Some Quick Facts:| Area: | 1.141.748 sq.km. |
| Population: | 44 Mio |
| Time zone: | GMT -5 Hours |
| Electricity: | 110 Volt |
| Prefix: | 00 57 |
| Currency: | Peso (COP) |
| approx. 2970 COP | 1 Euro |
| approx. 2030 COP | 1 Dollar US |
| approx. 4040 COP | 1 Pounds |
Main Cities:
Bogota - Capital (7,4 Mio)
Cali (2,4 Mio)
Medellin (2 Mio)
Barranquilla (1,5 Mio)
Airports:
Numerous - 10 International
Ports:
Numerous to both Oceans
Most famous: Cartagena, Barranquilla
From Past to Present
Already in 10.000 B.C., hunter and gatherer societies existed near today's capital Bogota, which were followed by Amerindians such as Tayronas and Muiscas. The latter had already one of the most developed political systems, only second to the Mayas.
In 1508 the conquest and colonization of today's Colombia started with the arrival of the Spaniards under Vasco Nunez de Balboa. At that time the population was a mixture of many, literally hundreds, of tribes. They were conquered by brutal warfare and additionally decimated by diseases.
From the beginning of colonization, there were always rebel movements, but most of them were immediately crushed and none was strong enough to change the situation. Until the rebellion of 1810; this succeeded and declared independence on July 20, in 1810 and was internationally recognized in 1819.
From then onwards, Colombia went through periods of wars, civil wars and also peaceful times. The last period of civil war was in the late 1940īs and early 1950īs - today known as "La Violencia", which caused the death of 180.000 Colombians. Afterwards both leading parties agreed to govern jointly and formed the National Front.
Finally 1991 Colombia got a new constitution. The government was heavily fighting the drug-cartels and the guerrilla movements and the security indicators were improving constantly, which was followed by economic growth and an increase of tourism.
Geography and Climate
The republic of Colombia is located in the north-west of the South American continent. Today it is the 26.th largest nation in the world, sharing borders with Venezuela, Brazil, Ecuador, Peru and Panama. The Caribbean Sea in the North and the Pacific Ocean in the West are the natural borders of Colombia. It has one of the largest Spanish speaking populations of the world and it is probably the most ethnically diverse nation in the southern hemisphere. Additionally, Colombia is amongst the largest manufacturers of South America.
Colombia can be divided into 5 main natural regions, which means, within its borders is more physical diversity to find, than in any other area of similar size in South America. The Andes Mountain ranges, the Pacific Coastal region, the Caribbean Coastal region, the Amazon region and the Orinoquia region.
The Andes, separated into 3 "Cordilleras" (=ranges), are reaching altitudes of more than 5700 metres and the peaks are covered in permanent snow. The Caribbean Lowlands cover the North of Colombia and most of the country's commerce is coming through the ports of Cartagena, Barranquilla and Santa Marta. The Pacific region covers the western part of the country, but up to the 1980īs, only 3 % of the Colombians lived in the Pacific Lowland Finally, East of the Andes, covering almost three-fifths of Colombia are the basins of the Orinoco and the Amazon. Only 2 % of the population live there, which makes the area almost alien.
Climatically, Colombia is really a blessed country. The proximity to the equator provides a tropical and isothermal climate. 24 degrees on average throughout the year - except, of course in higher altitudes - give the impression of a permanent spring. Beach and Sun can be found in numerous places. The Caribbean coastline is already very well equipped for tourism, whilst the Pacific coastline is still a paradise for nature lovers. Nuqui and Bahia Solano are ideal starting points for jungle hikes and whale safaris.
Economy
The economy in Colombia is fuelled by a large number of natural resources, a quite stable currency and highly literate population. The main export-goods are manufactured goods with 42 percent, followed by Petroleum with 28 percent, Coal with 13 and Coffee with 6,25 percent.
After a recession in 1999 - the first year with negative growth since 1929 - followed a quite painful recovery. Today all imports, exports and the trade-balance are at record levels. A steady and substantial inflow of US-Dollars and other foreign currencies brought a substantial revaluation of the Peso (COP).
The current president, Alvaro Uribe, introduced economic reforms, which were highly praised by several international financial institutions. The reforms include measures, to bring the public-sector deficit below 2,5 percent, which is about the level of Germany.
All this brought a rapidly growing sense of confidence in the economy, which resulted in 2003, in the highest GDP growth of all Latin America. In May 2007, the magazine BusinessWeek named Colombia the "most extreme emerging market on Earth"!
Property, Real-Estate - The Facts
Colombia is the oldest established democracy in Latin America and although there were numerous Civil Wars and rebellions throughout the years, the democracy in Colombia was never endangered and private property not touched.
Nowadays, Colombia has a great potential, to become a favourite destination for purchasing a second home, a holiday home or a property investment. The mild climate and the low costs are making it very interesting for retired foreigners, to move to Colombia permanently, or interesting for foreign investors, to invest in one of the new property developments.
The Colombian government made the decision, to boost the second-home market, to attract foreign nationals to move to Colombia, or Colombian expats, to move back after retirement
The obstacles for purchasing property have been mostly removed and there was just passed on a bill to congress, to make even more changes on the foreign investment regime.
Even Natural Geographic features Colombia, in its Natural Adventure, as one of the six top-nations for 2008. The magazine compares it with Venezuela, by saying: "Venezuela has been stealing all the headlines, whilst the once crazy neighbour is quietly settling down!" even the residence of the infamous drug lord Escobar was changed into a park and a zoo and is now open for tourists.
Since president Uribes successful suppression of the FARC, violent crimes have decreased by more than 50 percent. Corruption was fought successfully, the markets are soaring and the president shows approval rankings of 60 percents and more. And although Colombia is amongst the most emerging markets in the world, with about 300 Euro per sq.m, the price for property is still very low and the property market shows great potential and promises.
Colombia has turned into an investment magnet - on a continent that has frightened away foreign capital since ages.