Country Information on Colombia

Terrain The distinguishing topographical feature of Colombia is the Andes mountain chain. The Andes are situated in the central and western parts of the country and extend north-south across almost the entire length of Colombia. The Andes consist of three extensive parallel ranges. East of the Andes there are tropical lowlands, sparsely populated and only partly explored. The south of this region is called selvas (rain forests). It is covered with jungle and drains south-east into the Amazon River basin. Climate Almost all of Colombia is situated in a hot climatic zone. The low-lying regions along the coast and the deep valleys of the Río Patía and the Río Magdalena have high temperatures throughout the year, with annual average temperatures of 24° to 27° C. Above about 3,000 m is the climatic zone ranging from cool to cold, where temperatures are between -18 and +13°C. Rainy seasons and dry seasons alternate with each other every three months. The Pacific Coast has a high precipitation rate. Fauna/Flora Mangroves and coconut palms grow along the Caribbean coast. The country's forest regions contain such commercially utilizable trees as mahogany, oak, walnut, cedar, pine, and several varieties of balsa trees. Tropical plants also yield rubber, chicle, cinchona, vanilla, sarsaparilla, ginger, gum copal, ipecac, tonka beans, and castor oil. Among the wildlife are the larger South American mammals, such as jaguars, pumas, tapirs, peccaries, anteaters, sloths, armadillos, and several species of monkey and red deer. Caymans, once numerous along the principal rivers, have been intensively hunted and are becoming scarce. Many varieties of snakes live in the tropical regions. Birdlife includes condors, vultures, toucans, parrots, cockatoos, cranes, storks, and humming birds. Colombia has some fertile low-lying plains; however, only 5% of the country's total area are used for agriculture. Exhausted soils and erosion are the result of slash-and-burn, which causes problems in agriculture. History/Politics The Chibcha people (or "Muisca", as they called themselves) developed the best-known pre-Columbian indigenous culture in Colombia. The Muisca settled in the north of present-day Colombia and in Panama and were well-known for their outstanding agricultural and mining practices. A number of Spanish conquistadores subjugated the Muisca and established the first settlement of Europeans on the American mainland in Darién in 1510. In 1813, the Viceroy of New Granada declared independence from Spain. Full independence was gained in 1819, when the Congress of Angostura proclaimed the state of Gran Colombia, which comprised former New Granada and today's Panama, Venezuela, and Ecuador. The history of the country since then has been largely a record of the - frequently bloody - struggle of liberal and conservative elements for political power. Arguments about political and social questions often centred on property, judicial status, and the privileges of the Catholic Church. From 1876 to 1930, the Conservatives maintained control. The period after World War II saw a severe political crisis, resulting from the increasing antagonism between the liberal and the conservative camp. During the 1960s, harsh social conditions in Colombia were a breeding ground for guerrilla groups that have been dominating the political scene ever since. In February 1998, the government signed a preliminary peace treaty with the country's second largest guerrilla organization. In this treaty both sides agreed to resume peace talks and to elaborate a long-term peace plan in June 1998 - after the election of a new parliament and a new president. The largest guerrilla movement, however, the Revolutionary Forces of Colombia (FARC), refused to negotiate with President Samper. In the parliamentary elections in March 1998, the Liberal Party emerged as the leading party, but could not gain absolute majority. Andres Pastrana won the election to succeed Samper as president in June 1998. Economy 27% of the Colombian work force engage in agriculture, forestry, and fishing, with another 27% working in manufacturing and mining. The remainder are employed in the services trade. Despite rapid industrial growth in the last few decades Colombia is primarily an agricultural country, with the economy traditionally depending on coffee. New oil reserves discovered in the mid-nineties east of Bogotá are expected to provide Colombia with energy well into the 21st century. The country is wealthy in coal, it is South America's leading gold producer, it has the largest platinum deposits in the world, and about one half of the world's emerald deposits. Culture Earthenware is the best preserved of the remnants of pre-Columbian cultures. First produced in Colombia or Ecuador, they are presumed to have replaced baskets and gourds. Above all pots and clay objects modelled by hand and pressed into forms were made. They were decorated with carved-in ornaments, or with cut or pressed- in reliefs. In addition, several painting and polishing techniques were known. Although multicoloured ceramics exist, most of the earthenware is painted in two colours or untreated. Goldwork used to be one of the most important art forms in Colombia. Distinguished Colombian writers include the 19th-century novelist Jorge Isaacs, the 20th-century poet Germán Pardó García, and above all the 20th-century novelist and Nobel Prize winner Gabriel García Márquez. Colombia has a rich tradition of folk music and dance, most of which reveals African influences. The instruments which are used can be traced back to the Native Indians. The bambuco is the national dance.