Introduction :: COLOMBIA
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Colombia was one of the three countries that emerged from the collapse of Gran Colombia in 1830 (the others are Ecuador and Venezuela). A nearly five-decade-long conflict between government forces and antigovernment insurgent groups, principally the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) heavily funded by the drug trade, escalated during the 1990s. More than 31,000 former paramilitaries had demobilized by the end of 2006 and the United Self Defense Forces of Colombia as a formal organization had ceased to function. In the wake of the paramilitary demobilization, emerging criminal groups arose, whose members include some former paramilitaries. The insurgents lack the military or popular support necessary to overthrow the government, but continue attacks against civilians. Large areas of the countryside are under guerrilla influence or are contested by security forces. In November 2012, the Colombian Government started formal peace negotiations with the FARC aimed at reaching a definitive bilateral cease-fire and incorporating demobilized FARC members into mainstream society and politics. The Colombian Government has stepped up efforts to reassert government control throughout the country, and now has a presence in every one of its administrative departments. Despite decades of internal conflict and drug related security challenges, Colombia maintains relatively strong democratic institutions characterized by peaceful, transparent elections and the protection of civil liberties.
Geography :: COLOMBIA
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Northern South America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Panama and Venezuela, and bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between Ecuador and Panama
4 00 N, 72 00 W
South America
total: 1,138,910 sq km
land: 1,038,700 sq km
water: 100,210 sq km
note: includes Isla de Malpelo, Roncador Cay, and Serrana Bank
country comparison to the world: 26
slightly less than twice the size of Texas
total: 6,672 km
border countries (5): Brazil 1,790 km, Ecuador 708 km, Panama 339 km, Peru 1,494 km, Venezuela 2,341 km
3,208 km (Caribbean Sea 1,760 km, North Pacific Ocean 1,448 km)
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
tropical along coast and eastern plains; cooler in highlands
flat coastal lowlands, central highlands, high Andes Mountains, eastern lowland plains (Llanos)
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Pico Cristobal Colon 5,775 m
note: nearby Pico Simon Bolivar also has the same elevation
petroleum, natural gas, coal, iron ore, nickel, gold, copper, emeralds, hydropower
agricultural land: 37.5%
arable land 1.4%; permanent crops 1.6%; permanent pasture 34.5%
forest: 54.4%
other: 8.1% (2011 est.)
10,870 sq km (2011)
2,132 cu km (2011)
total: 12.65 cu km/yr (55%/4%/41%)
per capita: 308 cu m/yr (2010)
highlands subject to volcanic eruptions; occasional earthquakes; periodic droughts
volcanism: Galeras (elev. 4,276 m) is one of Colombia's most active volcanoes, having erupted in 2009 and 2010 causing major evacuations; it has been deemed a Decade Volcano by the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior, worthy of study due to its explosive history and close proximity to human populations; Nevado del Ruiz (elev. 5,321 m), 129 km (80 mi) west of Bogota, erupted in 1985 producing lahars (mudflows) that killed 23,000 people; the volcano last erupted in 1991; additionally, after 500 years of dormancy, Nevado del Huila reawakened in 2007 and has experienced frequent eruptions since then; other historically active volcanoes include Cumbal, Dona Juana, Nevado del Tolima, and Purace
deforestation; soil and water quality damage from overuse of pesticides; air pollution, especially in Bogota, from vehicle emissions
party to: Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea
only South American country with coastlines on both the North Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea
People and Society :: COLOMBIA
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noun: Colombian(s)
adjective: Colombian
mestizo and white 84.2%, Afro-Colombian (includes multatto, Raizal, and Palenquero) 10.4%, Amerindian 3.4%, Roma <.01, unspecified 2.1% (2005 est.)
Spanish (official)
Roman Catholic 90%, other 10%
Colombia is in the midst of a demographic transition resulting from steady declines in its fertility, mortality, and population growth rates. The birth rate has fallen from more than 6 children per woman in the 1960s to just above replacement level today as a result of increased literacy, family planning services, and urbanization. However, income inequality is among the worst in the world, and more than a third of the population lives below the poverty line.
Colombia experiences significant legal and illegal economic emigration and refugee flows. Large-scale labor emigration dates to the 1960s; Venezuela and the United States continue to be the main host countries. Colombia is the largest source of Latin American refugees in Latin America, nearly 400,000 of whom live primarily in Venezuela and Ecuador. Forced displacement remains prevalent because of violence among guerrillas, paramilitary groups, and Colombian security forces. Afro-Colombian and indigenous populations are disproportionately affected. A leading NGO estimates that 5.2 million people have been displaced since 1985, while the Colombian Government estimates 3.6 million since 2000. These estimates may undercount actual numbers because not all internally displaced persons are registered. Historically, Colombia also has one of the world's highest levels of forced disappearances. About 30,000 cases have been recorded over the last four decades - although the number is likely to be much higher - including human rights activists, trade unionists, Afro-Colombians, indigenous people, and farmers in rural conflict zones.
46,736,728 (July 2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 30
0-14 years: 24.94% (male 5,967,860/female 5,688,106)
15-24 years: 17.81% (male 4,234,564/female 4,087,134)
25-54 years: 41.71% (male 9,653,094/female 9,841,546)
55-64 years: 8.62% (male 1,885,481/female 2,141,618)
65 years and over: 6.93% (male 1,349,613/female 1,887,712) (2015 est.)
population pyramid:
total dependency ratio: 45.6%
youth dependency ratio: 35.4%
elderly dependency ratio: 10.2%
potential support ratio: 9.8% (2015 est.)
total: 28.9 years
male: 27.9 years
female: 29.9 years (2014 est.)
1.04% (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 114
16.47 births/1,000 population (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 116
5.4 deaths/1,000 population (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 178
-0.64 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 140
urban population: 76.4% of total population (2015)
rate of urbanization: 1.66% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
BOGOTA (capital) 9.765 million; Medellin 3.911 million; Cali 2.646 million; Barranquilla 1.991 million; Bucaramanga 1.215 million; Cartagena 1.092 million (2015)
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 0.98 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 0.88 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/female
total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2015 est.)
total: 14.58 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 17.68 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 11.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 107
total population: 75.48 years
male: 72.34 years
female: 78.8 years (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 98
2.04 children born/woman (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 115
79.1% (2009/10)
6.8% of GDP (2013)
country comparison to the world: 85
1.47 physicians/1,000 population (2010)
1.5 beds/1,000 population (2012)
improved:
urban: 96.8% of population
rural: 73.8% of population
total: 91.4% of population
unimproved:
urban: 3.2% of population
rural: 26.2% of population
total: 8.6% of population (2015 est.)
improved:
urban: 85.2% of population
rural: 67.9% of population
total: 81.1% of population
unimproved:
urban: 14.8% of population
rural: 32.1% of population
total: 18.9% of population (2015 est.)
0.45% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 69
136,500 (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 34
6,500 (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 29
degree of risk: high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea
vectorborne diseases: dengue fever, malaria, and yellow fever (2013)
20.7% (2014)
country comparison to the world: 112
3.4% (2010)
country comparison to the world: 108
4.9% of GDP (2013)
country comparison to the world: 95
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 94.7%
male: 94.6%
female: 94.8% (2015 est.)
total: 14 years
male: 13 years
female: 14 years (2010)
total number: 988,362
percentage: 9%
note: data represents children ages 5-17 (2009 est.)
total: 21.9%
male: 17%
female: 28.9% (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 50
Government :: COLOMBIA
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conventional long form: Republic of Colombia
conventional short form: Colombia
local long form: Republica de Colombia
local short form: Colombia
republic; executive branch dominates government structure
name: Bogota
geographic coordinates: 4 36 N, 74 05 W
time difference: UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
32 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento) and 1 capital district* (distrito capital); Amazonas, Antioquia, Arauca, Atlantico, Bogota*, Bolivar, Boyaca, Caldas, Caqueta, Casanare, Cauca, Cesar, Choco, Cordoba, Cundinamarca, Guainia, Guaviare, Huila, La Guajira, Magdalena, Meta, Narino, Norte de Santander, Putumayo, Quindio, Risaralda, Archipielago de San Andres, Providencia y Santa Catalina (colloquially San Andres y Providencia), Santander, Sucre, Tolima, Valle del Cauca, Vaupes, Vichada
20 July 1810 (from Spain)
Independence Day, 20 July (1810)
several previous; latest promulgated 5 July 1991; amended many times, last in 2011 (2013)
civil law system influenced by the Spanish and French civil codes
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
18 years of age; universal
chief of state: President Juan Manuel SANTOS Calderon (since 7 August 2010); Vice President Angelino GARZON (since 7 August 2010); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government
head of government: President Juan Manuel SANTOS Calderon (since 7 August 2010); Vice President Angelino GARZON (since 7 August 2010)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president
elections/appointments: president directly elected by absolute majority vote in two rounds if needed for a 4-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 25 May 2014 with a runoff election 15 on June 2014 (next to be held on 27 May 2018)
election results: Juan Manuel SANTOS Calderon reelected president in runoff; percent of vote - Juan Manuel SANTOS Calderon (U Party) 51.0%, Oscar Ivan ZULUAGA (CD) 45.0%, other 4.0%
description: bicameral Congress or Congreso consists of the Senate or Senado (102 seats; 100 members elected nationally - not by district or state - and two elected on a special ballot for indigenous communities to serve 4-year terms) and the Chamber of Representatives or Camara de Representantes (166 seats; members elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote to serve 4-year terms)
elections: Senate - last held on 9 March 2014 (next to be held in March 2018); Chamber of Representatives - last held on 9 March 2014 (next to be held in March 2018)
election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - U Party 21, CD 20, PC 18, PL 17, CR 9, PDA 5, Green Party 5, other 7; Chamber of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PL 39, U Party 37, PC 27, CD 19, CR 16, Green Party 6, PDA 3, other 19
highest court(s): Supreme Court of Justice or Corte Suprema de Justicia (consists of the Civil-Agrarian and Labor Chambers each with 7 judges, and the Penal Chamber with 9 judges); Constitutional Court (consists of 9 magistrates); Council of State (consists of 31 members); Superior Judiciary Council (consists of 13 magistrates)
judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court judges appointed by the Supreme Court members from candidates submitted by the Superior Judiciary Council; judges elected for individual 8-year terms; Constitutional Court magistrates - nominated by the president, by the Supreme Court, and elected by the Senate; judges elected for individual 8-year terms; Council of State members appointed by the State Council plenary from lists nominated by the Superior Judiciary Council
subordinate courts: Superior Tribunals (appellate courts for each of the judicial districts); regional courts; civil municipal courts; Superior Military Tribunal; first instance administrative courts
Alternative Democratic Pole or PDA [Clara LOPEZ]
Conservative Party or PC [David BARGUIL]
Democratic Center Party or CD [Alvaro URIBE Velez, Oscar Ivan ZULUAGA]
Green Alliance [Jorge LONDONO, Antonio SANGUINO, Luis AVELLANEDA, Camilo ROMERO]
Liberal Party or PL [Horacio SERPA]
Citizens Option (Opcion Ciudadana) or OC (formerly known as the National Integration Party or PIN) [Angel ALIRIO Moreno]
Radical Change or CR [Carlos Fernando GALAN]
Social National Unity Party or U Party [Roy BARRERAS, Jose David NAME]
note: Colombia has eight major political parties, and numerous smaller movements
Central Union of Workers or CUT
Colombian Confederation of Workers or CTC
General Confederation of Workers or CGT
National Liberation Army or ELN
Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia or FARC
note: FARC and ELN are the two largest insurgent groups active in Colombia
BCIE, BIS, CAN, Caricom (observer), CD, CDB, CELAC, EITI (candidate country), FAO, G-3, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAES, LAIA, Mercosur (associate), MIGA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, Pacific Alliance, PCA, UN, UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
chief of mission: Ambassador Juan Carlos PINZON Bueno (since 3 August 2015)
chancery: 2118 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 387-8338
FAX: [1] (202) 232-8643
consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Newark (NJ), Orlando, San Juan (Puerto Rico)
consulate(s): Boston, Chicago, San Francisco
chief of mission: Ambassador Kevin WHITAKER (since 11 June 2014)
embassy: Calle 24 Bis No. 48-50, Bogota, D.C.
mailing address: Carrera 45 No. 24B-27, Bogota, D.C.
telephone: [57] (1) 275-2000
FAX: [57] (1) 275-4600
three horizontal bands of yellow (top, double-width), blue, and red; the flag retains the three main colors of the banner of Gran Colombia, the short-lived South American republic that broke up in 1830; various interpretations of the colors exist and include: yellow for the gold in Colombia's land, blue for the seas on its shores, and red for the blood spilled in attaining freedom; alternatively, the colors have been described as representing more elemental concepts such as sovereignty and justice (yellow), loyalty and vigilance (blue), and valor and generosity (red); or simply the principles of liberty, equality, and fraternity
note: similar to the flag of Ecuador, which is longer and bears the Ecuadorian coat of arms superimposed in the center
Andean condor; national colors: yellow, blue, red
name: "Himno Nacional de la Republica de Colombia" (National Anthem of the Republic of Colombia)
lyrics/music: Rafael NUNEZ/Oreste SINDICI
note: adopted 1920; the anthem was created from an inspirational poem written by President Rafael NUNEZ
Economy :: COLOMBIA
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Colombia's consistently sound economic policies and aggressive promotion of free trade agreements in recent years have bolstered its ability to weather external shocks. Real GDP has grown more than 4% per year for the past four years, continuing almost a decade of strong economic performance. All three major ratings agencies have upgraded Colombia's government debt to investment grade, which helped to attract record levels of investment in 2013 and 2014, mostly in the hydrocarbons sector. Colombia depends heavily on energy and mining exports, making it vulnerable to a drop in commodity prices. Colombia is the world's fourth largest coal exporter and Latin America's fourth largest oil producer. Economic development is stymied by inadequate infrastructure, inequality, poverty, narco-trafficking and an uncertain security situation. Moreover, the unemployment rate of 9.2% in 2014 is still one of Latin America's highest. The SANTOS Administration's foreign policy has focused on bolstering Colombia's commercial ties and boosting investment at home. Colombia has signed or is negotiating Free Trade Agreements (FTA) with more than a dozen countries; the US-Colombia FTA went into force on May 2012. Colombia is also a founding member of the Pacific Alliance - a regional grouping formed in 2012 by Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Peru to promote regional trade and economic integration. In 2013, Colombia began its ascension process to the OECD. In 2014, Colombia passed a tax reform bill to offset the lost revenue from the global drop in oil prices. The SANTOS administration is also using tax reform to help finance implementation of a peace deal, in the event FARC and the government reach an agreement in 2015. Colombian officials estimate a peace deal may bolster economic growth by almost 2%.
$640.1 billion (2014 est.)
$612.2 billion (2013 est.)
$583.4 billion (2012 est.)
note: data are in 2014 US dollars
country comparison to the world: 32
$384.9 billion (2014 est.)
4.6% (2014 est.)
4.9% (2013 est.)
4% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 54
$13,400 (2014 est.)
$12,800 (2013 est.)
$12,200 (2012 est.)
note: data are in 2014 US dollars
country comparison to the world: 111
19.4% of GDP (2014 est.)
21.2% of GDP (2013 est.)
20.8% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 73
household consumption: 59.8%
government consumption: 17%
investment in fixed capital: 25.5%
investment in inventories: 0.1%
exports of goods and services: 18.5%
imports of goods and services: -20.8%
(2014 est.)
agriculture: 6.1%
industry: 37.3%
services: 56.6% (2014 est.)
coffee, cut flowers, bananas, rice, tobacco, corn, sugarcane, cocoa beans, oilseed, vegetables; shrimp; forest products
textiles, food processing, oil, clothing and footwear, beverages, chemicals, cement; gold, coal, emeralds
4.2% (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 66
23.67 million (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 28
agriculture: 17%
industry: 21%
services: 62% (2011 est.)
9.1% (2014 est.)
9.7% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 105
32.7% (2012 est.)
lowest 10%: 1.1%
highest 10%: 42% (2012 est.)
53.5 (2012)
56.9 (1996)
country comparison to the world: 12
revenues: $114.1 billion
expenditures: $120.2 billion (2014 est.)
28.5% of GDP (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 99
-1.5% of GDP (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 67
41.9% of GDP (2014 est.)
43.3% of GDP (2013 est.)
note: data cover general government debt, and includes debt instruments issued (or owned) by government entities other than the treasury; the data include treasury debt held by foreign entities; the data include debt issued by subnational entities
country comparison to the world: 90
calendar year
2.9% (2014 est.)
2% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 128
4.75% (31 December 2011)
5% (31 December 2010)
country comparison to the world: 79
10.9% (31 December 2014 est.)
11% (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 76
$47.31 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
$44.55 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 51
$177.5 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
$161.7 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 44
$177.9 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
$166.4 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 45
$262.1 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
$201.3 billion (31 December 2011)
$208.5 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 32
-$19.29 billion (2014 est.)
-$12.28 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 181
$55 billion (2014 est.)
$58.03 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 57
petroleum, coal, emeralds, coffee, nickel, cut flowers, bananas, apparel
US 31.8%, China 8.7%, Panama 5.7%, India 5.1%, Spain 4.9% (2013)
$56.75 billion (2014 est.)
$55.03 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 51
industrial equipment, transportation equipment, consumer goods, chemicals, paper products, fuels, electricity
US 27.7%, China 17.5%, Mexico 9.3%, Brazil 4.4% (2013)
$47.74 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
$43.16 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 41
$84 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
$80.63 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 51
$144.8 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
$127.9 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 34
$44 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
$39 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 40
Colombian pesos (COP) per US dollar -
1,992 (2014 est.)
1,868.9 (2013 est.)
1,798 (2012 est.)
1,848 (2011 est.)
1,898.6 (2010 est.)
Energy :: COLOMBIA
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59.22 billion kWh (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 46
50.25 billion kWh (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 48
236 million kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 76
8.22 billion kWh (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 27
14.47 million kW (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 48
32.4% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 176
0% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 69
67.2% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 27
0.4% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 93
1.022 million bbl/day (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 20
777,900 bbl/day (2009)
country comparison to the world: 18
10 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 80
2.377 billion bbl (1 January 2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 35
313,100 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 42
306,000 bbl/day (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 41
92,410 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 46
49,790 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 70
11.93 billion cu m (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 39
9.39 billion cu m (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 49
2.54 billion cu m (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 37
0 cu m (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 178
198.4 billion cu m (1 January 2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 47
74.9 million Mt (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 49
Communications :: COLOMBIA
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total subscriptions: 7.2 million
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 16 (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 24
total: 55.3 million
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 120 (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 28
general assessment: modern system in many respects with a nationwide microwave radio relay system, a domestic satellite system with 41 earth stations, and a fiber-optic network linking 50 cities; telecommunications sector liberalized during the 1990s; multiple providers of both fixed-line and mobile-cellular services
domestic: fixed-line connections stand at about 15 per 100 persons; mobile cellular telephone subscribership is about 100 per 100 persons; competition among cellular service providers is resulting in falling local and international calling rates and contributing to the steep decline in the market share of fixed-line services
international: country code - 57; multiple submarine cable systems provide links to the US, parts of the Caribbean, and Central and South America; satellite earth stations - 10 (6 Intelsat, 1 Inmarsat, 3 fully digitalized international switching centers) (2011)
combination of state-owned and privately owned broadcast media provide service; more than 500 radio stations and many national, regional, and local TV stations (2007)
AM 454, FM 34, shortwave 27 (1999)
60 (1997)
.co
total: 24.3 million
percent of population: 52.4% (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 25
Transportation :: COLOMBIA
-
836 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 8
total: 121
over 3,047 m: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 9
1,524 to 2,437 m: 39
914 to 1,523 m: 53
under 914 m: 18 (2013)
total: 715
over 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 25
914 to 1,523 m: 201
under 914 m:
488 (2013)
3 (2013)
gas 4,991 km; oil 6,796 km; refined products 3,429 km (2013)
total: 874 km
standard gauge: 150 km 1.435-m gauge
narrow gauge: 724 km 0.914-m gauge (2014)
country comparison to the world: 95
total: 141,374 km (2010)
country comparison to the world: 34
24,725 km (18,300 km navigable; the most important waterway, the River Magdalena, of which 1,488 km is navigable, is dredged regularly to ensure safe passage of cargo vessels and container barges) (2012)
country comparison to the world: 6
total: 12
by type: cargo 9, chemical tanker 1, petroleum tanker 2
registered in other countries: 4 (Antigua and Barbuda 1, Panama 2, Portugal 1) (2010)
country comparison to the world: 105
major seaport(s): Atlantic Ocean (Caribbean) - Cartagena, Santa Marta, Turbo; Pacific Ocean - Buenaventura
river port(s): Barranquilla (Rio Magdalena)
oil terminal(s): Covenas offshore terminal
dry bulk cargo port(s): Puerto Bolivar (coal)
container port(s) (TEUs): Cartagena (1,853,342)
Military :: COLOMBIA
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National Army (Ejercito Nacional), Republic of Colombia Navy (Armada Republica de Colombia, ARC, includes Naval Aviation, Naval Infantry (Infanteria de Marina, IM), and Coast Guard), Colombian Air Force (Fuerza Aerea de Colombia, FAC) (2012)
18-24 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service; service obligation is 18 months (2012)
males age 16-49: 11,692,647
females age 16-49: 11,727,625 (2010 est.)
males age 16-49: 9,150,400
females age 16-49: 9,861,760 (2010 est.)
male: 430,634
female: 413,974 (2010 est.)
3.28% of GDP (2012)
3.06% of GDP (2011)
3.63% of GDP (2010)
country comparison to the world: 17
Transnational Issues :: COLOMBIA
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in December 2007, ICJ allocated San Andres, Providencia, and Santa Catalina islands to Colombia under 1928 Treaty but did not rule on 82 degrees W meridian as maritime boundary with Nicaragua; managed dispute with Venezuela over maritime boundary and Venezuelan-administered Los Monjes Islands near the Gulf of Venezuela; Colombian-organized illegal narcotics, guerrilla, and paramilitary activities penetrate all neighboring borders and have caused Colombian citizens to flee mostly into neighboring countries; Colombia, Honduras, Nicaragua, Jamaica, and the US assert various claims to Bajo Nuevo and Serranilla Bank
IDPs: 6,044,200 (conflict between government and illegal armed groups and drug traffickers since 1985; about 300,000 new IDPs each year since 2000) (2014)
stateless persons: 12 (2014)
illicit producer of coca, opium poppy, and cannabis; world's leading coca cultivator with 83,000 hectares in coca cultivation in 2011, a 17% decrease over 2010, producing a potential of 195 mt of pure cocaine; the world's largest producer of coca derivatives; supplies cocaine to nearly all of the US market and the great majority of other international drug markets; in 2012, aerial eradication dispensed herbicide to treat over 100,549 hectares combined with manual eradication of 30,486 hectares; a significant portion of narcotics proceeds are either laundered or invested in Colombia through the black market peso exchange; important supplier of heroin to the US market; opium poppy cultivation is estimated to have fallen to 1,100 hectares in 2009 while pure heroin production declined to 2.1 mt; most Colombian heroin is destined for the US market (2013)
Central Intelligence Agency
