COLOMBIA!

COUNTRY OF SURPRISES
1. HISTORY
The republic of Colombia is a relatively new nation, has less than 200 years of
history as a republic, consolidated as a state only a little more than five centuries.
However, there are several significant events that have occurred in this country; for
example:
The pre-Columbian era
The time of the conquest
The time of independence
The foolish country
The republic
On July 20, 1810, was the beginning of events that changed the history of
Colombia.
Var Vargas Swamp
Battle of Boyac
Lost in Panama

2. LOCATION AND BORDERS OF COLOMBIA

Colombia occupies the extreme northwest of South America and is surrounded to
the north and the west by the oceans Atlantic (Caribbean Sea) and Pacific,
respectively.
Geographically locating Colombia shows that:
It is located in northwestern South America. It is the only country in South America
with coasts in the Pacific and Atlantic Ocean (Caribbean Sea)

3. PATTERN SYMBOLS
The most important moments in the history of the country, the heroes and their
independence are represented by the symbols, the flag, the shield and the anthem.
NATIONAL FLAG

In 1807 Francisco Miranda, one of the precursors of national independence, coined

the colors yellow, blue and red to represent the then territory in the path of
independence. Four years later the flag was adopted like insignia of the Great
Colombia and in 1813 (one thousand eight hundred and thirteen) ratified by the
liberator Simon Bolivar. In 1861 (one thousand eight hundred and sixty-one) it was
arranged that the stripes would be horizontal and the yellow color would occupy
the upper half of the flag.

The yellow color symbolizes the natural riches of Colombia, the blue the seas and
the red blood spilled by the heroes of independence. The day of the flag is
celebrated on 7 (seven) of August.

NATIONAL SHIELD

The Shield of our country has only had a change throughout history. The first shield
that Colombia had was designed by Carlos V in 1548 (fifteen hundred and forty-
eight) and is the one that at the moment identifies to Bogota. Francisco de Paula
Santander in 1861 (my eight hundred and sixty-one) was in charge of modifying it
by means of law 3 of 9 (nine) of May 1834 (one thousand eight hundred and thirty
four).
HYMNO NATIONAL

The National Anthem of Colombia was officialized by Law 33 (thirty-three) of 1920

(nineteen hundred and twenty). The lyrics of the anthem were written by Rafael
Nunez and the music by the Italian composer Oreste Sindici, to commemorate the
11 (eleven) of November Independence of Cartagena. The 11 of November of 1887
(one thousand eight hundred and eighty and seven) was sung for the first time in
public.

4. NATIONAL EMBLEMS
Emblems are chosen elements of nature, found in the geographical area of the
nation, and represent the natural wealth of the country.
NATIONAL FLOWER

The Orchid is the National Flower. Specifically, the variety called Cattleya Trianae.
It bears this name in honor of the Colombian naturalist Jose Jernimo Triana.
It was chosen as a National Flower according to a concept issued by the
Colombian Academy of History in 1936 (nineteen hundred and thirty six), even
though it has not been officially consecrated by law. The Colombian Orchids are
among the most beautiful in the world.
NATIONAL TREE

The Quindo Wax Palm is the National Tree of Colombia. Its scientific name is
"Ceroxylon Quindiuense". It is a palm tree of imposing beauty and extraordinary
strength. It is exclusive to the Colombian Andes. It reaches heights up to 70
(seventy) meters. It was officially adopted as a patriotic symbol by Law 61 (sixty-
one) of 1985 (nineteen eighty-five)
NATIONAL AVE

The condor of the Andes is the emblematic bird of the shield of Colombia; Is the
largest flying bird in the world. With its wings unfolded it reaches 3.4 (three coma
four) meters and its length from peak to tail is 1.6 (one coma six) meters. Its weight
can reach up to 12 (twelve) kilograms. It is seen as a symbol of strength and
health.

5. REGIONS OF COLOMBIA
Colombia is divided into five major Regions according to their location, within which
are the 32 (thirty-two) departments that constitute its territorial division:
ANDEAN REGION

Formed by the ten departments that are in the central part of the Country, located
on the Western, Central and Eastern Cordilleras, branches of the Cordillera de los
Andes in Colombia, which have no limits with the Caribbean Sea or with the
Atlantic Ocean : Antioquia, Boyac, Caldas, Cundinamarca, Huila, Norte de
Santander, Quindo, Risaralda, Santander and Tolima.

AMAZON REGION

It is the largest, but also the least populated region of Colombia, is made up of the
six departments located in the Southeast of the country, on the borders with Brazil,
Ecuador and Peru, in the area of influence of the Amazon River and lung Of the
world the Amazon Forest, from which it receives its name, these departments are:
Amazonas, Caquet, Guaina, Guaviare, Putumayo and Vaups.

CAR CARIBBEAN REGION

It consists of eight (8) departments located in the northern part of the country,
bordering the Caribbean Sea, one of which lies within the territorial sea of
Colombia; The only department in this region that has no limits with the Caribbean
Sea is that of Cesar; The departments of this region are: Atlntico, Bolvar, Cesar,
Crdoba, La Guajira, Magdalena, Sucre and the department formed by the
archipelago of the Islands of San Andrs, Providencia and Santa Catalina.
 OR REGION ORINOKIA

Also known as the Eastern Plains of Colombia, it is formed by the four (4)
departments located in the Eastern Central zone of Colombia, between the
piedmont of the Eastern Cordillera, the border with Venezuela and the Amazon
Region, its rivers form part Of the Orinoco River basin, from which its name
derives: Arauca, Casanare, Meta and Vichada.

PACIFIC REGION

It is formed by the four (4) departments bordering the Pacific Ocean, in the western
part and in the border with Ecuador in the southwestern part of Colombia, part of
its territory lies within the Western Cordillera, these departments are: Cauca,
Choco , Nario and Valle del Cauca.
INSULAR REGION

The insular region of Colombia is the set of Colombian marine islands far from the
continental coasts, such as the Archipelago of San Andrs and Providencia in the
Caribbean Sea and the Malpelo and Gorgona islands in the Pacific Ocean. In it do
not count the fluvial or lacustrine islands.

6. FLORA AND FAUNA

FLOWER

The flora of Colombia is very varied as well as its topography; These

characteristics are conducive to housing ecosystems, which in turn contribute to
the presence of the large number of species of flora in Colombia, which currently
has 45,000 (forty-five thousand) species of plants.

Along the Caribbean coast are mangrove swamps and coconut trees. In the woods
there are trees such as mahogany, palosanto, oak, walnut, cedar, pine and some
varieties of balm. Among the tropical plants are rubber, chewing gum, quinine,
vanilla, sarsaparilla, ginger, tonka bean and beaver bean.

FAUNA

Among the wild animals are the largest mammals in South America, such as the
jaguar, puma, tapir, anteater, lazy, armadillo and various species of monkeys and
deer. The lizards have been hunted intensively so they are now very scarce. Many
varieties of snakes inhabit the tropics. Among the birds are the condor, vulture,
toucan, cockatoo, crane, stork and hummingbird.
7. POPULATION

The greatest wealth of Colombia is made up of its population of almost 46 (forty-

six) million people, working people, enterprising, cordial, friendly, hospitable.
Constituted in the great majority by the mixture of the races White, Black and
Indigenous, being mestizos, mixture of White with Indigenous, with almost 60%
(sixty percent), the greater part of its population. There are still many indigenous
tribes, especially in the Amazon and Orinoquia regions, which still retain their
customs and traditions.
Colombia is a prosperous country of talented, humble, simple and hardworking
people; That time where the nation was considered as the black sheep of the world
was left behind.
The present and the future is Colombia and we are all Colombians; It is true, there
are still problems, but the reality is different and we continue to work with hope and
will to become the best destination in the world.

There are many reasons why Colombia has been improving dramatically. The
interior of the country breathes new air, violence and drug trafficking have been
neutralized, and on the outside our image is improving