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Colombia
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Introduction ::Colombia
Background:
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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 anti-government 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 October 2012, the Colombian Government started formal peace negotiations with the FARC aimed at reaching a definitive bilateral ceasefire 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.
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Geography ::Colombia
Location:
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Northern South America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Panama and Venezuela, and bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between Ecuador and Panama
Geographic coordinates:
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4 00 N, 72 00 W
Map references:
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South America
Area:
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total: 1,138,910 sq km
country comparison to the world: 26
land: 1,038,700 sq km
water: 100,210 sq km
note: includes Isla de Malpelo, Roncador Cay, and Serrana Bank
Area - comparative:
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slightly less than twice the size of Texas
Land boundaries:
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total: 6,309 km
border countries: Brazil 1,644 km, Ecuador 590 km, Panama 225 km, Peru 1,800 km, Venezuela 2,050 km
Coastline:
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3,208 km (Caribbean Sea 1,760 km, North Pacific Ocean 1,448 km)
Maritime claims:
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territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation
Climate:
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tropical along coast and eastern plains; cooler in highlands
Terrain:
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flat coastal lowlands, central highlands, high Andes Mountains, eastern lowland plains
Elevation extremes:
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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:
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petroleum, natural gas, coal, iron ore, nickel, gold, copper, emeralds, hydropower
Land use:
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arable land: 1.84%
permanent crops: 1.66%
other: 96.5% (2011)
Irrigated land:
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10,870 sq km (2011)
Total renewable water resources:
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2,132 cu km (2011)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
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total: 12.65 cu km/yr (55%/4%/41%)
per capita: 308 cu m/yr (2010)
Natural hazards:
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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 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:
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deforestation; soil and water quality damage from overuse of pesticides; air pollution, especially in Bogota, from vehicle emissions
Environment - international agreements:
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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:
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only South American country with coastlines on both the North Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea
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People and Society ::Colombia
Nationality:
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noun: Colombian(s)
adjective: Colombian
Ethnic groups:
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mestizo 58%, white 20%, mulatto 14%, black 4%, mixed black-Amerindian 3%, Amerindian 1%
Languages:
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Spanish (official)
Religions:
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Roman Catholic 90%, other 10%
Demographic profile:
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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 undercount actual numbers because many internally displaced persons are not 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:
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45,745,783 (July 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 29
Age structure:
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0-14 years: 25.8% (male 6,032,725/female 5,755,437)
15-24 years: 18.2% (male 4,241,621/female 4,101,552)
25-54 years: 41.5% (male 9,376,745/female 9,597,744)
55-64 years: 8% (male 1,705,451/female 1,962,606)
65 years and over: 6.5% (male 1,242,980/female 1,728,922) (2013 est.)
population pyramid:
Median age:
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total: 28.3 years
male: 27.3 years
female: 29.2 years (2012 est.)
Population growth rate:
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1.128% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 104
Birth rate:
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17.23 births/1,000 population (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 117
Death rate:
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5.29 deaths/1,000 population (July 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 177
Net migration rate:
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-0.66 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 144
Urbanization:
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urban population: 75% of total population (2010)
rate of urbanization: 1.7% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
Major cities - population:
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BOGOTA (capital) 8.262 million; Medellin 3.497 million; Cali 2.352 million; Barranquilla 1.836 million; Bucaramanga 1.065 million (2009)
Sex ratio:
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at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.72 male(s)/female
total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2011 est.)
Maternal mortality rate:
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92 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)
country comparison to the world: 80
Infant mortality rate:
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total: 15.92 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 106
male: 19.34 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 12.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
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total population: 74.79 years
country comparison to the world: 98
male: 71.55 years
female: 78.23 years (2012 est.)
Total fertility rate:
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2.1 children born/woman (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 111
Health expenditures:
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7.6% of GDP (2010)
country comparison to the world: 71
Physicians density:
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1.35 physicians/1,000 population (2002)
Hospital bed density:
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1 beds/1,000 population (2007)
Drinking water source:
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improved:
urban: 99% of population
rural: 72% of population
total: 92% of population
unimproved:
urban: 1% of population
rural: 28% of population
total: 8% of population (2010 est.)
Sanitation facility access:
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improved:
urban: 82% of population
rural: 63% of population
total: 77% of population
unimproved:
urban: 18% of population
rural: 37% of population
total: 23% of population (2010 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
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0.5% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 65
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
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160,000 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 32
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
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14,000 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 22
Major infectious diseases:
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degree of risk: high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea
vectorborne diseases: dengue fever, malaria, and yellow fever
water contact disease: leptospirosis (2009)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate:
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13.7% (2007)
country comparison to the world: 42
Children under the age of 5 years underweight:
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3.4% (2010)
country comparison to the world: 106
Education expenditures:
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4.5% of GDP (2011)
country comparison to the world: 93
Literacy:
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definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 90.4%
male: 90.1%
female: 90.7% (2005 census)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
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total: 14 years
male: 13 years
female: 14 years (2009)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24:
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total: 23%
country comparison to the world: 41
male: 18.2%
female: 29.9% (2008)
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Government ::Colombia
Country name:
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conventional long form: Republic of Colombia
conventional short form: Colombia
local long form: Republica de Colombia
local short form: Colombia
Government type:
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republic; executive branch dominates government structure
Capital:
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name: Bogota
geographic coordinates: 4 36 N, 74 05 W
time difference: UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
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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:
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20 July 1810 (from Spain)
National holiday:
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Independence Day, 20 July (1810)
Constitution:
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5 July 1991; amended many times
Legal system:
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civil law system influenced by the Spanish and French civil codes
International law organization participation:
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has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Suffrage:
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18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
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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 the 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
(For more information visit the World Leaders website Opens in New Window)
elections: president and vice president elected by popular vote for a four-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 30 May 2010 with a runoff election 20 June 2010 (next to be held in May 2014)
election results: Juan Manuel SANTOS Calderon elected president in runoff election; percent of vote - Juan Manuel SANTOS Calderon 69.06%, Antanas MOCKUS 27.52%
Legislative branch:
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bicameral Congress or Congreso consists of the Senate or Senado (102 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) and the Chamber of Representatives or Camara de Representantes (166 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)
elections: Senate - last held on 14 March 2010 (next to be held in March 2014); Chamber of Representatives - last held on 14 March 2010 (next to be held in March 2014)
election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - U Party 28, PC 22, PL 16, PIN 9, CR 8, PDA 8, Green Party 5, other parties 5; Chamber of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - U Party 47, PC 37, PL 36, CR 16, PIN 12, PDA 4, Green Party 3, other parties 10; note - as of 1 January 2011, the Senate currently has 101 seats after one seat became vacant due to a PL senator losing their seat for illegal collusion with the FARC; the Chamber of Representatives also has one seat vacant after only 165 of the 166 candidates were credentialed
Judicial branch:
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four roughly coequal, supreme judicial organs; Supreme Court of Justice or Corte Suprema de Justicia (highest court of criminal law; judges are selected by their peers from the nominees of the Superior Judicial Council for eight-year terms); Council of State (highest court of administrative law; judges are selected from the nominees of the Superior Judicial Council for eight-year terms); Constitutional Court (guards integrity and supremacy of the constitution; rules on constitutionality of laws, amendments to the constitution, and international treaties); Superior Judicial Council (administers and disciplines the civilian judiciary; resolves jurisdictional conflicts arising between other courts; members are elected by three sister courts and Congress for eight-year terms)
Political parties and leaders:
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Alternative Democratic Pole or PDA [Clara LOPEZ]; Conservative Party or PC [Efrain CEPEDA Sarabia]; Green Party [Jorge LONDONO Ulloa; Enrique PENALOSA]; Liberal Party or PL [Simon GAVIRIA Munoz]; National Integration Party or PIN [Angel ALIRIO Moreno]; Radical Change or CR [Antonio GUERRA de la Espriella]; Social National Unity Party or U Party [Juan Francisco LOZANO Ramirez]
note: Colombia has seven major political parties, and numerous smaller movements
Political pressure groups and leaders:
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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:
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BCIE, BIS, CAN, Caricom (observer), CD, CDB, CELAC, FAO, G-3, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), 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, PCA, UN, UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNSC (temporary), UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
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chief of mission: Ambassador Carlos URRUTIA Valenzuela
chancery: 2118 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 387-8338
FAX: [1] (202) 232-8643
consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Beverly Hills (CA), Boston, Chicago, Houston, Miami, New York, San Francisco, San Juan (Puerto Rico)
consulate(s): Newark (NJ)
Diplomatic representation from the US:
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chief of mission: Ambassador Michael MCKINLEY
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:
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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):
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Andean condor
National anthem:
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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
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Economy ::Colombia
Economy - overview:
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Colombia's consistently sound economic policies and aggressive promotion of free trade agreements in recent years have bolstered its ability to face external shocks. Real GDP has grown more than 4% per year for the past three years, continuing almost a decade of strong economic performance. All three major ratings agencies have upgraded Colombia's government debt to investment grade. Nevertheless, Colombia depends heavily on oil exports, making it vulnerable to a drop in oil prices. Economic development is stymied by inadequate infrastructure, weakened further by recent flooding. Moreover, the unemployment rate of 10.3% in 2012 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. The US-Colombia Free Trade Agreement (FTA) was ratified by the US Congress in October 2011 and implemented in 2012. Colombia has signed or is negotiating FTAs with a number of other countries, including Canada, Chile, Mexico, Switzerland, the EU, Venezuela, South Korea, Turkey, Japan, China, Costa Rica, Panama, and Israel. Foreign direct investment - notably in the oil and gas sectors - reached a record $10 billion in 2008 but dropped to $7.2 billion in 2009, before beginning to recover in 2010, and reached a record high of nearly $16 billion in 2012. Colombia is the third largest Latin American exporter of oil to the United States, and the United States' largest source of imported coal. Inequality, underemployment, and narcotrafficking remain significant challenges, and Colombia's infrastructure requires major improvements to sustain economic expansion.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
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$500 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 29
$479.6 billion (2011 est.)
$452.8 billion (2010 est.)
note: data are in 2012 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
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$365.4 billion (2012 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
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4.3% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 75
5.9% (2011 est.)
4% (2010 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
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$10,700 (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 112
$10,400 (2011 est.)
$9,900 (2010 est.)
note: data are in 2012 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
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agriculture: 6.8%
industry: 38.1%
services: 55.1% (2012 est.)
Labor force:
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23.08 million (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 29
Labor force - by occupation:
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agriculture: 18%
industry: 13%
services: 68% (2011 est.)
Unemployment rate:
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10.3% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 111
10.8% (2011 est.)
Population below poverty line:
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34.1% (2011 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
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lowest 10%: 0.9%
highest 10%: 44.4% (2010 est.)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
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58.5 (2011)
country comparison to the world: 8
53.8 (1996)
Investment (gross fixed):
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24.1% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 58
Budget:
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revenues: $104.2 billion
expenditures: $106 billion (2012 est.)
Taxes and other revenues:
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28.5% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 106
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
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-0.5% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 52
Public debt:
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40.2% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 91
43.4% of GDP (2011 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
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
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3.2% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 83
3.4% (2011 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
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4.75% (31 December 2011)
country comparison to the world: 71
5% (31 December 2010)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
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12.7% (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 73
11.22% (31 December 2011 est.)
Stock of narrow money:
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$41.9 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 49
$35.45 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
Stock of broad money:
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$151.2 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 48
$119.8 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
Stock of domestic credit:
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$165.5 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 44
$131.1 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
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$201.3 billion (31 December 2011)
country comparison to the world: 34
$208.5 billion (31 December 2010)
$133.3 billion (31 December 2009)
Agriculture - products:
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coffee, cut flowers, bananas, rice, tobacco, corn, sugarcane, cocoa beans, oilseed, vegetables; shrimp; forest products
Industries:
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textiles, food processing, oil, clothing and footwear, beverages, chemicals, cement; gold, coal, emeralds
Industrial production growth rate:
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0% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 145
Current account balance:
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-$13.29 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 177
-$9.978 billion (2011 est.)
Exports:
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$59.96 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 55
$56.22 billion (2011 est.)
Exports - commodities:
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petroleum, coal, emeralds, coffee, nickel, cut flowers, bananas, apparel
Exports - partners:
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US 42%, Netherlands 4.7%, China 4.2% (2011)
Imports:
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$55.49 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 54
$50.73 billion (2011 est.)
Imports - commodities:
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industrial equipment, transportation equipment, consumer goods, chemicals, paper products, fuels, electricity
Imports - partners:
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US 29.2%, China 11.9%, Mexico 11.5%, Brazil 5.3% (2011)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
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$34.74 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 47
$31.91 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
Debt - external:
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$73.41 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 49
$70.04 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
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$111.5 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 37
$95.67 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
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$32.56 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 41
$31.12 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
Exchange rates:
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Colombian pesos (COP) per US dollar -
1,800.4 (2012 est.)
1,848 (2011 est.)
1,898.6 (2010 est.)
2,157.6 (2009)
2,243.6 (2008)
Fiscal year:
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calendar year
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Energy ::Colombia
Electricity - production:
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56.28 billion kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 47
Electricity - consumption:
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46.87 billion kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 48
Electricity - exports:
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1.294 billion kWh (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 51
Electricity - imports:
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8.22 billion kWh (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 29
Electricity - installed generating capacity:
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13.54 million kW (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 47
Electricity - from fossil fuels:
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
32.9% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 178
Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 69
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
66.6% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 25
Electricity - from other renewable sources:
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0.4% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 77
Crude oil - production:
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944,000 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 22
Crude oil - exports:
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777,900 bbl/day (2009)
country comparison to the world: 18
Crude oil - imports:
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10 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 85
Crude oil - proved reserves:
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2.417 billion bbl (1 January 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 34
Refined petroleum products - production:
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316,500 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 42
Refined petroleum products - consumption:
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287,000 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 45
Refined petroleum products - exports:
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
52,680 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 57
Refined petroleum products - imports:
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
6,045 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 148
Natural gas - production:
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11.26 billion cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 43
Natural gas - consumption:
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9.08 billion cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 51
Natural gas - exports:
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2.18 billion cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 39
Natural gas - imports:
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40,290 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 75
Natural gas - proved reserves:
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
134.1 billion cu m (1 January 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 51
Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
72.31 million Mt (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 46
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Communications ::Colombia
Telephones - main lines in use:
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
7.127 million (2011)
country comparison to the world: 26
Telephones - mobile cellular:
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
46.2 million (2011)
country comparison to the world: 29
Telephone system:
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
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:
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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)
Internet country code:
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
.co
Internet hosts:
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
4.41 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 24
Internet users:
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22.538 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 18
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Transportation ::Colombia
Airports:
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
862 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 8
Airports - with paved runways:
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total: 121
over 3,047 m: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 7
1,524 to 2,437 m: 41
914 to 1,523 m: 55
under 914 m: 16 (2012)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 741
over 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 25
914 to 1,523 m: 178
under 914 m: 537 (2012)
Heliports:
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2 (2012)
Pipelines:
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gas 4,801 km; oil 6,334 km; refined products 3,309 km (2010)
Railways:
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total: 874 km
country comparison to the world: 95
standard gauge: 150 km 1.435-m gauge
narrow gauge: 498 km 0.950-m gauge; 226 km 0.914-m gauge (2008)
Roadways:
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total: 141,374 km (2010)
country comparison to the world: 33
Waterways:
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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 the safe passage of cargo vessels and container barges) (2012)
country comparison to the world: 5
Merchant marine:
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 12
country comparison to the world: 105
by type: cargo 9, chemical tanker 1, petroleum tanker 2
registered in other countries: 4 (Antigua and Barbuda 1, Panama 2, Portugal 1) (2010)
Ports and terminals:
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Barranquilla, Buenaventura, Cartagena, Puerto Bolivar, Santa Marta, Turbo
oil terminals: Covenas offshore terminal
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Military ::Colombia
Military branches:
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
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) (2011)
Military service age and obligation:
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18-24 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service; service obligation - 18 months (2004)
Manpower available for military service:
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males age 16-49: 11,692,647
females age 16-49: 11,727,625 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
males age 16-49: 9,150,400
females age 16-49: 9,861,760 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
male: 430,634
female: 413,974 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
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3.8% of GDP (2012)
country comparison to the world: 26
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Transnational Issues ::Colombia
Disputes - international:
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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:
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IDPs: 3.9-5.5 million (conflict between government and illegal armed groups and drug traffickers since 1985) (2011)
Illicit drugs:
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illicit producer of coca, opium poppy, and cannabis; world's leading coca cultivator with 116,000 hectares in coca cultivation in 2009, a 3% decrease over 2008, producing a potential of 270 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 2010, aerial eradication dispensed herbicide to treat over 101,000 hectares combined with manual eradication of 61,000 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 (2008)
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