Colombia

Radio broadcast stations

AM 463, FM 35, shortwave 45 (1998 est.)

Radios

NA

Telephone system

modern system in many respects domestic: nationwide microwave radio relay system; domestic satellite system with 11 earth stations international: satellite earth stations--2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

Telephones

1.89 million (1986 est.)

Television broadcast stations

60 (includes seven low-power stations) (1997)

Televisions

5.5 million (1993 est.)

Agriculture--products

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

Budget

revenues: $26 billion (1996 est.) expenditures: $30 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1996 est.)

Currency

1 Colombian peso (Col$) = 100 centavos

Debt--external

$18 billion (1998 est.)

Economic aid--recipient

$40.7 million (1995)

Economy--overview

Colombia ended 1998 in recession with 0.2% GDP growth due to a combination of low world oil prices, reduced export demand, guerrilla violence, and diminished investment flows. The Central Bank resorted to interest rate hikes and tight monetary policy to defend the peso against pressure from Colombia's worsening trade and fiscal deficits. President PASTRANA'S well-respected financial team is working to deal with the myriad economic problems the country faces, including the highest unemployment level in decades and a fiscal deficit of close to 5% of GDP in 1998. The government implemented austerity measures, declared emergency measures to guard against a potential banking crisis resulting from the country's economic slowdown, and is seeking international assistance to fund a peace plan with the guerrillas. Guerrilla violence and low world oil prices will likely continue to undermine the economy in 1999.

Electricity--consumption

53.857 billion kWh (1996)

Electricity--exports

0 kWh (1996)

Electricity--imports

132 million kWh (1996)

Electricity--production

53.725 billion kWh (1996)

Electricity--production by source

fossil fuel: 19.26% hydro: 80.74% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1996)

Exchange rates

Colombian pesos (Col$) per US$1--1,562.0 (February 1999), 1,426.04 (1998), 1,140.96 (1997), 1,036.69 (1996), 912.83 (1995), 844.84 (1994)

Exports

$11.3 billion (f.o.b., 1998 est.)

Exports--commodities

petroleum, coffee, coal, gold, bananas, cut flowers

Exports--partners

US 38%, EU 23%, Andean Community 18%, Japan 3% (1997)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP

purchasing power parity--$254.7 billion (1998 est.)

GDP--composition by sector

agriculture: 19% industry: 26% services: 55% (1996)

GDP--per capita

purchasing power parity?$6,600 (1998 est.)

GDP--real growth rate

0.2% (1998)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 1% highest 10%: 46.9% (1995)

Imports

$14.4 billion (f.o.b., 1998 est.)

Imports--commodities

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

Imports--partners

US 42%, EU 23%, Andean Community 14%, Japan 4% (1997)

Industrial production growth rate

-1.2% (1996)

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

16.7% (1998 est.)

Labor force

16.8 million (1997 est.)

Labor force--by occupation

services 46%, agriculture 30%, industry 24% (1990)

Population below poverty line

17.7% (1992 est.)

Unemployment rate

15.7% (1998 est.)

Area

total: 1,138,910 sq km land: 1,038,700 sq km water: 100,210 sq km note: includes Isla de Malpelo, Roncador Cay, Serrana Bank, and Serranilla Bank

Area--comparative

slightly less than three times the size of Montana

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

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Nevado del Huila 5,750 m

Environment--current issues

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

Environment--international agreements

party to: Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94 signed, but not ratified: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Desertification, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping

Geographic coordinates

4 00 N, 72 00 W

Geography--note

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

Irrigated land

5,300 sq km (1993 est.)

Land boundaries

total: 7,408 km border countries: Brazil 1,643 km, Ecuador 590 km, Panama 225 km, Peru 2,900 km, Venezuela 2,050 km

Land use

arable land: 4% permanent crops: 1% permanent pastures: 39% forests and woodland: 48% other: 8% (1993 est.)

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, Central America and the Caribbean

Maritime claims

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

Natural resources

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

Terrain

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

Administrative divisions

32 departments (departamentos, singular--departamento) and 1 capital district* (distrito capital); Amazonas, Antioquia, Arauca, Atlantico, 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, Distrito Capital de Santa Fe de Bogota*, Santander, Sucre, Tolima, Valle del Cauca, Vaupes, Vichada

Capital

Bogota

Constitution

5 July 1991

Country name

conventional long form: Republic of Colombia conventional short form: Colombia local long form: Republica de Colombia local short form: Colombia

Data code

CO

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Curtis Warren KAMMAN embassy: Calle 22D-BIS, numbers 47-51, Apartado Aereo 3831 mailing address: APO AA 34038

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Luis Alberto MORENO Mejia chancery: 2118 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008 consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, San Francisco, San Juan (Puerto Rico), and Washington, DC consulate(s): Atlanta and Tampa

Executive branch

chief of state: President Andres PASTRANA (since 7 August 1998); Vice President Gustavo BELL (since 7 August 1998); note--the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Andres PASTRANA (since 7 August 1998); Vice President Gustavo BELL (since 7 August 1998); note--the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet elections: president elected by popular vote for a four-year term; election last held 31 May 1998 (next to be held NA May 2002); vice president elected by popular vote for a four-year term in a new procedure that replaces the traditional designation of vice presidents by newly elected presidents; election last held 31 May 1998 (next to be held NA May 2002) election results: no candidate received more than 50% of the total vote, therefore, a run-off election to select a president from the two leading candidates was held 21 June 1998; Andres PASTRANA elected president; percent of vote--NA; Gustavo BELL elected vice president; percent of vote--NA

Flag description

three horizontal bands of yellow (top, double-width), blue, and red; similar to the flag of Ecuador, which is longer and bears the Ecuadorian coat of arms superimposed in the center

Government type

republic; executive branch dominates government structure

Independence

20 July 1810 (from Spain)

International organization participation

BCIE, CAN, Caricom (observer), CCC, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G- 3, G-11, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO (pending member), ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNU, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO

Judicial branch

Supreme Court of Justice (Corte Suprema de Justical), highest court of criminal law, judges are selected from the nominees of the Higher Council of Justice for eight-year terms; Council of State, highest court of administrative law, judges are selected from the nominees of the Higher Council of Justice 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

Legal system

based on Spanish law; a new criminal code modeled after US procedures was enacted in 1992-93; judicial review of executive and legislative acts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations

Legislative branch

bicameral Congress or Congreso consists of the Senate or Senado (102 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) and the House of Representatives or Camara de Representantes (161 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: Senate--last held NA March 1998 (next to be held NA March 2002); House of Representatives--last held NA March 1998 (next to be held NA March 2002) election results: Senate--percent of vote by party--PL 50%, PC 24%, smaller parties (many aligned with conservatives) 26%; seats by party--PL 51, PC 24, smaller parties 27; House of Representatives--percent of vote by party--PL 52%, PC 17%, other 31%; seats by party--NA

National holiday

Independence Day, 20 July (1810)

Political parties and leaders

Liberal Party or PL [Horaero AD/M-19 is a coalition of small leftist parties and dissident legal political party formed by Revolutionary Armed Forces of

Political pressure groups and leaders

two largest insurgent groups active in Colombia--Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia or FARC; and National Liberation Army or ELN

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Background

Colombia gained its independence from Spain in 1819. Earlier than most countries in the area, it established traditions of civilian government with regular, free elections. In recent years, however, assassinations, widespread guerrilla activities, and drug trafficking have severely disrupted normal public and private activities.

Military branches

Army (Ejercito Nacional), Navy (Armada Nacional, includes Marines and Coast Guard), Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Colombiana), National Police (Policia Nacional)

Military expenditures--dollar figure

$4 billion (1998)

Military expenditures--percent of GDP

4.2% (1998)

Military manpower--availability

males age 15-49: 10,418,211 (1999 est.)

Military manpower--fit for military service

males age 15-49: 6,980,700 (1999 est.)

Military manpower--military age

18 years of age

Military manpower--reaching military age annually

males: 360,820 (1999 est.)

Age structure

0-14 years: 33% (male 6,556,566; female 6,402,115) 15-64 years: 62% (male 11,966,306; female 12,593,685) 65 years and over: 5% (male 807,282; female 983,468) (1999 est.)

Birth rate

24.45 births/1,000 population (1999 est.)

Death rate

5.59 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.)

Ethnic groups

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

Infant mortality rate

24.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.)

Languages

Spanish

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 70.48 years male: 66.54 years female: 74.54 years (1999 est.)

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 91.3% male: 91.2% female: 91.4% (1995 est.)

Nationality

noun: Colombian(s) adjective: Colombian

Net migration rate

-0.34 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 est.)

Population

39,309,422 (July 1999 est.)

Population growth rate

1.85% (1999 est.)

Religions

Roman Catholic 95%

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.82 male(s)/female total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (1999 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.87 children born/woman (1999 est.)

Disputes--international

maritime boundary dispute with Venezuela in the Gulf of Venezuela; territorial disputes with Nicaragua over Archipelago de San Andres y Providencia and Quita Sueno Bank

Illicit drugs

illicit producer of coca, opium poppies, and cannabis; cultivation of coca in 1997--79,500 hectares, an 18% increase over 1996; potential production of cocaine in 1997--125 metric tons, a 14% increase over 1996; cultivation of opium in 1997--6,600 hectares, a 5% increase over 1996; potential production of opium in 1997--66 metric tons, a 5% increase over 1996; the world's largest processor of coca derivatives into cocaine; supplier of cocaine to the US and other international drug markets; active aerial eradication program seeks to virtually eliminate coca and opium crops

Airports

1,120 (1998 est.)

Airports--with paved runways

total: 89 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 9 1,524 to 2,437 m: 36 914 to 1,523 m: 35 under 914 m: 7 (1998 est.)

Airports--with unpaved runways

total: 1,031 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 63 914 to 1,523 m: 339 under 914 m: 628 (1998 est.)

Highways

total: 115,564 km paved: 13,868 km unpaved: 101,696 km (1997 est.)

Merchant marine

total: 14 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 64,7575 GRT/84,518 DWT ships by type: bulk 4, cargo 5, container 1, multifunction large-load carrier 2, oil tanker 2 (1998 est.)

Pipelines

crude oil 3,585 km; petroleum products 1,350 km; natural gas 830 km; natural gas liquids 125 km

Ports and harbors

Bahia de Portete, Barranquilla, Buenaventura, Cartagena, Leticia, Puerto Bolivar, San Andres, Santa Marta, Tumaco, Turbo

Railways

total: 3,380 km standard gauge: 150 km 1.435-m gauge (connects Cerrejon coal mines to maritime port at Bahia de Portete) narrow gauge: 3,230 km 0.914-m gauge (1,830 km in use) (1995)

Waterways

14,300 km, navigable by river boats