Colombia
Where the Andes, the Amazon, and two oceans all meet in one country.
Colombia's independence was secured in 1819 at the Battle of Boyacá, led by Simón Bolívar, who became the first president of the short lived nation of Gran Colombia.
The national motto, "Libertad y Orden" ("Liberty and Order"), reflects the balance the young republic sought after decades of war. Liberty and order sound like two different things, but every country in this hemisphere has spent its history trying to hold both at once.
Get to Know Colombia
Capital: Bogotá. Official language: Spanish. Currency: Colombian peso. Colombia secured its independence from Spain in 1819 at the Battle of Boyacá, led by Simón Bolívar.
Fun Facts
- Colombia is home to more bird species than any other country in the world, with over 1,900 recorded.
- Colombia is the world's leading producer of emeralds.
- Colombia is the only country in South America with coastlines on both the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean.
Why Visit
Colombia stretches from Caribbean beaches to Andean peaks to Amazon rainforest, packing three distinct worlds into one country. Visitors can wander the colorful colonial streets of Cartagena, ride the cable cars above Medellín's hillside neighborhoods, hike through the wax palms of the Cocora Valley, or explore the ancient stone terraces of San Agustín. Add the birdwatching and coffee farms of the Zona Cafetera, and Colombia offers one of the most rewarding trips in South America.
Made in Colombia
Colombia is known for its coffee, cut flowers, emeralds, and leather goods. This space is reserved for a future Local Marketplace Spotlight, featuring Trust Standard certified Colombian businesses once that pillar of the Americas Ecosystem exists. Soon.