Colombia

Colombia is a country in the northwest of South America. It is bordered by Venezuela and the Caribbean to the north, Brazil to the southeast, Peru and Ecuador to the south, and Panama to the northwest, with coastlines on the Caribbean and the Pacific. The capital is Bogotá. Spanish is the official language; numerous indigenous languages are also spoken, with sizeable Afro-Colombian and indigenous communities.

Colombia is geographically diverse, spanning the Andes with three cordilleras, Amazon rainforest in the south, the Llanos plains, and both Pacific and Caribbean coastlines. It contains abundant rivers, including the Magdalena and Cauca, and a wide range of ecosystems, from tropical forests to highland wetlands and páramos.

Historically, it was home to several pre-Columbian cultures before Spanish colonization began in the 16th century. It achieved independence in the early 19th century as part of Gran Colombia and later became a republic. The late 20th century saw armed conflict linked to insurgent groups and drug trafficking; a peace agreement with FARC was signed in 2016, with ongoing efforts toward implementation and reconciliation.

The economy is diverse, with services, manufacturing, mining, and agriculture. Colombia is a leading producer of coffee and emeralds, and exports coal and oil. Major trading partners include the United States, the European Union, and China. The country has 32 departments and a capital district, and operates as a presidential republic with a multi-party system.