Introduction
Background
Colombia was one of the three countries that emerged from the collapse of Gran Colombia in 1830 (the others are Ecuador and Venezuela). A nearly five-decade long conflict between government forces and anti-government insurgent groups, principally the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) heavily funded by the drug trade, escalated during the 1990s. More than 31,000 former paramilitaries had demobilized by the end of 2006 and the United Self Defense Forces of Colombia as a formal organization had ceased to function. In the wake of the paramilitary demobilization, emerging criminal groups arose, whose members include some former paramilitaries. The insurgents lack the military or popular support necessary to overthrow the government, but continue attacks against civilians. Large areas of the countryside are under guerrilla influence or are contested by security forces. In November 2012, the Colombian Government started formal peace negotiations with the FARC aimed at reaching a definitive bilateral ceasefire and incorporating demobilized FARC members into mainstream society and politics. The Colombian Government has stepped up efforts to reassert government control throughout the country, and now has a presence in every one of its administrative departments. Despite decades of internal conflict and drug related security challenges, Colombia maintains relatively strong democratic institutions characterized by peaceful, transparent elections and the protection of civil liberties.
Geography
Location
Northern South America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Panama and Venezuela, and bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between Ecuador and Panama
Geographic coordinates
4 00 N, 72 00 W
Area (sq km)
total: 1,138,910 sq km
land: 1,038,700 sq km
water: 100,210 sq km
note: includes Isla de Malpelo, Roncador Cay, and Serrana Bank
Area - comparative (sq km)
slightly less than twice the size of Texas
Land boundaries (km)
total: 6,672 km
border countries: Brazil 1,790 km, Ecuador 708 km, Panama 339 km, Peru 1,494 km, Venezuela 2,341 km
Coastline (km)
3,208 km (Caribbean Sea 1,760 km, North Pacific Ocean 1,448 km)
Maritime claims
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation
Climate
tropical along coast and eastern plains; cooler in highlands
Terrain
flat coastal lowlands, central highlands, high Andes Mountains, eastern lowland plains (Llanos)
Elevation extremes (m)
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Pico Cristobal Colon 5,775 m
note: nearby Pico Simon Bolivar also has the same elevation
Natural resources
petroleum, natural gas, coal, iron ore, nickel, gold, copper, emeralds, hydropower
Land use (%)
arable land: 1.84%
permanent crops: 1.66%
other: 96.5% (2011)
Irrigated land (sq km)
10,870 sq km (2011)
Total renewable water resources (cu km)
2,132 cu km (2011)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural) ()
total: 12.65 cu km/yr (55%/4%/41%)
per capita: 308 cu m/yr (2010)
Natural hazards
highlands subject to volcanic eruptions; occasional earthquakes; periodic droughts
volcanism: Galeras (elev. 4,276 m) is one of Colombia's most active volcanoes, having erupted in 2009 and 2010 causing major evacuations; it has been deemed a Decade Volcano by the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior, worthy of study due to its explosive history and close proximity to human populations; Nevado del Ruiz (elev. 5,321 m), 129 km (80 mi) west of Bogota, erupted in 1985 producing lahars that killed 23,000 people; the volcano last erupted in 1991; additionally, after 500 years of dormancy, Nevado del Huila reawakened in 2007 and has experienced frequent eruptions since then; other historically active volcanoes include Cumbal, Dona Juana, Nevado del Tolima, and Purace
Environment - current issues
deforestation; soil and water quality damage from overuse of pesticides; air pollution, especially in Bogota, from vehicle emissions
Environment - international agreements
party to: Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea
Geography - note
only South American country with coastlines on both the North Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea
People and Society
Nationality
noun: Colombian(s)
adjective: Colombian
Ethnic groups (%)
mestizo 58%, white 20%, mulatto 14%, black 4%, mixed black-Amerindian 3%, Amerindian 1%
Languages (%)
Spanish (official)
Religions (%)
Roman Catholic 90%, other 10%
Demographic profile
Colombia is in the midst of a demographic transition resulting from steady declines in its fertility, mortality, and population growth rates. The birth rate has fallen from more than 6 children per woman in the 1960s to just above replacement level today as a result of increased literacy, family planning services, and urbanization. However, income inequality is among the worst in the world, and more than a third of the population lives below the poverty line.
Colombia experiences significant legal and illegal economic emigration and refugee flows. Large-scale labor emigration dates to the 1960s; Venezuela and the United States continue to be the main host countries. Colombia is the largest source of Latin American refugees in Latin America, nearly 400,000 of whom live primarily in Venezuela and Ecuador. Forced displacement remains prevalent because of violence among guerrillas, paramilitary groups, and Colombian security forces. Afro-Colombian and indigenous populations are disproportionately affected. A leading NGO estimates that 5.2 million people have been displaced since 1985, while the Colombian Government estimates 3.6 million since 2000. These estimates may undercount actual numbers because not all internally displaced persons are registered. Historically, Colombia also has one of the world's highest levels of forced disappearances. About 30,000 cases have been recorded over the last four decades - although the number is likely to be much higher - including human rights activists, trade unionists, Afro-Colombians, indigenous people, and farmers in rural conflict zones.
Population
46,245,297 (July 2014 est.) evolution and prospects (1950-2100)
Age structure (%)
0-14 years: 25.3% (male 5,998,645/female 5,720,229)
15-24 years: 18% (male 4,243,251/female 4,099,299)
25-54 years: 41.6% (male 9,515,723/female 9,720,894)
55-64 years: 8.3% (male 1,796,050/female 2,051,948)
65 years and over: 6.5% (male 1,293,258/female 1,806,000) (2014 est.)
Median age (years)
total: 28.9 years
male: 27.9 years
female: 29.9 years (2014 est.)
Population growth rate (%)
1.07% (2014 est.)
Birth rate (births/1,000 population)
16.73 births/1,000 population (2014 est.)
Death rate (deaths/1,000 population)
5.36 deaths/1,000 population (2014 est.)
Net migration rate (migrant(s)/1,000 population)
-0.65 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2014 est.)
Urbanization (%)
urban population: 75.3% of total population (2011)
rate of urbanization: 1.65% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
Major urban areas - population
BOGOTA (capital) 8.743 million; Medellin 3.694 million; Cali 2.453 million; Barranquilla 1.9 million; Bucaramanga 1.12 million; Cartagena 988,000 (2011)
Sex ratio (male(s)/female)
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 0.98 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.72 male(s)/female
total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2014 est.)
Maternal mortality rate (deaths/100,000 live births)
92 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)
Infant mortality rate (deaths/1,000 live births)
total: 15.02 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 18.22 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 11.62 deaths/1,000 live births (2014 est.)
Life expectancy at birth (years)
total population: 75.25 years
male: 72.08 years
female: 78.61 years (2014 est.)
Total fertility rate (children born/woman)
2.07 children born/woman (2014 est.)
Health expenditures (% of GDP)
6.1% of GDP (2011)
Physicians density (physicians/1,000 population)
1.47 physicians/1,000 population (2010)
Hospital bed density (beds/1,000 population)
1.4 beds/1,000 population (2011)
Drinking water source (% of population)
improved: urban: 96.9% of population
rural: 73.6% of population
total: 91.2% of population
unimproved: urban: 3.1% of population
rural: 26.4% of population
total: 8.8% of population (2012 est.)
Sanitation facility access (% of population)
improved: urban: 84.9% of population
rural: 65.7% of population
total: 80.2% of population
unimproved: urban: 15.1% of population
rural: 34.3% of population
total: 19.8% of population (2012 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate (%)
0.5% (2012 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS
146,500 (2012 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths
6,500 (2012 est.)
Major infectious diseases
degree of risk: high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea
vectorborne diseases: dengue fever, malaria, and yellow fever (2013)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate (%)
17.3% (2008)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight (%)
3.4% (2010)
Education expenditures (% of GDP)
4.4% of GDP (2012)
Literacy (%)
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 93.6%
male: 93.5%
female: 93.7% (2011 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) (years)
total: 13 years
male: 13 years
female: 14 years (2012)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24 (%)
total: 21.9%
male: 17%
female: 28.9% (2011)
Government
Country name
conventional long form: Republic of Colombia
conventional short form: Colombia
local long form: Republica de Colombia
local short form: Colombia
Government type
republic; executive branch dominates government structure
Capital
name: Bogota
geographic coordinates: 4 36 N, 74 05 W
time difference: UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions
32 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento) and 1 capital district* (distrito capital); Amazonas, Antioquia, Arauca, Atlantico, Bogota*, Bolivar, Boyaca, Caldas, Caqueta, Casanare, Cauca, Cesar, Choco, Cordoba, Cundinamarca, Guainia, Guaviare, Huila, La Guajira, Magdalena, Meta, Narino, Norte de Santander, Putumayo, Quindio, Risaralda, Archipielago de San Andres, Providencia y Santa Catalina (colloquially San Andres y Providencia), Santander, Sucre, Tolima, Valle del Cauca, Vaupes, Vichada
Independence
20 July 1810 (from Spain)
National holiday
Independence Day, 20 July (1810)
Constitution
several previous; latest promulgated 5 July 1991; amended many times, last in 2011 (2013)
Legal system
civil law system influenced by the Spanish and French civil codes
International law organization participation
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch
chief of state: President Juan Manuel SANTOS Calderon (since 7 August 2010); Vice President Angelino GARZON (since 7 August 2010); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government
head of government: President Juan Manuel SANTOS Calderon (since 7 August 2010); Vice President Angelino GARZON (since 7 August 2010)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president
elections: president and vice president elected by popular vote for a four-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 30 May 2010 with a runoff election 20 June 2010 (next to be held on 25 May 2014)
election results: Juan Manuel SANTOS Calderon elected president in runoff election; percent of vote - Juan Manuel SANTOS Calderon 69.06%, Antanas MOCKUS 27.52%
Legislative branch
bicameral Congress or Congreso consists of the Senate or Senado (102 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) and the Chamber of Representatives or Camara de Representantes (166 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)
elections: Senate - last held on 9 March 2014 (next to be held in March 2018); Chamber of Representatives - last held on 9 March 2014 (next to be held in March 2018)
election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - U Party 21, PC 19, CD 19, PL 17, CR 9, PDA 5, Green Party 5, other parties 7; Chamber of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - U Party 39, PL 37, PC 27, CR 16, CD 12, Green Party 6, PDA 3, other parties 26
Judicial branch
highest court(s): Supreme Court of Justice or Corte Suprema de Justicia (consists of the Civil-Agrarian and Labor Chambers each with 7 judges, and the Penal Chamber with 9 judges); Constitutional Court (consists of 9 magistrates); Council of State (consists of 27 magistrates)
judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court judges appointed by the Congress from candidates submitted by the president; judges appointed for life; Constitutional Court magistrates - 3 nominated by the president, 3 by the Supreme Court, and 3 elected by the Senate; judges elected for individual 2-8 year terms
subordinate courts: Superior Tribunals (appellate courts for each of the judicial districts); regional courts; civil municipal courts; Superior Military Tribunal; first instance administrative courts
Political parties and leaders
Alternative Democratic Pole or PDA [Clara LOPEZ]
Conservative Party or PC [Omar YEPES Alzate]
Democratic Center Party or CD [Alvaro URIBE Velez]
Green Party [Alfonso PRADA]
Liberal Party or PL [Simon GAVIRIA Munoz]
National Integration Party or PIN [Angel ALIRIO Moreno]
Radical Change or CR [Carlos Fernando GALAN]
Social National Unity Party or U Party [Sergio Diaz GANADOS]
note: Colombia has seven major political parties, and numerous smaller movements
Political pressure groups and leaders
Central Union of Workers or CUT
Colombian Confederation of Workers or CTC
General Confederation of Workers or CGT
National Liberation Army or ELN
Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia or FARC
note: FARC and ELN are the two largest insurgent groups active in Colombia
International organization participation
BCIE, BIS, CAN, Caricom (observer), CD, CDB, CELAC, FAO, G-3, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAES, LAIA, Mercosur (associate), MIGA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, Pacific Alliance, PCA, UN, UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNSC (temporary), UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Luis Carlos VILLEGAS Echeverri (since 3 December 2013)
chancery: 2118 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 387-8338
FAX: [1] (202) 232-8643
consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Beverly Hills (CA), Boston, Chicago, Houston, Miami, New York, San Francisco, San Juan (Puerto Rico)
consulate(s): Newark (NJ)
Diplomatic representation from the US
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Benjamin ZIFF
embassy: Calle 24 Bis No. 48-50, Bogota, D.C.
mailing address: Carrera 45 No. 24B-27, Bogota, D.C.
telephone: [57] (1) 275-2000
FAX: [57] (1) 275-4600
Flag description
three horizontal bands of yellow (top, double-width), blue, and red; the flag retains the three main colors of the banner of Gran Colombia, the short-lived South American republic that broke up in 1830; various interpretations of the colors exist and include: yellow for the gold in Colombia's land, blue for the seas on its shores, and red for the blood spilled in attaining freedom; alternatively, the colors have been described as representing more elemental concepts such as sovereignty and justice (yellow), loyalty and vigilance (blue), and valor and generosity (red); or simply the principles of liberty, equality, and fraternity
note: similar to the flag of Ecuador, which is longer and bears the Ecuadorian coat of arms superimposed in the center
National symbol(s)
Andean condor
National anthem
name: "Himno Nacional de la Republica de Colombia" (National Anthem of the Republic of Colombia)
lyrics/music: Rafael NUNEZ/Oreste SINDICI
note: adopted 1920; the anthem was created from an inspirational poem written by President Rafael NUNEZ
Economy
Economy - overview
Colombia's consistently sound economic policies and aggressive promotion of free trade agreements in recent years have bolstered its ability to weather external shocks. Real GDP has grown more than 4% per year for the past three years, continuing almost a decade of strong economic performance. All three major ratings agencies have upgraded Colombia's government debt to investment grade. Nevertheless, Colombia depends heavily on energy and mining exports, making it vulnerable to a drop in commodity prices. Colombia is the world's fourth largest coal exporter and Latin America’s fourth largest oil producer. Economic development is stymied by inadequate infrastructure and an uncertain security situation. Moreover, the unemployment rate of 9.7% in 2013 is still one of Latin America's highest. The SANTOS Administration's foreign policy has focused on bolstering Colombia's commercial ties and boosting investment at home. Colombia has signed or is negotiating Free Trade Agreements (FTA) with more than a dozen countries; the US-Colombia FTA went into force on May 2012. Colombia is also a founding member of the Pacific Alliance - a regional grouping formed in 2012 by Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Peru to promote regional trade and economic integration. In 2013, Colombia began its ascension process to the OECD. The annual level of foreign direct investment - notably in the oil and gas sectors - reached a record high of $16.8 billion in 2013, an increase of 7% over 2012. Inequality, poverty, and narcotrafficking remain significant challenges, and Colombia's infrastructure requires major improvements to sustain economic expansion.
GDP (purchasing power parity)
$526.5 billion (2013 est.)
$505.2 billion (2012 est.)
$484.9 billion (2011 est.)
note: data are in 2013 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate)
$369.2 billion (2013 est.)
GDP - real growth rate (%)
4.2% (2013 est.)
4.2% (2012 est.)
6.6% (2011 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP)
$11,100 (2013 est.)
$10,800 (2012 est.)
$10,500 (2011 est.)
note: data are in 2013 US dollars
GDP - composition, by sector of origin (%)
agriculture: 6.6%
industry: 37.8%
services: 55.6% (2013 est.)
Labor force
23.75 million (2013 est.)
Labor force - by occupation (%)
agriculture: 17%
industry: 21%
services: 62% (2011 est.)
Unemployment rate (%)
9.7% (2013 est.)
10.4% (2012 est.)
Population below poverty line (%)
32.7% (2012 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share (%)
lowest 10%: 0.9%
highest 10%: 44.4% (2010 est.)
Distribution of family income - Gini index
55.9 (2010)
56.9 (1996)
Budget
revenues: $107.4 billion
expenditures: $106 billion (2013 est.)
Taxes and other revenues (% of GDP)
29.1% of GDP (2012 est.)
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-) (% of GDP)
0.4% of GDP (2012 est.)
Public debt (% of GDP)
39.6% of GDP (2013 est.)
40.5% of GDP (2012 est.)
note: data cover general government debt, and includes debt instruments issued (or owned) by government entities other than the treasury; the data include treasury debt held by foreign entities; the data include debt issued by subnational entities
Inflation rate (consumer prices) (%)
2.2% (2013 est.)
3.4% (2011 est.)
Central bank discount rate (%)
4.75% (31 December 2011)
5% (31 December 2010)
Commercial bank prime lending rate (%)
11% (31 December 2013 est.)
$NA (31 December 2012 est.)
Stock of narrow money
$42.28 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
$41.7 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
Stock of broad money
$163.2 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
$153.1 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
Stock of domestic credit
$192.6 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
$180.7 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
Market value of publicly traded shares
$262.1 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
$NA (31 December 2011)
$208.5 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
Agriculture - products
coffee, cut flowers, bananas, rice, tobacco, corn, sugarcane, cocoa beans, oilseed, vegetables; shrimp; forest products
Industries
textiles, food processing, oil, clothing and footwear, beverages, chemicals, cement; gold, coal, emeralds
Industrial production growth rate (%)
2.5% (2013 est.)
Current account balance
-$11.02 billion (2013 est.)
-$12.17 billion (2012 est.)
Exports
$58.7 billion (2013 est.)
$59.85 billion (2012 est.)
Exports - commodities (%)
petroleum, coal, emeralds, coffee, nickel, cut flowers, bananas, apparel
Exports - partners (%)
US 36.6%, China 5.5%, Spain 4.8%, Panama 4.7%, Venezuela 4.4%, Netherlands 4.1% (2012)
Imports
$53.5 billion (2013 est.)
$54.64 billion (2012 est.)
Imports - commodities (%)
industrial equipment, transportation equipment, consumer goods, chemicals, paper products, fuels, electricity
Imports - partners (%)
US 24.2%, China 16.3%, Mexico 10.9%, Brazil 4.8% (2012)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
$43.74 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
$37 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
External debt ($)
$85.83 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
$80.72 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home
$128.1 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
$111.7 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad
$33.7 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
$31.65 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
Exchange rates
Currency converter
Colombian pesos (COP) per US dollar -
1,865.8 (2013 est.)
1,798 (2012 est.)
1,898.6 (2010 est.)
2,157.6 (2009)
2,243.6 (2008)
Fiscal year
calendar year
Energy
Electricity - production (kWh)
61.82 billion kWh (2011 est.)
Electricity - consumption (kWh)
45.35 billion kWh (2010 est.)
Electricity - exports (kWh)
1.294 billion kWh (2011 est.)
Electricity - imports (kWh)
8.22 billion kWh (2011 est.)
Electricity - installed generating capacity (kW)
13.54 million kW (2010 est.)
Electricity - from fossil fuels (% of total installed capacity)
32.9% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
Electricity - from nuclear fuels (% of total installed capacity)
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants (% of total installed capacity)
66.6% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
Electricity - from other renewable sources (% of total installed capacity)
0.4% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
Crude oil - production (bbl/day)
969,100 bbl/day (2012 est.)
Crude oil - exports (bbl/day)
777,900 bbl/day (2009)
Crude oil - imports (bbl/day)
10 bbl/day (2011 est.)
Crude oil - proved reserves (bbl)
2.2 billion bbl (1 January 2013 est.)
Refined petroleum products - production (bbl/day)
313,100 bbl/day (2010 est.)
Refined petroleum products - consumption (bbl/day)
287,000 bbl/day (2011 est.)
Refined petroleum products - exports (bbl/day)
92,410 bbl/day (2010 est.)
Refined petroleum products - imports (bbl/day)
49,790 bbl/day (2010 est.)
Natural gas - production (cu m)
10.95 billion cu m (2011 est.)
Natural gas - consumption (cu m)
9.08 billion cu m (2010 est.)
Natural gas - exports (cu m)
2.11 billion cu m (2011 est.)
Natural gas - imports (cu m)
40,290 cu m (2011 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves (cu m)
169.9 billion cu m (1 January 2013 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy (Mt)
71.15 million Mt (2011 est.)
Communications
Telephones - main lines in use
6.291 million (2012)
Telephones - mobile cellular
49.066 million (2012)
Telephone system
general assessment: modern system in many respects with a nationwide microwave radio relay system, a domestic satellite system with 41 earth stations, and a fiber-optic network linking 50 cities; telecommunications sector liberalized during the 1990s; multiple providers of both fixed-line and mobile-cellular services
domestic: fixed-line connections stand at about 15 per 100 persons; mobile cellular telephone subscribership is about 100 per 100 persons; competition among cellular service providers is resulting in falling local and international calling rates and contributing to the steep decline in the market share of fixed line services
international: country code - 57; multiple submarine cable systems provide links to the US, parts of the Caribbean, and Central and South America; satellite earth stations - 10 (6 Intelsat, 1 Inmarsat, 3 fully digitalized international switching centers) (2011)
Broadcast media
combination of state-owned and privately owned broadcast media provide service; more than 500 radio stations and many national, regional, and local TV stations (2007)
Internet country code
.co
Internet hosts
4.41 million (2012)
Internet users
22.538 million (2009)
Transportation
Airports
836 (2013)
Airports - with paved runways
total: 121
over 3,047 m: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 9
1,524 to 2,437 m: 39
914 to 1,523 m: 53
under 914 m: 18 (2013)
Airports - with unpaved runways
total: 715
over 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 25
914 to 1,523 m: 201
under 914 m: 488 (2013)
Heliports
3 (2013)
Pipelines (km)
gas 4,991 km; oil 6,796 km; refined products 3,429 km (2013)
Railways (km)
total: 874 km
standard gauge: 150 km 1.435-m gauge
narrow gauge: 498 km 0.950-m gauge; 226 km 0.914-m gauge (2008)
Roadways (km)
total: 141,374 km (2010)
Waterways (km)
24,725 km (18,300 km navigable; the most important waterway, the River Magdalena, of which 1,488 km is navigable, is dredged regularly to ensure the safe passage of cargo vessels and container barges) (2012)
Merchant marine
total: 12
by type: cargo 9, chemical tanker 1, petroleum tanker 2
registered in other countries: 4 (Antigua and Barbuda 1, Panama 2, Portugal 1) (2010)
Ports and terminals
major seaport(s): Atlantic Ocean (Caribbean) - Cartagena, Santa Marta, Turbo; Pacific Ocean - Buenaventura
river port(s): Barranquilla (Rio Magdalena)
oil/gas terminal(s): Covenas offshore terminal
dry bulk cargo port(s): Puerto Bolivar (coal)
container port(s) (TEUs): Cartagena (1,853,342)
Military
Military branches
National Army (Ejercito Nacional), Republic of Colombia Navy (Armada Republica de Colombia, ARC, includes Naval Aviation, Naval Infantry (Infanteria de Marina, IM), and Coast Guard), Colombian Air Force (Fuerza Aerea de Colombia, FAC) (2012)
Military service age and obligation (years of age)
18-24 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service; service obligation is 18 months (2012)
Manpower available for military service
males age 16-49: 11,692,647
females age 16-49: 11,727,625 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service
males age 16-49: 9,150,400
females age 16-49: 9,861,760 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually
male: 430,634
female: 413,974 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures (% of GDP)
3.28% of GDP (2012)
3.06% of GDP (2011)
3.28% of GDP (2010)
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international
in December 2007, ICJ allocated San Andres, Providencia, and Santa Catalina islands to Colombia under 1928 Treaty but did not rule on 82 degrees W meridian as maritime boundary with Nicaragua; managed dispute with Venezuela over maritime boundary and Venezuelan-administered Los Monjes Islands near the Gulf of Venezuela; Colombian-organized illegal narcotics, guerrilla, and paramilitary activities penetrate all neighboring borders and have caused Colombian citizens to flee mostly into neighboring countries; Colombia, Honduras, Nicaragua, Jamaica, and the US assert various claims to Bajo Nuevo and Serranilla Bank
Refugees and internally displaced persons
IDPs: 5.5 - 5.7 million (conflict between government and illegal armed groups and drug traffickers since 1985; about 300,000 new IDPs each year since 2000) (2013)
stateless persons: 12 (2012)
Illicit drugs
illicit producer of coca, opium poppy, and cannabis; world's leading coca cultivator with 83,000 hectares in coca cultivation in 2011, a 17% decrease over 2010, producing a potential of 195 mt of pure cocaine; the world's largest producer of coca derivatives; supplies cocaine to nearly all of the US market and the great majority of other international drug markets; in 2012, aerial eradication dispensed herbicide to treat over 100,549 hectares combined with manual eradication of 30,486 hectares; a significant portion of narcotics proceeds are either laundered or invested in Colombia through the black market peso exchange; important supplier of heroin to the US market; opium poppy cultivation is estimated to have fallen to 1,100 hectares in 2009 while pure heroin production declined to 2.1 mt; most Colombian heroin is destined for the US market (2013)
Largest cities of Colombia
These are the 50 largest cities of Colombia ordered based on their number of inhabitants.
| # | City | Population |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bogotá | 7,102,602 |
| 2 | Cali | 2,392,897 |
| 3 | Medellín | 2,000,001 |
| 4 | Barranquilla | 1,380,437 |
| 5 | Cartagena | 952,036 |
| 6 | Cúcuta | 721,406 |
| 7 | Bucaramanga | 571,827 |
| 8 | Pereira | 440,123 |
| 9 | Santa Marta | 431,788 |
| 10 | Ibagué | 421,689 |
| 11 | Bello | 392,945 |
| 12 | Pasto | 382,242 |
| 13 | Manizales | 357,819 |
| 14 | Neiva | 352,859 |
| 15 | Soledad | 342,562 |
| 16 | Villavicencio | 321,721 |
| 17 | Armenia | 315,332 |
| 18 | Soacha | 313,950 |
| 19 | Valledupar | 308,242 |
| 20 | Itagüí | 281,858 |
| 21 | Montería | 272,424 |
| 22 | Sincelejo | 261,190 |
| 23 | Floridablanca | 252,271 |
| 24 | Palmira | 247,991 |
| 25 | Buenaventura | 240,391 |
| 26 | Barrancabermeja | 191,406 |
| 27 | Dos Quebradas | 179,586 |
| 28 | Tuluá | 165,504 |
| 29 | Envigado | 163,010 |
| 30 | Cartago | 134,829 |
| 31 | Maicao | 130,351 |
| 32 | Florencia | 130,339 |
| 33 | Girardot | 130,292 |
| 34 | Sogamoso | 126,553 |
| 35 | Buga | 118,006 |
| 36 | Tunja | 117,480 |
| 37 | Girón | 108,468 |
| 38 | Malambo | 101,536 |
| 39 | Magangué | 100,315 |
| 40 | Facatativá | 94,613 |
| 41 | Ríohacha | 92,433 |
| 42 | Duitama | 92,041 |
| 43 | Zipaquirá | 91,237 |
| 44 | Fusagasuga | 88,822 |
| 45 | Ciénaga | 88,313 |
| 46 | Tumaco | 86,714 |
| 47 | Apartadó | 86,439 |
| 48 | Piedecuesta | 86,388 |
| 49 | Ocaña | 83,513 |
| 50 | La Dorada | 81,951 |