Focus on Colombia
- Leading role in Andean community of Nations (ACN: Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru and Colombia), it’s also the second group the best integrated in the world after the Union European,
- Second Spanish-speaking population of the world
- Third economy of South America (except hydrocarbons)
- Important commercial partner in South America behind Brazil and Chile
- Significant growth of imports and exports
Agriculture in Colombia
Agriculture has been an important part of the Colombian economy since colonial times. With the establishment of the tobacco and coffee industries in the nineteenth century, agriculture's role in economic development was assured. Since then, agriculture has provided food both for domestic consumption and as a source of export revenue.
Territory and population
With 1 141 748 km² (twice the France size), Colombia enjoys a singular geographical situation. Having two oceanic facades (Atlantic and Pacific Ocean) and an access to the Amazon River, Colombia shares borders with Panama, Venezuela, Peru, Ecuador and Brazil. Columbia includes three types of climatic and geologic conditions: The climate varies greatly depending on location, altitude, and proximity to the sea. The southern section is rainy and cool, the central Andes are dry. The northern Andes are typically rainy and warm, with an average temperature of 18 C in Colombia. The climate is known to change drastically. Tropical rainforests exist just miles away from the snow covered peak. The mountains have a large effect on the temperatures of nearby areas. The snow line depends on location.
Colombia has the second richest ecosystem of the planet, sheltering more than 10 % of world animal and vegetable species. 46 % of the country is covered with Rain forests (about 40 million hectares). Colombian population is characterized by a marked cross-breeding. This country was colonized by successive waves of European immigrants, mainly Spanish, and by Africans, ex-slaves. This cross-breeding of Spanish, black slaves and Indians feeds a racial variety contributing to the human and cultural wealth of Columbia. Colombia is the most populated after Brazil and Mexico. According to the last official census, the population amounted to 35.9 million inhabitants in 1993, at more than 45 millions in 2005. About 40 % of the current population would be less than 18 years old. On top of that the country has an annual demographic growth of 1.7%.The downtown is filled with 8 million inhabitants Third highest capital of the world after La Paz (Bolivia) and Quito (Ecuador).Bogota (2600m) is the most important economical and political decisions center. Catholic religion is the main confession, very present in mind of Colombians and in their way of life. The values as family or marriage are very important.
