Colombia Facts

by countryaah · Published June 3, 2019 · Updated April 25, 2020

Colombia, state of northwestern South America; 1.1 million km², 49.6 million residents (2019).The country extends almost 1,800 km from north to south and 1 260 km from east to west. The capital is Bogotá.

Country facts

Republic of Colombia / Republic of Colombia
Country abbreviation: CO
Area: 1.1 million km²
Population (2019): 49.6 million residents
Capital: Bogotá
Main language: Spanish
State: Republic
Head of State and Head of Government: Iván Duque (President)
Per capita GDP (2018): US $ 6,651
GNI per capita (2018): US $ 6,190
Currency unit: 1 peso = 100 centavos
Currency code: COP
Country number (telephony): 57
Internet domain name: co
Time difference compared to Sweden: −6
National Day: July 20 (Independence Day, 1810)

Nature

Land use: forest (22%), agricultural land (6%), other (72%)
Highest mountain: Cristobal Colón (5,775 m asl)

Population

Population density (2019): 45 residents per km²
Natural population growth (2019): 1.0%; birth number 16 ‰, death number 6 ‰
Age structure (2019): 0-14 years (23%), 15-64 (68%), 65- (9%)
Life expectancy (2019): men 73 years, women 79 years
Infant mortality (2019): 14 per 1,000 live births
Population forecast 2050: 56 million residents
HDI (2017): 0.747 (place 90 of 189)
Urbanization rate (2019): 77%
Most populous cities (2017): Bogotá (8.1 million residents), Medellín (2.5 million), Cali (2.4 million)

Business

Industry’s contribution to GDP (2017): agriculture (7%), industry (31%), service (62%)
Exports (2017): US $ 39,480 million
Main export products: oil, coffee, nickel
Main exporting countries: USA, Panama, China
Imports (2017): US $ 44,240 million
Main import products: machinery, transport equipment, chemical products
Main importing countries: USA, China, Mexico
Railway network (2015): 2 140 km

Colombia’s western part is penetrated by the Andes with high, snow-capped peaks and cool plateaus, while the upper, warm swamps of the upper Amazon and Orinoco rivers fill its eastern and southeastern parts. Colombia is the only country in South America that has longer coastal distances along both the Pacific and the Caribbean.

The current constitution was adopted in 1991, and it defines Colombia as a federal republic. The president, who is both head of state and government with far-reaching powers, is elected for a four-year term.

Agriculture is the most important industry with coffee as the dominant crop, but the industry and the service sector have developed strongly. The country has large natural resources, including oil and coal. More recently, oil, coal and nickel have been the backbone of the country’s exports, which has meant that the country has been vulnerable to fluctuating world market prices. Illegal drug trafficking has long been a problem for the country.