Colombia Interesting Facts: 55 Things You Should Know Before Visiting

Do you know that Colombia is the second-most biodiverse country in the world? In this article, we have a lot more Colombia interesting facts for you to know better and understand this wonderful destination.

If you are interested in traveling to Colombia, home to lush rainforests, coffee plantations, beautiful beaches, and towering mountains, this article will give you the facts that may just inspire you to pack up your bags and travel there this year.

Here are a few tidbits of information about the wonderful country of Colombia.

Introducing Colombia

Located in South America, the Republic of Colombia has diverse landscapes and cultures, making the country an intriguing place for foreigners. This Latin American country was named after Christopher Colombus, a Spanish explorer who led the country’s colonization. 

There was a time when Colombia was considered dangerous for tourists. That perception was further enhanced by the dramatization of the Colombian drug mafia and rebel groups in various shows and movies. However, things have dramatically improved since then.

The Colombian government has made significant progress in making the country safe and peaceful in recent years. At the same time, they’ve been securing agreements with revolutionary groups and minimizing the crime rate. The government has also leveraged the country’s diverse and scenic landscape to promote tourism.

If you are planning a vacation soon, the alluring beauty of the country with its untouched nature, vibrant city life, scenic views, and amazing food might tempt you to add Colombia to the top of your bucket list.

55 Interesting Facts About Colombia

National Facts About Colombia

1. Colombia’s official name is the Republic of Colombia. It is named after Christopher Columbus, the famous Italian explorer, and navigator.

2. Until the 15^th century, the area of modern-day Colombia was home to the indigenous tribes of Tairona, Muisca, and Quimbaya. In 1499, the Spaniards invaded and colonized the region. It was, then, named New Granada.

3. The colony broke up, and in 1886, the Republic of Colombia was formed.

4. The flag of Colombia is red, yellow, and blue. The red and yellow have been adapted from the Spanish flag, while the blue stripe depicts the ocean separating Spain and Colombia.

5. Many people mistakenly spell Colombia as Columbia. Colombia is derived from Spanish, while Columbia is from English. Locals may feel offended by this mistake. As a popular tourism meme, the “U” in Colombia should only be YOU.

6. According to archaeologists, humans settled in Colombia around 20,000 years ago. 

7. Colombia is the 25^th largest country in the world. It is twice the size of Spain or France.

8. Colombia’s national sport is Tejo. It entails launching an object at a target to create a small explosion. Soccer is the country’s most popular sport. The Colombian national team came out the winner in the 2001 South American Championship.

Geographic and Cultural Facts About Colombia

9. Colombia is still the home to 102 indigenous groups living in the rural regions.

10. Colombia shares borders with five countries; Brazil, Peru, Venezuela, Ecuador, and Panama.

11. Colombia lies above the Pacific Ring of Fire, a 40,000-km long ring with more than 450 volcanoes. 

12. Colombia is one of the 17 most megadiverse countries worldwide. It is the second-most biodiverse country in the world, second only to Brazil, which is 10 times the size of Colombia. The country is home to the highest number of species by area, with the number of bird species higher than in North America and Europe combined.

13. Colombia is an ethnically diverse country. The local population is a mix of descendants from the Middle East, Spain, Europe, and Africa, so there is no dominant skin color in the country.

14. Interestingly, there are more Spanish speakers in Colombia (99.2%) than in Spain (99%). It has the second-biggest percentage of Spanish-speaking people, the top being Mexico.

15. The Amazon River in Colombia is home to one of the rarest species of dolphins, the pink river dolphins, which are currently regarded as an endangered species.

16. Colombia is the only South American country with coastlines on the Caribbean and Pacific coasts.

17. Lying in the equatorial region, Colombia has tropical weather. The temperature does not change much during the year, and the only 2 kinds of weather it gets are the rainy and dry seasons.

18. Almost one-third of the area in Colombia is covered with the lush Amazon rainforests. Other countries in the Amazon region include Brazil, Ecuador, Bolivia, Peru, Venezuela, Guyana, and Suriname. The Amazon rainforests are the largest rainforest in the world and home to 400 different tribes. Almost 60% of the rainforest lies in Brazil, while Peru constitutes 13%.

Interesting Places and Sites About Colombia

19. The Lost City or the Ciudad Perdida in the Sierra Nevada Mountains is an ancient city built of mountain terraces. It’s a holy city, only reachable if you’re willing to endure a 4-day hike.

20. El Dorado is a mythological city in primordial Colombia. According to the myth, the king used to spray him with gold powder and jumped into the sea from a golden boat to placate an undersea God.

21. The highest waterfall in Colombia is La Chorrera Falls. The 590-meter-high waterfall is located near Bogota.

22. The Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta in Colombia is the highest coastal mountain range in the world. Its height is 5,775 m (18,947 ft). 

23. Bogota is one of the highest cities in the world, at 8,360 feet above sea level.

24. The Los Nevados National Park in Colombia, where you can hike in the Cocora Valley, is home to the famous wax palm trees. These are the tallest palm trees globally and grow to a height of around 45 meters.

25. The northeastern desert in Colombia, the La Guajira, resembles the lunar landscape with its empty terrain and reddish rock formations. The region is mostly occupied by indigenous groups, and guided excursions are a popular tourist activity.

26. The miraculous Caño Cristales is located in the Meta province in Serrania de la Macarena. Also named Liquid Rainbow or River of Five Colors, the river changes colors from red, blue, black, yellow, and green from July to November. 

Trade and Commerce in Colombia

27. Colombia is the third-largest exporter of coffee worldwide. The top 2 are Brazil and Vietnam, respectively. The Colombian coffee plantation region was declared a UN Heritage site. If you want to visit a coffee farm, make sure to visit Salento.

28. Even children drink coffee in Colombia. While coffee is not considered suitable for kids in most countries, that is not the case in Colombia. 

29. Colombia has the largest reserve of emeralds and is the number 1 emerald exporter worldwide. 

30. Colombia is the second biggest exporter of flowers. The climate of Colombia is ideal for the cultivation of roses. The US procures around 4 billion roses from Colombia for Valentine’s Day every year.

31. The national drink of Colombia is Aguardiente. The drink is made from caramelizing sugar cane syrup and served with lemon and cheese.

32. Another popular drink is oatmeal juice or Avena.

33. The most popular breakfast dish in the country is Changua, a milk soup with partially cooked egg.

34. The most popular and commonly found dish in Colombia is Bandeja Paisa. The dish is made of ground beef mixed with fried pork, beans, plantain, rice, fried egg, sausages, and arepas.

35. Colombians like to drink their coffee with cheese; some even add a block of salted cheese to their coffee.

36. You will find more than 400 types of fruits in Colombia, including pineapple, mango, lime, banana, and avocado. Among the many exotic varieties are passion fruit, dragon fruit, golden berry, lulo, and boroja.

Fun Facts About Colombia

37. Colombian radio and public television are mandated to play the national anthem daily at 6 am and 6 pm. 

38. The country has 18 public holidays each year.

39. Colombia is one of the happiest countries in the world. The country was awarded the title of the no. 1 happiest country in the world in 2013 and 2014, while in other years, it is always among the top-ranked countries.

40. Colombia has around 60 national parks, constituting around 10% of the country’s area. The Tayrona National Park is one of the most famous national parks in the world. Located along the Caribbean coast, it is home to some of the most beautiful beaches and offers a view of the majestic Sierra Nevada Mountains. 

41. Colombia holds the second largest carnival celebration in South America. The carnival is held in Barranquilla in the Caribbean coastal region. The festival features parades and dancing and reflects Caribbean culture and traditions. 

42. Colombia hosts the largest theater festival in the world, the Iberoamericana. The 17-day concerts, circus, and arts festival is held in Bogota.

43. The Black and White festival or the Carnival of Negros Y Blancas is held in January to celebrate diversity. The festival is endorsed by the UN.

44. Colombia is home to some legendary singers, including Shakira and Grammy award winners Carlos Vives and Juanes. 

45. Colombians have a special reverence for music and dancing, and many dance forms, particularly salsa, are popular across the country. The only local dance is Cumbia, while all the other styles have been adapted.

46. Colombia has the longest bicycle route in South America; Altro de Letras. It is 300 km long and entails an 80 km long, tedious climb.

47. Besides being one of the highest cities, Bogota is famous for its street art and graffiti. The illustrations depict heritage, social issues, protests, and cartoon characters. It’s one of the great things to see and do in Bogota.

48. 53% of bosses and management in Colombia are women. The only country with a higher percentage is Jamaica, where 59% of bosses are women.

49. Colombia ranks fourth for cosmetic enhancements in the world. The rates for procedures are also quite reasonable, which is why many foreigners rush to the country to get a cosmetic enhancement procedure at lower rates. 

50. Alcohol is banned during important events, such as elections or sporting events like the World cup.

51. Colombia was the home of Pablo Escobar, the King of coke. He collected more than $420 million every week in revenues during his time.

52. Colombia is also home to the Nobel Prize laureate Gabriel Garcia Marquez. He was a close friend of Fidel Castro.

53. When a girl turns 15, it is considered a big deal. A party is held called the Fiesta De Quince, while the occasion is called La Quinceanera. People give gold to the girl.

54. It is common courtesy to shake hands when meeting or departing. If you meet a woman, you should wait for her to extend her hand.

55. The family is the nucleus of the Colombian social structure. The father is considered the head of the family, while the mother takes care of the children and house chores. 

Conclusion – Colombia Interesting Facts

Reading these fun facts will help you form an intriguing picture of your next destination in your head. So, start packing for Colombia, and you will surely add more wonderful bits of information about this fascinating country.

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