The Republic of Colombia is a country located in the north-western region of South America. It borders Panama, Venezuela, Brazil, Ecuador and Peru. The name "Colombia" comes from the name of Christopher Columbus. Hunter-gatherer societies existed in the area of the present day Colombia 12,000 years ago. Beginning in the first millennium BC, Muisca people in the highlands around Bogotá build complex cacicazgo systems considered one of the most developed political systems in South America, after the Incas. In 1508, Vasco Nuñez de Balboa started the conquest of the territory through the region of Urabá. A rebellion for independence started around 1810 and was led by the legendary Simón Bolívar who became the nations first president. From 1819 to 1831 Greater Colombia encompassed an area including what is now Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador and Panama, as well as smaller parts of Costa Rica, Peru, Brazil and Guyana. Territorial and internal political struggle continued into the first years of the twentieth century after which a period of more than 40 years of stability ensued. This period was ended with the assassination of Jorge Eliécer Gaitán and the following riots. In the early fifties this period, called La Violencia, was ended when the liberal on conservative party joined forces in the National Front. Since the late seventies drug cartels and paramilitary groups have destabilised Colombia, although, the situation has improved in recent years.

Inhabitants: 45.6 million
Area: 1,141,748 km2
Capital: Bogotá (8 million)
Languages: Spanish
Religion: Catholic
GDP per capita: $7,565
Government: Republic
Climate: Tropical and isothermal