LocationNorthwest South America.
Area1,141,748 sq km (440,831 sq miles).
Population45 million (2008 estimate).
Population Density39.4 per sq km.
CapitalBogotá.
Population: 7.1 million (2007 estimate).
GovernmentRepublic. Colombia declared its independence from Spain in 1810; however, it was proclaimed the Republic of Gran Colombia in 1819.
LanguageSpanish is the official language. Local dialects and some English, French, German and Italian are also spoken.
ReligionChristianity, with
90% Roman Catholic; small Protestant and Jewish minorities.
TimeGMT - 5.
ElectricityMostly 110 volts AC, 60Hz. American-style two-pin plugs.
Head of StatePresident Álvaro Uribe since 2002.
Recent HistoryPresident Uribe comfortably won a second four-year term in the May 2006 presidential elections, following constitutional change allowing him to stand. The pro-US, right-leaning president has overseen a dramatic reduction in murder and kidnapping rates. His hard-line stance against left-wing guerillas and right-wing paramilitaries has also seen positive results. In 2008, the biggest guerrilla group FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia) was weakened by the death of several leaders: some killed in military raids, and others turned on by their own men in return for a state reward.
TelephoneCountry code: 57. Most public telephones take phone cards, which can be bought in many shops and kiosks.
Mobile TelephoneRoaming agreements exist with a few international mobile phone companies. Coverage is limited to urban areas.
InternetThere are Internet cafes in most towns and cities.
MediaFor many years Colombia was a dangerous place for journalists who faced intimidation by drug traffickers, guerrillas and paramilitary groups. In the 1990s, over 120 journalists were killed, many for investigating drug trafficking and corruption.
PostThe postal service is not reliable, and travelers are advised to use couriers if sending important documents or packages. There are no traditional post offices, but hotels in major cities offer a postal service.
Press• Spanish dailies include
El Tiempo,
El Espacio,
El Nuevo Siglo and
Vanguardia Liberal.Radio• There are hundreds of stations.
• The main networks are state-run
Radio Nacional de Colombia,
Cadena Super (including
Radio Super and
Super Stereo FM),
Caracol and
Radio Cadena Nacional (
RCN Radio).
Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2009-December 2010 period.
2009
1 Jan New Year's Day.
6 Jan* Epiphany.
19 Mar* St Joseph's Day.
9 Apr Maundy Thursday.
10 Apr Good Friday.
1 May Labor Day.
21 May* Ascension.
11 Jun* Corpus Christi.
30 Jun* Sagrado Corazon (Sacred Heart).
3 Jul* St Peter and St Paul.
20 Jul Independence Day.
7 Aug Battle of Boyacá.
15 Aug* Assumption.
12 Oct* Columbus Day.
1 Nov* All Saints' Day.
11 Nov* Independence of Cartagena City.
8 Dec Immaculate Conception.
25 Dec Christmas Day.
2010
1 Jan New Year's Day.
6 Jan* Epiphany.
19 Mar* St Joseph's Day.
1 Apr Maundy Thursday.
2 Apr Good Friday.
1 May Labor Day.
13 May* Ascension.
3 Jun* Corpus Christi.
30 Jun* Sagrado Corazon (Sacred Heart).
3 Jul* St Peter and St Paul.
20 Jul Independence Day.
7 Aug Battle of Boyacá.
15 Aug* Assumption.
11 Oct* Columbus Day.
1 Nov* All Saints' Day.
11 Nov* Independence of Cartagena City.
8 Dec Immaculate Conception.
25 Dec Christmas Day.
Note* When they do not fall on a Monday, these holidays are observed the following Monday.
Contact Information:Tourism Promotion Fund of ColombiaCalle 69, No 11-16, Bogotá, Colombia
Tel: (1) 212 6315.
Website:
www.turismocolombia.com Colombian Consulate in the UK3rd Floor, 35 Portland Place, London W1B 1AE, UK
Tel: (020) 7637 9893.
Website:
www.colombianconsulate.co.ukOpening hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1330 (personal callers); 1500-1700 (telephone enquiries).
Embassy of the Republic of Colombia in the USA2118 Leroy Place, NW, Washington, DC 20008, USA
Tel: (202) 387 8338.
Website:
www.colombiaemb.org
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