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South America :: Colombia

- ## Introduction :: COLOMBIA

- 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 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

- Location:
  Northern South America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Panama and Venezuela, and bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between Ecuador and Panama
  Geographic coordinates:
  4 00 N, 72 00 W
  Map references:
  South America
  Area:
  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
  Area - comparative:
  slightly less than twice the size of Texas
  Area comparison map:
  Land boundaries:
  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
  Coastline:
  3,208 km (Caribbean Sea 1,760 km, North Pacific Ocean 1,448 km)
  Maritime claims:
  territorial sea: 12 nm
  exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
  continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
  Climate:
  tropical along coast and eastern plains; cooler in highlands
  Terrain:
  flat coastal lowlands, central highlands, high Andes Mountains, eastern lowland plains (Llanos)
  Elevation extremes:
  lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
  highest point: Pico Cristobal Colon 5,775 m
  note: nearby Pico Simon Bolivar also has the same elevation
  Natural resources:
  petroleum, natural gas, coal, iron ore, nickel, gold, copper, emeralds, hydropower
  Land use:
  agricultural land: 37.5%
  arable land 1.4%; permanent crops 1.6%; permanent pasture 34.5%
  forest: 54.4%
  other: 8.1% (2011 est.)
  Irrigated land:
  10,870 sq km (2011)
  Total renewable water resources:
  2,132 cu km (2011)
  Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
  total: 12.65 cu km/yr (55%/4%/41%)
  per capita: 308 cu m/yr (2010)
  Natural hazards:
  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
  Environment - current issues:
  deforestation; soil and water quality damage from overuse of pesticides; air pollution, especially in Bogota, from vehicle emissions
  Environment - international agreements:
  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
  Geography - note:
  only South American country with coastlines on both the North Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea

- ## People and Society :: COLOMBIA

- Nationality:
  noun: Colombian(s)
  adjective: Colombian
  Ethnic groups:
  mestizo and white 84.2%, Afro-Colombian (includes multatto, Raizal, and Palenquero) 10.4%, Amerindian 3.4%, Roma <.01, unspecified 2.1% (2005 est.)
  Languages:
  Spanish (official)
  Religions:
  Roman Catholic 90%, other 10%
  Demographic profile:
  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.
  Population:
  46,736,728 (July 2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 30
  Age structure:
  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:
  Dependency ratios:
  total dependency ratio: 45.6%
  youth dependency ratio: 35.4%
  elderly dependency ratio: 10.2%
  potential support ratio: 9.8% (2015 est.)
  Median age:
  total: 29.3 years
  male: 28.3 years
  female: 30.3 years (2015 est.)
  Population growth rate:
  1.04% (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 115
  Birth rate:
  16.47 births/1,000 population (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 114
  Death rate:
  5.4 deaths/1,000 population (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 177
  Net migration rate:
  -0.64 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 141
  Urbanization:
  urban population: 76.4% of total population (2015)
  rate of urbanization: 1.66% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
  Major urban areas - population:
  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)
  Sex ratio:
  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: 0.72 male(s)/female
  total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2015 est.)
  Infant mortality rate:
  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: 106
  Life expectancy at birth:
  total population: 75.48 years
  male: 72.34 years
  female: 78.8 years (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 98
  Total fertility rate:
  2.04 children born/woman (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 117
  Contraceptive prevalence rate:
  79.1% (2009/10)
  Health expenditures:
  6.8% of GDP (2013)
  country comparison to the world: 85
  Physicians density:
  1.47 physicians/1,000 population (2010)
  Hospital bed density:
  1.5 beds/1,000 population (2012)
  Drinking water source:
  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.)
  Sanitation facility access:
  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.)
  HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
  0.4% (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 76
  HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
  124,400 (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 38
  HIV/AIDS - deaths:
  4,700 (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 32
  Major infectious diseases:
  degree of risk: high
  food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea
  vectorborne diseases: dengue fever, malaria, and yellow fever (2013)
  Obesity - adult prevalence rate:
  20.7% (2014)
  country comparison to the world: 112
  Children under the age of 5 years underweight:
  3.4% (2010)
  country comparison to the world: 108
  Education expenditures:
  4.9% of GDP (2013)
  country comparison to the world: 95
  Literacy:
  definition: age 15 and over can read and write
  total population: 94.7%
  male: 94.6%
  female: 94.8% (2015 est.)
  School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
  total: 14 years
  male: 13 years
  female: 14 years (2010)
  Child labor - children ages 5-14:
  total number: 988,362
  percentage: 9%
  note: data represents children ages 5-17 (2009 est.)
  Unemployment, youth ages 15-24:
  total: 21.9%
  male: 17%
  female: 28.9% (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 50

- ## Government :: COLOMBIA

- Country name:
  conventional long form: Republic of Colombia
  conventional short form: Colombia
  local long form: Republica de Colombia
  local short form: Colombia
  Government type:
  republic; executive branch dominates government structure
  Capital:
  name: Bogota
  geographic coordinates: 4 36 N, 74 05 W
  time difference: UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
  Administrative divisions:
  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
  Independence:
  20 July 1810 (from Spain)
  National holiday:
  Independence Day, 20 July (1810)
  Constitution:
  several previous; latest promulgated 5 July 1991; amended many times, last in 2011 (2013)
  Legal system:
  civil law system influenced by the Spanish and French civil codes
  International law organization participation:
  has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
  Suffrage:
  18 years of age; universal
  Executive branch:
  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%
  Legislative branch:
  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
  Judicial branch:
  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
  Political parties and leaders:
  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
  Political pressure groups and leaders:
  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
  International organization participation:
  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
  Diplomatic representation in the US:
  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
  Diplomatic representation from the US:
  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
  Flag description:
  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
  National symbol(s):
  Andean condor; national colors: yellow, blue, red
  National anthem:
  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

- Economy - overview:
  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%.
  GDP (purchasing power parity):
  $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
  GDP (official exchange rate):
  $384.9 billion (2014 est.)
  GDP - real growth rate:
  4.6% (2014 est.)
  4.9% (2013 est.)
  4% (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 54
  GDP - per capita (PPP):
  $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
  Gross national saving:
  19.4% of GDP (2014 est.)
  21.2% of GDP (2013 est.)
  20.8% of GDP (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 73
  GDP - composition, by end use:
  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.)
  GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
  agriculture: 6.1%
  industry: 37.3%
  services: 56.6% (2014 est.)
  Agriculture - products:
  coffee, cut flowers, bananas, rice, tobacco, corn, sugarcane, cocoa beans, oilseed, vegetables; shrimp; forest products
  Industries:
  textiles, food processing, oil, clothing and footwear, beverages, chemicals, cement; gold, coal, emeralds
  Industrial production growth rate:
  4.2% (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 66
  Labor force:
  23.67 million (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 28
  Labor force - by occupation:
  agriculture: 17%
  industry: 21%
  services: 62% (2011 est.)
  Unemployment rate:
  9.1% (2014 est.)
  9.7% (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 105
  Population below poverty line:
  32.7% (2012 est.)
  Household income or consumption by percentage share:
  lowest 10%: 1.1%
  highest 10%: 42% (2012 est.)
  Distribution of family income - Gini index:
  53.5 (2012)
  56.9 (1996)
  country comparison to the world: 12
  Budget:
  revenues: $114.1 billion
  expenditures: $120.2 billion (2014 est.)
  Taxes and other revenues:
  28.5% of GDP (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 99
  Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
  -1.5% of GDP (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 67
  Public debt:
  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
  Fiscal year:
  calendar year
  Inflation rate (consumer prices):
  2.9% (2014 est.)
  2% (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 128
  Central bank discount rate:
  4.75% (31 December 2011)
  5% (31 December 2010)
  country comparison to the world: 79
  Commercial bank prime lending rate:
  10.9% (31 December 2014 est.)
  11% (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 76
  Stock of narrow money:
  $47.31 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
  $44.55 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 51
  Stock of broad money:
  $177.5 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
  $161.7 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 44
  Stock of domestic credit:
  $177.9 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
  $166.4 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 45
  Market value of publicly traded shares:
  $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
  Current account balance:
  -$19.29 billion (2014 est.)
  -$12.28 billion (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 181
  Exports:
  $55 billion (2014 est.)
  $58.03 billion (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 57
  Exports - commodities:
  petroleum, coal, emeralds, coffee, nickel, cut flowers, bananas, apparel
  Exports - partners:
  US 26.3%, China 10.5%, Panama 6.6%, Spain 5.8%, India 5.1% (2014)
  Imports:
  $56.75 billion (2014 est.)
  $55.03 billion (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 51
  Imports - commodities:
  industrial equipment, transportation equipment, consumer goods, chemicals, paper products, fuels, electricity
  Imports - partners:
  US 28.5%, China 18.4%, Mexico 8.2% (2014)
  Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
  $47.74 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
  $43.16 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 41
  Debt - external:
  $84 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
  $80.63 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 51
  Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
  $144.8 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
  $127.9 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 34
  Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
  $44 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
  $39 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 40
  Exchange rates:
  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

- Electricity - production:
  59.22 billion kWh (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 46
  Electricity - consumption:
  50.25 billion kWh (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 48
  Electricity - exports:
  236 million kWh (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 76
  Electricity - imports:
  8.22 billion kWh (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 27
  Electricity - installed generating capacity:
  14.47 million kW (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 48
  Electricity - from fossil fuels:
  32.4% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 176
  Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
  0% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 69
  Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
  67.2% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 27
  Electricity - from other renewable sources:
  0.4% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 93
  Crude oil - production:
  1.022 million bbl/day (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 20
  Crude oil - exports:
  777,900 bbl/day (2009)
  country comparison to the world: 18
  Crude oil - imports:
  10 bbl/day (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 80
  Crude oil - proved reserves:
  2.377 billion bbl (1 January 2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 35
  Refined petroleum products - production:
  313,100 bbl/day (2010 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 42
  Refined petroleum products - consumption:
  306,000 bbl/day (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 41
  Refined petroleum products - exports:
  92,410 bbl/day (2010 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 46
  Refined petroleum products - imports:
  49,790 bbl/day (2010 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 70
  Natural gas - production:
  11.93 billion cu m (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 39
  Natural gas - consumption:
  9.39 billion cu m (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 49
  Natural gas - exports:
  2.54 billion cu m (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 37
  Natural gas - imports:
  0 cu m (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 178
  Natural gas - proved reserves:
  198.4 billion cu m (1 January 2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 47
  Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
  74.9 million Mt (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 49

- ## Communications :: COLOMBIA

- Telephones - fixed lines:
  total subscriptions: 7.2 million
  subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 16 (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 24
  Telephones - mobile cellular:
  total: 55.3 million
  subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 120 (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 28
  Telephone system:
  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)
  Broadcast media:
  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)
  Radio broadcast stations:
  AM 454, FM 34, shortwave 27 (1999)
  Television broadcast stations:
  60 (1997)
  Internet country code:
  .co
  Internet users:
  total: 24.3 million
  percent of population: 52.4% (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 25

- ## Transportation :: COLOMBIA

- Airports:
  836 (2013)
  country comparison to the world: 8
  Airports - with paved runways:
  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)
  Airports - with unpaved runways:
  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)
  Heliports:
  3 (2013)
  Pipelines:
  gas 4,991 km; oil 6,796 km; refined products 3,429 km (2013)
  Railways:
  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
  Roadways:
  total: 141,374 km (2010)
  country comparison to the world: 34
  Waterways:
  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
  Merchant marine:
  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
  Ports and terminals:
  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

- Military branches:
  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)
  Military service age and obligation:
  18-24 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service; service obligation is 18 months (2012)
  Manpower available for military service:
  males age 16-49: 11,692,647
  females age 16-49: 11,727,625 (2010 est.)
  Manpower fit for military service:
  males age 16-49: 9,150,400
  females age 16-49: 9,861,760 (2010 est.)
  Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
  male: 430,634
  female: 413,974 (2010 est.)
  Military expenditures:
  3.28% of GDP (2012)
  3.06% of GDP (2011)
  3.63% of GDP (2010)
  country comparison to the world: 17

- ## Transnational Issues :: COLOMBIA

- Disputes - international:
  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
  Refugees and internally displaced persons:
  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 drugs:
  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)

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