2011 Edition

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 four-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. The insurgents lack the military or popular support necessary to overthrow the government, and violence has been decreasing since about 2002. However, insurgents continue attacks against civilians and large areas of the countryside are under guerrilla influence or are contested by security forces. More than 31,000 former paramilitaries had demobilized by the end of 2006 and the United Self Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC) 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 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. However, neighboring countries worry about the violence spilling over their borders. In January 2011, Colombia assumed a nonpermanent seat on the UN Security Council for the 2011-12 term.

Area

1,138,910 sq km 1,038,700 sq km 100,210 sq km includes Isla de Malpelo, Roncador Cay, and Serrana Bank

total

1,138,910 sq km

water

100,210 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly less than twice the size of Texas

Climate

tropical along coast and eastern plains; cooler in highlands

Coastline

3,208 km (Caribbean Sea 1,760 km, North Pacific Ocean 1,448 km)

Elevation extremes

Pacific Ocean 0 m Pico Cristobal Colon 5,775 m nearby Pico Simon Bolivar also has the same elevation

highest point

Pico Cristobal Colon 5,775 m

lowest point

Pacific Ocean 0 m

Environment - current issues

deforestation; soil and water quality damage from overuse of pesticides; air pollution, especially in Bogota, from vehicle emissions

Environment - international agreements

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 Law of the Sea

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

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

10.71 cu km/yr (50%/4%/46%) 235 cu m/yr (2000)

per capita

235 cu m/yr (2000)

total

10.71 cu km/yr (50%/4%/46%)

Geographic coordinates

4 00 N, 72 00 W

Geography - note

only South American country with coastlines on both the North Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea

Irrigated land

9,000 sq km (2008)

Land boundaries

6,309 km Brazil 1,644 km, Ecuador 590 km, Panama 225 km, Peru 1,800 km, Venezuela 2,050 km

border countries

Brazil 1,644 km, Ecuador 590 km, Panama 225 km, Peru 1,800 km, Venezuela 2,050 km

total

6,309 km

Land use

2.01% 1.37% 96.62% (2005)

arable land

2.01%

other

96.62% (2005)

permanent crops

1.37%

Location

Northern South America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Panama and Venezuela, and bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between Ecuador and Panama

Map references

South America

Maritime claims

12 nm 200 nm 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation

continental shelf

200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation

exclusive economic zone

200 nm

territorial sea

12 nm

Natural hazards

highlands subject to volcanic eruptions; occasional earthquakes; periodic droughts 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

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

Natural resources

petroleum, natural gas, coal, iron ore, nickel, gold, copper, emeralds, hydropower

Terrain

flat coastal lowlands, central highlands, high Andes Mountains, eastern lowland plains

Total renewable water resources

2,132 cu km (2000)

Age structure

26.7% (male 6,109,495/female 5,834,273) 67.2% (male 14,826,008/female 15,208,799) 6.1% (male 1,159,691/female 1,587,277) (2011 est.)

0-14 years

26.7% (male 6,109,495/female 5,834,273)

15-64 years

67.2% (male 14,826,008/female 15,208,799)

65 years and over

6.1% (male 1,159,691/female 1,587,277) (2011 est.)

Birth rate

17.49 births/1,000 population (2011 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

5.1% (2005)

Death rate

5.26 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.)

Drinking water source

urban: 99% of population rural: 73% of population total: 92% of population urban: 1% of population rural: 27% of population total: 8% of population (2008)

rural

27% of population

total

8% of population (2008)

urban

1% of population

Education expenditures

4.8% of GDP (2009)

Ethnic groups

mestizo 58%, white 20%, mulatto 14%, black 4%, mixed black-Amerindian 3%, Amerindian 1%

Health expenditures

6.4% of GDP (2009)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.5% (2009 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

14,000 (2009 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

160,000 (2009 est.)

Hospital bed density

1 beds/1,000 population (2007)

Infant mortality rate

16.39 deaths/1,000 live births 19.92 deaths/1,000 live births 12.65 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

female

12.65 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

total

16.39 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Spanish (official)

Life expectancy at birth

74.55 years 71.27 years 78.03 years (2011 est.)

female

78.03 years (2011 est.)

total population

74.55 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 90.4% 90.1% 90.7% (2005 census)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

90.7% (2005 census)

male

90.1%

total population

90.4%

Major cities - population

BOGOTA (capital) 8.262 million; Medellin 3.497 million; Cali 2.352 million; Barranquilla 1.836 million; Bucaramanga 1.065 million (2009)

Major infectious diseases

high bacterial diarrhea dengue fever, malaria, and yellow fever leptospirosis (2009)

degree of risk

high

food or waterborne diseases

bacterial diarrhea

vectorborne diseases

dengue fever, malaria, and yellow fever

water contact disease

leptospirosis (2009)

Maternal mortality rate

85 deaths/100,000 live births (2008)

Median age

28 years 27 years 28.9 years (2011 est.)

female

28.9 years (2011 est.)

male

27 years

total

28 years

Nationality

Colombian(s) Colombian

adjective

Colombian

noun

Colombian(s)

Net migration rate

-0.67 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

13.7% (2007)

Physicians density

1.35 physicians/1,000 population (2002)

Population

44,725,543 (July 2011 est.)

Population growth rate

1.156% (2011 est.)

Religions

Roman Catholic 90%, other 10%

Sanitation facility access

urban: 81% of population rural: 55% of population total: 74% of population urban: 19% of population rural: 45% of population total: 26% of population (2008)

rural

45% of population

total

26% of population (2008)

urban

19% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

14 years 13 years 14 years (2009)

female

14 years (2009)

male

13 years

total

14 years

Sex ratio

1.06 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 0.97 male(s)/female 0.74 male(s)/female 0.98 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

15-64 years

0.97 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.74 male(s)/female

at birth

1.06 male(s)/female

total population

0.98 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

under 15 years

1.05 male(s)/female

Total fertility rate

2.15 children born/woman (2011 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

23% 18.2% 29.9% (2008)

female

29.9% (2008)

total

23%

Urbanization

75% of total population (2010) 1.7% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

1.7% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

75% of total population (2010)

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, San Andres y Providencia, Santander, Sucre, Tolima, Valle del Cauca, Vaupes, Vichada

Capital

Bogota 4 36 N, 74 05 W UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC during Standard Time)

geographic coordinates

4 36 N, 74 05 W

name

Bogota

time difference

UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution

5 July 1991; amended many times

Country name

Republic of Colombia Colombia Republica de Colombia Colombia

conventional long form

Republic of Colombia

conventional short form

Colombia

local long form

Republica de Colombia

local short form

Colombia

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador Michael MCKINLEY Calle 24 Bis No. 48-50, Bogota, D.C. Carrera 45 No. 24B-27, Bogota, D.C. [57] (1) 315-0811 [57] (1) 315-2197

chief of mission

Ambassador Michael MCKINLEY

embassy

Calle 24 Bis No. 48-50, Bogota, D.C.

FAX

[57] (1) 315-2197

mailing address

Carrera 45 No. 24B-27, Bogota, D.C.

telephone

[57] (1) 315-0811

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Gabriel SILVA Lujan 2118 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 387-8338 [1] (202) 232-8643 Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco, San Juan (Puerto Rico), Washington, DC

chancery

2118 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador Gabriel SILVA Lujan

consulate(s) general

Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco, San Juan (Puerto Rico), Washington, DC

FAX

[1] (202) 232-8643

telephone

[1] (202) 387-8338

Executive branch

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 President Juan Manuel SANTOS Calderon (since 7 August 2010); Vice President Angelino GARZON (since 7 August 2010) Cabinet appointed by the president 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) Juan Manuel SANTOS Calderon elected president in runoff election; percent of vote - Juan Manuel SANTOS Calderon 69.06%, Antanas MOCKUS 27.52%

cabinet

Cabinet appointed by the president

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

election results

Juan Manuel SANTOS Calderon elected president in runoff election; percent of vote - Juan Manuel SANTOS Calderon 69.06%, Antanas MOCKUS 27.52%

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)

head of government

President Juan Manuel SANTOS Calderon (since 7 August 2010); Vice President Angelino GARZON (since 7 August 2010)

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 Columbia, 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 similar to the flag of Ecuador, which is longer and bears the Ecuadorian coat of arms superimposed in the center

three horizontal bands of yellow (top, double-width), blue, and red; the flag retains the three main colors of the banner of Gran Columbia, the short-lived South American republic that broke up in 1830; various interpretations of the colors exist and incl

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

Government type

republic; executive branch dominates government structure

Independence

20 July 1810 (from Spain)

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International organization participation

BCIE, CAN, Caricom (observer), CDB, FAO, G-3, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur (associate), MIGA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch

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)

Legal system

civil law system influenced by the Spanish and French civil codes

Legislative branch

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) 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) 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

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

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)

National anthem

"Himno Nacional de la Republica de Colombia" (National Anthem of the Republic of Colombia) Rafael NUNEZ/Oreste SINDICI adopted 1920; the anthem was created from an inspirational poem written by President Rafael NUNEZ

lyrics/music

Rafael NUNEZ/Oreste SINDICI

name

"Himno Nacional de la Republica de Colombia" (National Anthem of the Republic of Colombia)

National holiday

Independence Day, 20 July (1810)

National symbol(s)

Andean condor

Political parties and leaders

Alternative Democratic Pole or PDA [Clara LOPEZ]; Conservative Party or PC [Fernando ARAUJO]; Green Party [Luis GARZON]; Liberal Party or PL [Rafael PARDO]; National Integration Party or PIN [Angel ALIRIO Moreno]; Radical Change or CR [German VARGAS Lleras]; Social National Unity Party or U Party [Juan Francisco LOZANO Ramirez] Colombia has seven 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 FARC and ELN are the two largest insurgent groups active in Colombia

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

coffee, cut flowers, bananas, rice, tobacco, corn, sugarcane, cocoa beans, oilseed, vegetables; forest products; shrimp

Budget

$73.24 billion $80.79 billion (2010 est.)

expenditures

$80.79 billion (2010 est.)

revenues

$73.24 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-2.6% of GDP (2011 est.)

Central bank discount rate

5% (31 December 2010 est.) 5.5% (31 December 2009 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

9.383% (31 December 2010 est.) 13.008% (31 December 2009 est.)

Current account balance

-$8.943 billion (2010 est.) -$5.141 billion (2009 est.)

Debt - external

$68.94 billion (30 June 2011 est.) $62.11 billion (31 December 2010 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

58.5 (2009) 53.8 (1996)

Economy - overview

The SANTOS administration has highlighted five "locomotives" to stimulate economic growth: extractive industries; agriculture; infrastructure; housing; and innovation. Colombia is third largest exporter of oil to the United States. President SANTOS, inaugurated in August 2010, introduced unprecedented legislation to better distribute extractive industry royalties and compensate Colombians who lost their land due to decades of violence. He also seeks to build on improvements in domestic security and on President URIBE's promarket economic policies. Foreign direct investment reached a record $10 billion in 2008, but dropped to $7.2 billion in 2009, before beginning to recover in 2010, notably in the oil sector. Pro-business reforms in the oil and gas sectors and export-led growth, fueled mainly by the Andean Trade Promotion and Drug Eradication Act, have enhanced Colombia's investment climate. Inequality, underemployment, and narcotrafficking remain significant challenges, and Colombia's infrastructure requires major improvements to sustain economic expansion. Because of the global financial crisis and weakening demand for Colombia's exports, Colombia's economy grew only 2.7% in 2008, and 0.8% in 2009 but rebounded to around 4.4% in 2010. In late 2010, Colombia experienced its most severe flooding in decades, with damages estimated to exceed $6 billion. The government has encouraged exporters to diversify their customer base beyond the United States and Venezuela, traditionally Colombia's largest trading partners; the SANTOS administration continues to pursue free trade agreements with Asian and South American partners and a trade accord with Canada is expected to go into effect in 2011, while a negotiated trade agreement with the EU has yet to be approved by the EU parliament. Improved relations with Venezuela have eased worries about restrictions on bilateral trade, but the business sector remains concerned about the pending US Congressional approval of the US-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement.

The SANTOS administration has highlighted five "locomotives" to stimulate economic growth

extractive industries; agriculture; infrastructure; housing; and innovation. Colombia is third largest exporter of oil to the United States. President SANTOS, inaugurated in August 2010, introduced unprecedented legislation to better distribute extractive industry royalties and compensate Colombians who lost their land due to decades of violence. He also seeks to build on improvements in domestic security and on President URIBE's promarket economic policies. Foreign direct investment reached a record $10 billion in 2008, but dropped to $7.2 billion in 2009, before beginning to recover in 2010, notably in the oil sector. Pro-business reforms in the oil and gas sectors and export-led growth, fueled mainly by the Andean Trade Promotion and Drug Eradication Act, have enhanced Colombia's investment climate. Inequality, underemployment, and narcotrafficking remain significant challenges, and Colombia's infrastructure requires major improvements to sustain economic expansion. Because of the global financial crisis and weakening demand for Colombia's exports, Colombia's economy grew only 2.7% in 2008, and 0.8% in 2009 but rebounded to around 4.4% in 2010. In late 2010, Colombia experienced its most severe flooding in decades, with damages estimated to exceed $6 billion. The government has encouraged exporters to diversify their customer base beyond the United States and Venezuela, traditionally Colombia's largest trading partners; the SANTOS administration continues to pursue free trade agreements with Asian and South American partners and a trade accord with Canada is expected to go into effect in 2011, while a negotiated trade agreement with the EU has yet to be approved by the EU parliament. Improved relations with Venezuela have eased worries about restrictions on bilateral trade, but the business sector remains concerned about the pending US Congressional approval of the US-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement.

Electricity - consumption

38.82 billion kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - exports

1.473 billion kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - imports

1.396 billion kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - production

51.01 billion kWh (2008 est.)

Exchange rates

Colombian pesos (COP) per US dollar - 1,869.9 (2010) 2,157.6 (2009) 2,243.6 (2008) 2,013.8 (2007) 2,358.6 (2006)

Exports

$40.78 billion (2010 est.) $34.03 billion (2009 est.)

Exports - commodities

petroleum, coffee, coal, nickel, emeralds, apparel, bananas, cut flowers

Exports - partners

US 42%, EU 12.6%, China 5.2%, Ecuador 4.5% (2010 est.)

GDP - composition by sector

9.2% 37.6% 53.1% (2010 est.)

agriculture

9.2%

industry

37.6%

services

53.1% (2010 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$9,800 (2010 est.) $9,600 (2009 est.) $9,500 (2008 est.) data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

4.3% (2010 est.) 1.5% (2009 est.) 3.5% (2008 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$285.5 billion (2010 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$435.4 billion (2010 est.) $417.4 billion (2009 est.) $411.4 billion (2008 est.) data are in 2010 US dollars

Household income or consumption by percentage share

0.8% 45% (2008)

highest 10%

45% (2008)

lowest 10%

0.8%

Imports

$38.64 billion (2010 est.) $31.48 billion (2009 est.)

Imports - commodities

industrial equipment, transportation equipment, consumer goods, chemicals, paper products, fuels, electricity

Imports - partners

US 25.5%, China 13.4%, Mexico 9.4%, Brazil 5.9%, Germany 4.1% (2010 est.)

Industrial production growth rate

4.8% (2010 est.)

Industries

textiles, food processing, oil, clothing and footwear, beverages, chemicals, cement; gold, coal, emeralds

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

2.3% (2010 est.) 4.2% (2009 est.)

Investment (gross fixed)

22.4% of GDP (2010 est.)

Labor force

21.78 million (2010 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

18% 13% 68% (2010 est.)

agriculture

18%

industry

13%

services

68% (2010 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$208.5 billion (31 December 2010) $133.3 billion (31 December 2009) $87.03 billion (31 December 2008)

Natural gas - consumption

8.69 billion cu m (2009 est.)

Natural gas - exports

1.8 billion cu m (2009 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2009 est.)

Natural gas - production

10.49 billion cu m (2009 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

113.3 billion cu m (1 January 2011 est.)

Oil - consumption

296,000 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Oil - exports

400,700 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Oil - imports

6,045 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Oil - production

800,100 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Oil - proved reserves

1.9 billion bbl (1 January 2011 est.)

Population below poverty line

45.5% (2009)

Public debt

45.3% of GDP (2010 est.) 44.8% of GDP (2009 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$28.08 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $24.99 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of broad money

$103.7 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $90.59 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$22.77 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $16.27 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$82.42 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $75.09 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$120.1 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $102 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$32.42 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $25.77 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

25.7% of GDP (2011 est.)

Unemployment rate

11.8% (2010 est.) 12% (2009 est.)

Broadcast media

combination of state-owned and privately-owned broadcast media provide service; more than 500 radio stations and large number of national, regional, and local TV stations (2007)

Internet country code

.co

Internet hosts

2.527 million (2010)

Internet users

22.538 million (2009)

Telephone system

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 fixed-line connections stand at about 15 per 100 persons; mobile cellular telephone subscribership is about 90 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 country code - 57; landing points for the ARCOS, Colombia-Florida Subsea Fiber (CFX-1), Maya-1, Pan American, and the South America-1 submarine cables providing 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) (2009)

domestic

fixed-line connections stand at about 15 per 100 persons; mobile cellular telephone subscribership is about 90 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

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

international

country code - 57; landing points for the ARCOS, Colombia-Florida Subsea Fiber (CFX-1), Maya-1, Pan American, and the South America-1 submarine cables providing 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) (2009)

Telephones - main lines in use

6.809 million (2010)

Telephones - mobile cellular

43.405 million (2010)

Airports

990 (2010)

Airports - with paved runways

15 (2010)

1,524 to 2,437 m

41

2,438 to 3,047 m

8

914 to 1,523 m

50

over 3,047 m

2

total

116

under 914 m

15 (2010)

Airports - with unpaved runways

610 (2010)

1,524 to 2,437 m

35

914 to 1,523 m

228

over 3,047 m

1

total

874

under 914 m

610 (2010)

Heliports

2 (2010)

Merchant marine

cargo 11, petroleum tanker 1, specialized tanker 1 3 (Antigua and Barbuda 1, Panama 2) (2010)

registered in other countries

3 (Antigua and Barbuda 1, Panama 2) (2010)

total

13

Pipelines

gas 4,801 km; oil 6,334 km; refined products 3,309 km (2010)

Ports and terminals

Barranquilla, Buenaventura, Cartagena, Puerto Bolivar, Santa Marta, Turbo Covenas offshore terminal

oil terminals

Covenas offshore terminal

Railways

874 km 150 km 1.435-m gauge 498 km 0.950-m gauge; 226 km 0.914-m gauge (2010)

narrow gauge

498 km 0.950-m gauge; 226 km 0.914-m gauge (2010)

total

874 km

Roadways

141,374 km (2010)

total

141,374 km (2010)

Waterways

18,000 km (2010)

Manpower available for military service

11,692,647 11,727,625 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

11,727,625 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

11,692,647

Manpower fit for military service

9,150,400 9,861,760 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

9,861,760 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

9,150,400

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

430,634 413,974 (2010 est.)

female

413,974 (2010 est.)

male

430,634

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) (2011)

Military expenditures

3.4% of GDP (2005 est.)

Military service age and obligation

18-24 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service; service obligation - 18 months (2004)

Disputes - international

in December 2007, ICJ allocates San Andres, Providencia, and Santa Catalina islands to Colombia under 1928 Treaty but does 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

Illicit drugs

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 (2011)

Refugees and internally displaced persons

1.8-3.5 million (conflict between government and illegal armed groups and drug traffickers) (2007)

IDPs

1.8-3.5 million (conflict between government and illegal armed groups and drug traffickers) (2007)