Facts Colombia
Here are some facts: Colombia is essentially the junction between Central and South America, as it has coasts on the Pacific and Caribbean, and it borders Panama. It is also bordered by Peru, Brazil, Ecuador, and Venezuela. San Gil offers adventure sports like rafting, hiking, and caving, while Leticia is Colombia's inlet into the Amazon rainforest, making it ideal not just for eco-tourism, but for seeing indigenous tribes like the Tikunas, Yaguas, Huitotos and Boras.
The capital city of Bogota is a massive urban melting pot of national and international cultures. In size, Bogota is comparable to Washington D.C., Berlin, or Buenos Aires. It hosts the Iberoamerican Theater Festival and Rock al Parque, which are hubs for thespians and musicians all over the world. The city's historical roots are evident in its architecture, as very old plazas and churches can share a block with towering, modern skyscrapers. A traveler could easily have a fulfilling stay in Bogota alone without ever seeing the rest of Colombia, though they'd be the poorer for not having had the experience.
Another key attraction in Colombia comes from the city of Barranquilla. Four days before Ash Wednesday, the city hosts a carnival which UNESCO declared a masterpiece of the oral and intangible heritage of humanity. Travelers attending the carnival should expect lots of fun, and very little sleep.
Although Colombia is tropical, it is unaffected by the usual battery of tropical diseases-like yellow fever-that travelers would worry about, and its water is quite good. However, Colombia is a high-altitude country, so altitude sickness is rather common.
Quick Info:
Capital: Bogotá, D.C.
Language(s): Spanish
Religion(s): Christianity
Currency: Peso (COP)
Electricity Voltage: 110V
Calling Code: +57
Popular Travel Destinations:
- Tayrona National Natural Park
- Cartagena
- Archipelago of San Andrés, Providencia and Santa Catalina.
Official Website: www.colombia.travel
Travel Forums:
*Note* - Some of the graphics on this page were taken from the CIA World Factbook which contains a wealth of information on every country in the world. I highly recommend it.