Colombia

National name:
República de Colombia

Government:
Republic.

Geography
Colombia is bordered on the northwest by Panama, on the east by Venezuela and Brazil, and on the southwest by Peru and Ecuador. Through the western half of the country, three Andean ranges run north and south. The eastern half is a low, jungle-covered plain, drained by spurs of the Amazon and Orinoco Rivers, inhabited mostly by isolated tropical- forest Indian tribes. The fertile plateau and valley of the eastern range are the most densely populated parts of the country.

Historical Background
Colombia was one of the three countries that emerged from the collapse of Gran Colombia in 1830 (the others are Ecuador and Venezuela). A 40-year conflict between government forces and anti-government insurgent groups and illegal paramilitary groups. The insurgents lack the military or popular support necessary to overthrow the government and violence has been decreasing since about 2002, but insurgents continue attacks against civilians and large swaths of the countryside are under guerrilla influence. The Colombian Government has stepped up efforts to reassert government control throughout the country, and now has a presence in every one of its municipalities.

Capital

Bogotá, D.C.

Government

Unitary presidential republic
 -  President Juan Manuel Santos
 -  Vice President Angelino Garzón
Language

Spanish

Religion

Christianity

Area

Total 1,141,748 km2 (26th) 440,831 sq mi

Population

August 2010 estimate 45,586,233[3] (29th) 2005 census 42,888,592

Currency

Peso (COP)

GDP: 2009 estimate Total $431.900 billion