Country=CO Key Development Forecasts for Colombia] from [[International Futures]]
* [http://www.investincolombia.com.co/ Official investment portal]
* [http://www.colombia.travel/ Official Colombia Tourism Website]
* [https://archive.today/20130801024443/http://www.spanishincolombia.gov.co/ Study Spanish in Colombia]
* {{in lang|es}} [http://www.dane.gov.co/ National Administrative Department of Statistics]

===Government===
* {{in lang|es}} [https://web.archive.org/web/20180819182205/https://www.nomasfilas.gov.co/ Colombia Online Government website]

===Culture===
* {{in lang|es}} [http://www.mincultura.gov.co/ Ministry of Culture]

===Geography===
* {{in lang|es}} [http://www.parquesnacionales.gov.co/ National parks of Colombia]
* {{Wikiatlas|Colombia}}

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