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Communications

Broadcast media (Radio broadcast stations) [time series]

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

Radios [time series]

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

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 - fixed lines (Telephones) [time series]

1.89 million (1986 est.)

Broadcast media (Television broadcast stations) [time series]

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

Televisions [time series]

5.5 million (1993 est.)

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture--products) [time series]

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

Budget [time series]

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

Exchange rates (Currency) [time series]

1 Colombian peso (Col$) = 100 centavos

Debt - external (Debt--external) [time series]

$18 billion (1998 est.)

Economic aid (Economic aid--recipient) [time series]

$40.7 million (1995)

Economic overview (Economy--overview) [time series]

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 (Electricity--consumption) [time series]

53.857 billion kWh (1996)

Electricity - exports (Electricity--exports) [time series]

0 kWh (1996)

Electricity - imports (Electricity--imports) [time series]

132 million kWh (1996)

Electricity - production (Electricity--production) [time series]

53.725 billion kWh (1996)

Electricity - production by source (Electricity--production by source) [time series]

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

Exchange rates [time series]

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 [time series]

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

Exports - commodities (Exports--commodities) [time series]

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

Exports - partners (Exports--partners) [time series]

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

Fiscal year [time series]

calendar year

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP) [time series]

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

GDP - composition, by sector of origin (GDP--composition by sector) [time series]

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

Real GDP per capita (GDP--per capita) [time series]

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

Real GDP growth rate (GDP--real growth rate) [time series]

0.2% (1998)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

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

Imports [time series]

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

Imports - commodities (Imports--commodities) [time series]

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

Imports - partners (Imports--partners) [time series]

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

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

-1.2% (1996)

Industries [time series]

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

16.7% (1998 est.)

Labor force [time series]

16.8 million (1997 est.)

Labor force - by occupation (Labor force--by occupation) [time series]

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

Population below poverty line [time series]

17.7% (1992 est.)

Unemployment rate [time series]

15.7% (1998 est.)

Geography

Area [time series]

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 (Area--comparative) [time series]

slightly less than three times the size of Montana

Climate [time series]

tropical along coast and eastern plains; cooler in highlands

Coastline [time series]

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

Elevation (Elevation extremes) [time series]

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

Environment - current issues (Environment--current issues) [time series]

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

International environmental agreements (Environment--international agreements) [time series]

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 [time series]

4 00 N, 72 00 W

Geography - note (Geography--note) [time series]

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

Irrigated land [time series]

5,300 sq km (1993 est.)

Land boundaries [time series]

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 [time series]

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

Location [time series]

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

Map references [time series]

South America, Central America and the Caribbean

Maritime claims [time series]

continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm

Natural hazards [time series]

highlands subject to volcanic eruptions; occasional earthquakes; periodic droughts

Natural resources [time series]

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

Terrain [time series]

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

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

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 [time series]

Bogota

Constitution [time series]

5 July 1991

Country name [time series]

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

Data code [time series]

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

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 [time series]

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 [time series]

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 (Flag description) [time series]

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 [time series]

republic; executive branch dominates government structure

Independence [time series]

20 July 1810 (from Spain)

International organization participation [time series]

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 [time series]

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 [time series]

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 [time series]

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 [time series]

Independence Day, 20 July (1810)

Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]

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 parties (Political pressure groups and leaders) [time series]

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

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age; universal

Introduction

Background [time series]

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

Military and security forces (Military branches) [time series]

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

Military expenditures - dollar figure (Military expenditures--dollar figure) [time series]

$4 billion (1998)

Military expenditures (Military expenditures--percent of GDP) [time series]

4.2% (1998)

Military manpower - availability (Military manpower--availability) [time series]

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

Military manpower - fit for military service (Military manpower--fit for military service) [time series]

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

Military manpower - military age (Military manpower--military age) [time series]

18 years of age

Military manpower - reaching military age annually (Military manpower--reaching military age annually) [time series]

males: 360,820 (1999 est.)

People

Age structure [time series]

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 [time series]

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

Death rate [time series]

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

Ethnic groups [time series]

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

Infant mortality rate [time series]

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

Languages [time series]

Spanish

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

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

Literacy [time series]

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

Nationality [time series]

noun: Colombian(s) adjective: Colombian

Net migration rate [time series]

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

Population [time series]

39,309,422 (July 1999 est.)

Population growth rate [time series]

1.85% (1999 est.)

Religions [time series]

Roman Catholic 95%

Sex ratio [time series]

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 [time series]

2.87 children born/woman (1999 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international (Disputes--international) [time series]

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 [time series]

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

Transportation

Airports [time series]

1,120 (1998 est.)

Airports - with paved runways (Airports--with paved runways) [time series]

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 (Airports--with unpaved runways) [time series]

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.)

Roadways (Highways) [time series]

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

Merchant marine [time series]

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 [time series]

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

Ports (Ports and harbors) [time series]

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

Railways [time series]

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 [time series]

14,300 km, navigable by river boats