This document provides an overview of Colombia through sections on geography, history, culture, economy and more. It summarizes that Colombia is a South American country located in the northwestern corner of South America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, Ecuador, Peru, Brazil and Venezuela. It has a population of over 46 million people and its capital and largest city is Bogota. The document outlines Colombia's diverse history, culture including music, art and festivals, as well as its economy centered around exports of flowers, coal, coffee and other agricultural products.

3. International Speaker Profile
Alvaro Rodriguez
I’m a PhD. Student in
Chemical Engineering at
the University of Akron.

4. International Speaker Profile
I arrived to United States in December 2002

6. South America
Official name
Republica de Colombia
Capital
Santafé de Bogotá
32 provinces
Major cities
Medellín, Cali, Cartagena,
Barranquilla, Pasto.
Neighboring Countries
Ecuador, Perú, Brazil,
Venezuela and Panamá.
Colombian map

7. CHORUS
Republic of Colombia
¡Oh, gloria inmarcesible!
¡Oh, júbilo inmortal!
En surcos de dolores,
el bien germina ya.
I
Cesó la horrible noche.
La libertad sublime
derrama las auroras
de su invencible luz.
La humanidad entera,
que entre cadenas gime,
comprende las palabras
del que murió en la cruz.
The fearful night has ceased.
Sublime Liberty
shines forth the dawning
of its invincible light.
All of mankind,
moaning in chains,
understands the words
of the one who died on the
cross.
Coat of Arms
Oh, unfading glory!
Oh, inmortal joy!
In furrows of pain,
the good now
germinates..
It is mandatory to
It is mandatory to
broadcast the
broadcast the
national anthem on
national anthem on
radio and TV at
radio and TV at
6:00 am and at
6:00 am and at
6:00 pm
6:00 pm

8. GEOGRAPHY
Area
1,138,910 sq km land
1,038,700 sq km water
Approx. 10 X

9. Colombia - Quick Facts
Colombia is named
after Christopher Columbus
Population
46.9 million
Independence
July 20, 1810
Language: Spanish
Capital: Bogota
Approx. 10 million

10. Colombia - Quick Facts
Gross National Income per capita:
US $6,110 (World Bank, 2011)
Spectacled Bear
Religion: 90% Roman Catholic
National flower: Orchid
National tree: Wax Palm
Currency: Colombian peso
Andean Condor

11. EARLY CIVILIZATIONS

12. Quimbaya civilization
The Quimbaya artifacts are displayed at the Gold
Museum in Bogota and they represent birds,
lizards, amphibians and insects common in that
region and during that period.
Poporo quimbaya
This civilization
flourished during
the 4th to the 7th
century
Quimbaya airplane

13. Muisca civilization
Lived in the eastern highland
savanna from 1000 – 1538
Bochica: chief and hero
of the muisca
civilization. Political
figure and agriculture
savior
Bachue:
goddess of
water
Muisca sacred raft going
to Lake Guatavita

14. Tairona civilization
Tairona gold
pendants
The Tairona was established in
the region of Sierra Nevada de
Santa Marta and was present
mainly between the 1st and 11th
century

15. ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES
UNESCO World Heritage Sites
San Agustin – Huila, Neiva
Lost City Ruins - Tairona
Malpelo – Fauna and Flora Sanctuary
Tierradentro - Underground tombs and chambers

16. UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Cartagena de Indias
Bolivar
Quinchia Coffee
Farms
Risaralda, Caldas

17. Official Language: SPANISH
English is also official in San Andrés and Providencia Islands
75 ethnic languages and dialects
Hola, como estas?
Mucho gusto
Buenos dias
Habla Ingles?
Hasta la vista
Feliz Navidad
No comprendo
Gracias
Perdone
No me gusta
Hello, how are you?
Nice to meet you
Good day
Do you speak English?
See you later
Merry Christmas
I don't understand
Thanks
Excuse me
I don't like

18. ETHNIC GROUPS

19. GOVERNMENT
Presidential House
Casa de Nariño
Constitutional
Republic
Voting starts at 18 years old
Current President
Juan Manuel Santos
2010-present

20. KEY ISSUES
Colombian Armed Conflict
*Illegal drug trade
*Guerrilla
Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC)
National Liberation Army (ELN)
United Self-defense Forces of Colombia (AUC)

21. ECONOMY
Flowers, coal, coffee,
banana, sugar cane,
textiles, emeralds,
chemicals, gold,
concrete, rice,
tobacco, cocoa

22. Currency denominations – Bank notes

23. Currency denominations – Coins

24. Colombian fruits

25. CULTURE – ARTS AND LITERATURE
Art
Literature Nobel Prize
Gabriel Garcia Marquez
Fernando Botero
Painter and Sculptor

26. CULTURE - MUSIC
Cumbia
Salsa
Vallenato

27. CULTURE – POP MUSIC
Shakira
Juanes

28. SPORTS - SOCCER
Metropolitano Stadium
Rene Higuita
(Scorpion kick)
Carlos Valderrama

29. SPORTS - CYCLISM
King of the Mountains
Vuelta a España
(1987, 1991)
Tour de France
(1985, 1987)
Giro d'Italia
(1989)
BMX Olympic
Gold Medalist
Mariana Pajon

30. SPORTS
Juan Pablo Montoya
Camilo Villegas
2010 World Series MVP
Edgar Renteria
2012 Inline Speed-Skating
World Champions

31. CUISINE

32. NATIONAL FESTIVALS
Flowers’
Festival
Coffee
festival
Barranquilla’s
Carnival
Cali
Festival
Blacks and Whites'
Carnival

33. Flowers’ Festival
Silleteros
Medellin

34. Coffee Festival
Coffee farmers and beauty pageants

35. Barranquilla’s Carnival
Afro-Colombian
Marimondas
Mother of the forest
End of the Carnival by the
burial of Joselito Carnaval

36. Horse parade
Cali Festival
Salsa
Bullfighting

37. Blacks and Whites' Carnival
Pasto
Great Parade
Blacks and Whites day players

38. Links
News
Radio and TV
Magazines

39. Summary

40. Adios