Columbia By TwistedRoseStudios Jan 1, 1499 Alonso de Ojeda, a companion of Christopher Columbus landed on the Guajira Peninsula Apr 20, 1525 Santa Marta was the first permanent Spanish settlement was founded Jan 20, 1800 1800s - Over 50 insurrections & eight civil wars Sep 1, 1899 1899 - 1903 Civil War of Thousand Days Jan 1, 1948 1948 - La Violencia most cruel & destructive of Columbia's many civial war started Mar 1, 1974 Political monopy ended Jan 1, 1980 1980s - Rise in power of the Medellin and Cali drug cartels Apr 20, 1991 New constitution was enacted Jan 1, 2000 2000s - Columbia remains one of the world's largest producers and exporters of cocaine, as well as a source country for herion and marijuana Apr 2, 2010 Exports - $40.78 billion; petroluem, coffee, nickel, emeralds, apparel, bananas, cut flowers Apr 20, 2010 Net Mirgration Rate : -.67%/1000 population Jan 20, 2011 Total Land 1,038, 700 sq km, Water 100,210 sq km Apr 20, 2011 Growth Rate 1.156% Jul 20, 2011 Population - 44, 725, 543 Jan 2, 2012 Current issues drugs, corruption, gangs, violence, high unemployment Jan 20, 2012 Bordered by Brazil, Ecuador, Panama, Peru and Venezula Jan 23, 2012 Coastline - 3208 km Feb 4, 2012 Natural Resources: Petroluem, natural gas, coal, iron, ore, nickel, gold, copper, emeralds, hydropower Feb 4, 2012 GDP - $467.6 billion Feb 20, 2012 Bogota largest city more than 7 million people Mar 14, 2012 Natural Hazards - Volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, periodic droughts. Gleras is most active volcano which erupted in 2009 & 2010 Mar 31, 2012 Government: Republic, Executive, Senators 102 members, House of Representatives 166 members. They are elected by popular vote for 4 year terms. Apr 1, 2012 Terrian: Pacific lowlands, Caribbean lowlands, Inland lowlands, Central highlands and Andean Mountain Region Apr 2, 2012 Spansh official language Apr 4, 2012 National Cuisine is a mixture of European, Caribbean and indigenous roots. Apr 9, 2012 Carnivals: Carnaval de Barranquilla which is celebrated in February and is one of the most spectacular of the world. Apr 20, 2012 Location - Northern South America has coastline along the Pacific Ocean & Caribbean Sea. Only country in Souther America to have both coastlines Apr 20, 2012 Ethnic Groups: Mesitzo - 58%, Caucasian - 20%, Mixed African American & Caucasian - 14%, African American - 4%, Mixed Africian/Amerindan - 1% Apr 20, 2012 Religion is influenced by Spanish Colonial Culture - 80-90% is Catholic Apr 20, 2012 Climate Little variation in temperature. Dry season is December to March; Wet Season - April to November Apr 20, 2012 Elevation - Lowest Pacific Ocean 0m, Highest Pico Cristobal Colon 5,775 m Apr 20, 2012 Approximately 37% of Columbians live below the poverty line. Aug 3, 2012 Environmental issues: Deforestation, soil and water, air pollution Sep 2, 2012 Industries: Textiles, food processing, oil, clothing & footwear, beverages, chemicals, cement, gold, coal and emeralds