Republic of ColombiaThe Republic of Colombia is a large country full of contrasts and we will here cover a wide range of information that might interest you in your research or while planning a trip.
Practical InformationEspecially if you're thinking of staying in the Republic of Colombia longer than the 2 month (+2 extension) tourist visa allows, you can visit the local embassy or consulate back home (if you're in the U.S.).You may also be interested in jobs in Colombia. History, Government & MoneyColombian history is complex and unfortunately, filled with violence ranging from what happened to Colombian gold and indigenous people under the conquistadors from Spain to what was once the huge Gran Colombia (large Colombia).To get a better understanding of the founding values and principles of the country, you might be interested in reading up on the Colombian government and also, the Colombian Constitution. Or perhaps you're curious about the Colombian flag? On a practical note, it is useful to know about Colombian currency. Recent events hit the news such as the rescue of Ingrid Betancourt, who's rescue was a feather in the cap of the former Colombian president, Uribe. Geography, people and natureColombian cities to choose from if traveling through the country starting with the largest and capital, namely Bogota, followed by the warm and friendly Medellin, Cali and the famous and most visited tourist destination here which is Cartagena.The geography of Colombia is fascinating in how varied and beautiful it is. It's interesting to know that 80% of the population live above 1000m (3000 feet) which represents about 20% of the surface of the country and gives surprising weather conditions at this latitude. Not to mention that the nation has the second largest biodiversity in the world, after Brazil. There are therefore, a vast variety of plants and orchids here and the Colombia weather is also surprisingly full of contrast depending on your altitude and whereabouts. The Colombian population is roughly on a par with that of Spain but the people very significantly. Culture & SocietyAs is so often the case, the Republic of Colombia and soccer go hand in hand, with people showing great passion for their local teams and the famous news commentator impressively long shouts of "GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL!!!!!" when they score.Jobs here as as varied as everything ranging, from the low-end minimum wage type manual labor such as working in mines or cleaning apartments to high-end business and land owners who both have and sometimes, display great wealth and power. This is not an egalitarian society by any means. SpanishLearning Spanish is perfect now that the language is more relevant than ever. Spanish is the third largest language in the world having surpassed English and is spoken by over 350 million people worldwide! It is the official language of 20 countries, spoken throughout South America excluding Brazil.A number of people come to learn Spanish in Colombia, which makes sense because you can combine both travel and adventure with acquiring a language. Depending on how fast you are, I think it's possible to learn to speak at a basic level in about 3-months. Colombian RestaurantsColombian restaurants are friendly and often serve what's known as "menu" which is the set lunch for the day, usually consisting of a soup, main and some sort of dessert.Return from Republic of Colombia to Colombia Travel Guide New! CommentsHave your say about what you just read! Leave me a comment in the box below. |
Do you want to subscribe to our monthly Ezine?
Fill out the details below to receive our fresh insights about Colombia.