Colombia By Caleb Holaway

Flag of Colombia - The flag of Colombia features three bands, one yellow, one red, and one blue. The yellow in this flag stands for the gold in Colombia’s land, the blue stands for the seas on its shores, and the red is symbolic for the blood spilled while Colombia was gaining its independence. - The flag of Colombia features three bands, one yellow, one red, and one blue. The yellow in this flag stands for the gold in Colombia’s land, the blue stands for the seas on its shores, and the red is symbolic for the blood spilled while Colombia was gaining its independence.

Location - Colombia is located in Northern South America, bordering the Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean. It neighbors Venezuela, Panama, Ecuador, Peru, and Brazil.

Historical Timeline 1538 – ‘ The New Kingdom of Granada ’ was founded by Spain. It was located in present day Colombia ’ s – Spain put The New Kingdom of Granada along with the territories now known as Venezuela, Ecuador and Panama into a new colony known as the Viceroyalty of New Granada – The territories of the Viceroyalty of New Granada made their own independent governments – Simón Bolívar defeated Spanish Royalists at the Battle of Boyacá. The new nation ‘Gran Colombia’ was formed – Ecuador and Venezuela leave the Republic of Colombia, making them completely independent nations – A Civil War (commonly known as The War of One-Thousand Days) occurred. 120,000 people died – With the help of the U.S., Panama seceded from Colombia and Panama gave the U.S. the land to build the Panama Canal – The assassination of Bogotá mayor Jorge Eliécer Gaitán set off riots which ignited a civil war in which 250,000 to 300,000 people deceased.

Historical Timeline Continued – Colombia ’ s government begins its intensive fight against drugs. Drug related violence begins growing rapidly in southern Colombia and not much progress is made – The U.S. government sends Colombia over $1 billion in military supplies to fight the drug cartels – Government declares war zone in the southern region of Colombia after guerillas, men hired by the drug cartel to cause violence, increase violence rapidly. Present – Progress is slowly but steadily being made against the drug trade.

Religion of Colombia – 90% Roman Catholic/ 10% Other Type of Government – Republic/ President – Juan Manuel Santos Population – 45,239,079

Famous Historical Figures of Colombia Antonio Nariño ( ) – Antonio Nariño ( ) – Antonio was a patriot of the rebellion against Spain, starting when he secretly passed out thousands of copies of the book The Declaration of the Rights of Man, a book which boosted the life of the rebellion against Spain. After being imprisoned, he escaped from prison, went to Europe and eventually returned to Colombia. He has a province named after him and is mentioned in the Colombian national anthem.

Famous Historical Figures of Colombia Francisco Jose de Paula Santander ( ) - Francisco Jose de Paula Santander ( ) - This iconic Colombian was a military and political leader, best known for his service from He served under Simón Bolívar and later became a president of Gran Colombia. This iconic Colombian was a military and political leader, best known for his service from He served under Simón Bolívar and later became a president of Gran Colombia. Policarpa Salavarrieta ( ) - Starting in 1817 when she snuck into the mainly Royalist city of Bogotá with forged passports, she very quickly became successful as a spy because she was virtually unknown in Bogotá, as well as because she was a woman. She assisted the rebels in learning information about the royalists plans, but she was caught and executed on November 14, 1817.

Famous Historical Figures of Colombia José Antonio Galán ( ) – José Antonio Galán ( ) – José was a native born Colombian who participated in and partially led the Insurreccíon de los Comuneros, or the Insurrection of the Villagers. In this protest, the poor villagers as well as many common people of the Viceroyalty of New Granada marched to protest increased taxes on tobacco and high polling taxes introduced by Spain. Like many others, he was executed for participating in this protest.

Modern Day Famous Colombians Camilo Villegas (Born 1982) – Camilo Villegas (Born 1982) – Born in Medellín, Colombia, Camilo is one of the most famous South American golfers. He has won the PGA golf tournament three times, the Japanese Golf Tour once, and other major tournaments five times. Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll (Born 1977) – Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll (Born 1977) – Known as a rock and roll singer/ belly dancer, Shakira is a world renowned artist. She was born in Baranquilla, Colombia, and is now touring. Her last record “Dónde Están los Landrones?” sold nearly seven million copies world wide!

Modern Day Famous Colombians  Edward Niño Hernández (Born 1986) – Born in Bogotá, Edward has been made famous simply due to his height. At a whopping 2 ft. 3 ½ inches, is it really a surprise he is the Guinness World Record holder for the shortest man to live?  Carlos Jacanamijoy (Born 1964) – Carlos was born in Santiago, Putumayo, Colombia, and he is known as a modern-abstract artist. He has paintings in museums and galleries throughout South America.

Places to Visit in Colombia Santa Marta – Located between the snowcapped Sierra Nevada’s and the sands of beaches, Santa Marta has been called the most beautiful part of Colombia. It is not only rich in view, but also culture and tranquility. Santa Marta – Located between the snowcapped Sierra Nevada’s and the sands of beaches, Santa Marta has been called the most beautiful part of Colombia. It is not only rich in view, but also culture and tranquility. Maloka Museum- This museum in Bogotá showcases gold statues and other things created by the Inca and Mayans. Maloka Museum- This museum in Bogotá showcases gold statues and other things created by the Inca and Mayans. Zipaquira Salt Cathedral – This underground Roman Catholic Cathedral is located directly under the town of Zipaquira. It is amazing!

Pictures of Colombia

Major Cities of Colombia Bogotá – Capital of Colombia, founded in 1867 by Gonzalo Jimenez de Quesada. Bogotá – Capital of Colombia, founded in 1867 by Gonzalo Jimenez de Quesada. Manizales – This Colombian city is best known for its coffee plantations, which are numerous. It is one of Colombia’s main coffee producers, and it’s located just North of the Colombian Coffee- Growers Axis. Manizales – This Colombian city is best known for its coffee plantations, which are numerous. It is one of Colombia’s main coffee producers, and it’s located just North of the Colombian Coffee- Growers Axis. Barranquilla – Located on the mouth of the Magdalena River on the Caribbean Sea, this is one of Colombia’s major shipping ports of coffee throughout the country. Barranquilla – Located on the mouth of the Magdalena River on the Caribbean Sea, this is one of Colombia’s major shipping ports of coffee throughout the country. Cali – Being the third largest city in Colombia, it was founded in 1536 and has been rapidly growing since. Its population is currently 2,392,877 people. Cali – Being the third largest city in Colombia, it was founded in 1536 and has been rapidly growing since. Its population is currently 2,392,877 people. Cartagena – This city is located on the Caribbean Sea and is quickly turning into a beach resort town. It has a population of 892,545 people and is rapidly growing. Cartagena – This city is located on the Caribbean Sea and is quickly turning into a beach resort town. It has a population of 892,545 people and is rapidly growing. Ibagué – This town is the capital of the province of Tolima. It was founded in 1551 and was at one time the capital of New Granada. This city lies on the Andean Volcanic Belt and is in the vicinity of two active volcanoes. Ibagué – This town is the capital of the province of Tolima. It was founded in 1551 and was at one time the capital of New Granada. This city lies on the Andean Volcanic Belt and is in the vicinity of two active volcanoes.

Imports and Exports Imports include – Industrial Equipment, Transportation Equipment, Consumer Goods, Chemicals, Paper Products, Fuel, and Electricity Imports include – Industrial Equipment, Transportation Equipment, Consumer Goods, Chemicals, Paper Products, Fuel, and Electricity Exports include – Petroleum, Coal, Emeralds, Coffee, Nickel, Cut Flowers, Bananas, Apparel Exports include – Petroleum, Coal, Emeralds, Coffee, Nickel, Cut Flowers, Bananas, Apparel

Popular Celebrations of Colombia Colombian Independence Day – July 20 th Colombian Independence Day – July 20 th El Día de San Jose – March 19 th El Día de San Jose – March 19 th El Día de la Batalla de Boyacá – August 7 th El Día de la Batalla de Boyacá – August 7 th Inmaculada Concepción – December 8 th Inmaculada Concepción – December 8 th La Navidad – December 25 th La Navidad – December 25 th Día de los Santos – November 1 st Día de los Santos – November 1 st Día de la Raza – October 12 th Día de la Raza – October 12 th Día del Trabajador – May 1 st Día del Trabajador – May 1 st

¡Gracias!