Colombia
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Capital
Bogota
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Local time
1:59
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Population
49.8 m
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Driving side
Right
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Calling code
+57
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Currency
$ COP (peso)
Colombia
-
Capital
Bogota
-
Local time
1:59
-
Population
49.8 m
-
Driving side
Right
-
Calling code
+57
-
Currency
$ COP (peso)
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Average Salary
$ 526
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Petrol price
€ 1.08 pl
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Precipitation
3 240mm /year
Geography & travel
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Country Area
1 138 910 km2
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Protected Area
23%
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Forest Area
53%
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Agricultural area
40%
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Railways
1672km
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Annual air passengers
32.26 m
Population
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Ethnicity
mestizo - 58 %
white - 20 %
mulatto - 14 %
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Religion
Roman Catholic - 90 %
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Literacy rates
94.2%
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Languages
Spanish
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Armed Forces
481 100
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Murders
27 per 100k
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Alcohol consumption
6.6 l/person
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Smoking
16%
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Diabetes
10%
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Malaria
12%
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Tuberculosis
31 per 100k
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HIV
0.4%
Economy
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Industries
textiles, food processing, oil, clothing and footwear, beverages, chemicals, cement, gold, coal
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Agriculture
coffee, cut flowers, bananas, rice, tobacco, corn, sugarcane, cocoa beans, oilseed
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Natural Resources
petroleum, natural gas, coal, iron ore, nickel, gold, copper, emeralds, hydropower
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Energy Import
-274%
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Natural Resources
petroleum, natural gas, coal, iron ore, nickel, gold, copper, emeralds, hydropower
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Renewable Energy
24%
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CO2 Emissions
84 092kt
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Ease of Business
59 (Best=1, Worst=200)
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ATMs per 100k people
41
What not to do when visiting Colombia
Colombia Don't forget homosexuality is not widely accepted or understood, especially by older generations. Don't talk about homosexuality.
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Colombia Don't ever say a bad word about the Catholic religion or Colombia. The most Colombians are closely bound up with their identity. To criticize any aspect of Colombia is to criticize them.
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Colombia Don't trust anyone on the street immediately, don't walk alone or be in a dark, isolated places. Watch for thieves and other criminals.
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Did you know?
In Colombia, mannequins have huge breasts.
Colombia Don't be tempter or overdo the drugs. For many travellers Colombia is the place to come and plug up their nostrils with cocaine and party until dawn, but that's too dangerous.
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Colombia Don't wear expensive watches and jewellery.
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Colombia Don't make jokes about drugs or drug consumption. For Colombians, it's not a taboo to talk about this issue, but be sure to approach it as a serious conversation, not as a stereotyped joke.
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Colombia Don't nude at the beaches or in public places. A woman should not walk without the top on the beach.
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Colombia Don't forget to dress conservatively. Wear casual clothes, but not shorts if you want to blend in. Formal attire is necessary for exclusive dining and social functions.
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Did you know?
Colombia is named after Christopher Columbus, despite Columbus never set foot in the country.
Colombia DOn't hesitate to negotiate the price before buying on the street and small stores. Shop more stores for the same item, the differences could be big.
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Colombia Don't show the slightest bit of interest in any of the hawkers selling goods on the streets, because they will just follow you.
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Colombia Don't say no to aguardiente (sugar-cane liquor) from a Colombian.
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Tell us your experience
We love to hear from people who have travelled the world and know ‘what not to do’. Why not help other people on their travels?
Colombia Don't use your two fingers to indicate length of something - it's an obscene gesture. Instead, extend your right arm and use your left hand to mark off distance.
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Colombia Don't whistle to get an attention - it can be considered rude.
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Colombia Don't hesitate to discuss about black Colombian coffee before any business is transacted in Colombia.
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Colombia Don't use suspicious exchange offices - go to authorised money exchanger store, be careful that you get all the money you exchanged and some of it does not get back into their drawer.
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Colombia Don’t forget to shake hands when greeting, accompanied by direct eye contact (men). While shaking hands, use the appropriate greeting for the time of day: "buenos dias" (good day), "buenas tardes" (good afternoon), or "buenas noches" (good evening/night). Women often grasp forearms rather than shaking hands. Ask about family, health and business during the greeting.
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Colombia Don't expect everywhere to be hot. Some higher altitude places can be pretty cold, especially at night.
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Colombia Don’t leave food and drinks unattended - be suspicious when a stranger offers you something to eat or drink.
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Colombia Don’t necessarily leave the plate empty - it’s considered polite to leave a small amount of food on a plate when finished eating.
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South America Don't take pictures of locals without permission.
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Colombia Don’t give lilies or marigolds - they are used at funerals. Roses are liked.
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Tell us your experience
We love to hear from people who have travelled the world and know ‘what not to do’. Why not help other people on their travels?
South America Don't be surprised with unpunctuality - up to 30 mins late is nothing unusual.
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