Full country name: Republic of Colombia
Area: 1.14 million sq km
Population: 45 million
Capital City: Bogotá (pop: 8 million)
Language: Spanish; Castilian
People: 58% mestizo (of European-Indian descent), 20% European descent, 14% mulatto (African-European descent), 4% African descent, 3% African-Indian descent, 1% indigenous
Religion: Catholic 95%, with the remainder a mixture of traditional, Episcopal & Jewish faiths
Location: Northern South America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Panama and Venezuela, and bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between Ecuador and Panama.
The Republic of Colombia has dramatically beautiful rainforests, mountains and beaches, lovely cities and enchanting people. The Colombian calendar is awash with festivals, carnivals, fairs and beauty pageants. Some of the biggest events include: Carnaval de Blancos y Negros (Pasto; January); Semana Santa (Holy Week; most prominent).
Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition, Copyright (c) 2004.