Explore 50 interesting facts about Colombia, from its rich culture and history to its stunning biodiversity. Discover what makes this South American country truly unique.
Colombia, renowned for its vivid culture, verdant scenery, and extensive history, is one of the most colorful and captivating nations in South America. Colombia has a lot to offer, from its varied fauna to its coffee fields. This amazing nation will become even more fascinating to you after learning these 50 fascinating facts, whether you’re planning a trip there or are just inquiring.
Interesting Facts About Colombia
1. There’s More to Colombia Than Just Coffee
Coffee is typically the first item that springs to mind when someone thinks about Colombia. Colombia provides so much more, even though it is the third-largest producer of coffee in the world. Because of its rich soil, the nation also produces bananas, cocoa, and flowers—it is the second-largest exporter of flowers in the world.
2. The Amazon Rainforest Calls It Home
Only a few nations share the Amazon rainforest, including Colombia. Approximately 35% of Colombia is made up of the Amazon region, which is rich with animals, indigenous tribes, and breathtaking natural beauty.
3. One of the World’s Highest Capitals Is Bogotá
Being one of the highest capital cities in the world, Bogotá, the capital, is located 2,640 meters (8,660 feet) above sea level.
4. Coastlines on both oceans is Colombia
Colombia is surrounded by the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean. This means that there is a huge range of beaches, marine life, and ocean-related activities to enjoy across the nation.
5. Highest Biodiversity Per Square Kilogram in the World
Just behind Brazil, Colombia is the second most biodiverse country overall, but when you take into account its size, it is the most biodiverse nation per square kilometer. More than 50,000 species, or 10% of all plant and animal species worldwide, call it home.
6. Magical Realism’s Origin Story
You’ve probably come across Colombia’s magical realism if you’ve heard of Nobel Prize-winning novelist Gabriel García Márquez. He extensively incorporates Colombian mysticism and culture into his well-known works, such as *One Hundred Years of Solitude*.
7. A Greater Variety of Bird Species
With more than 1,900 species, Colombia is the country with the greatest diversity of birds worldwide! For both amateurs and ornithologists, birdwatching in Colombia is a dream come true.
8. Good Celebrations Are Loved by Colombians
With more than 18 statutory holidays each year, many of them are connected to religious and cultural events, there’s always something to celebrate in Colombia.
9. The Legend of El Dorado Started in Colombia
The indigenous Muisca people of Colombia are credited with creating the narrative around El Dorado, the fabled city of riches. Spanish explorers were enticed to the area by legends of a gold-covered king and his rich city.
10. The World’s Second-Largest Carnival
After Rio’s Carnival in Brazil, Barranquilla’s Carnival is the second biggest carnival worldwide. UNESCO has designated this colorful celebration, which features parades, dancing, and music, as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.
11. The Biggest Emeralds in the World
Colombia is well-known for producing 70% to 90% of the world’s emeralds. Because of their superior quality and rich green hue, these gems are well valued.
12. Columbia Is A Cultural Melting Pot
The people of Colombia have a diverse mix of African, Spanish, and indigenous ancestry. The nation’s cuisine, music, and culture all showcase its variety, creating a mosaic of cultures.
13. A Special National Anthem Custom
The national anthem of Colombia is played on radio and television stations nationwide at six in the morning and six in the evening. Many Colombians take great pleasure in their everyday customs.
14. A Gold-Ridden Museum
More than 55,000 pieces of gold artifacts, largely from pre-Columbian times, are kept in the Gold Museum in Bogotá. It’s one of the largest collections of gold in the world.
15. Colombia Has Pink Rivers!
The blooming water plants in the Serranía de la Macarena National Park cause the Caño Cristales river to become pink, yellow, and green at specific periods of the year. It’s common to refer to this natural beauty as “the river of five colors.”
16. The Largest Orchid Exporter
With almost 4,000 different kinds, Colombia is the world’s leading supplier of these exquisite blooms.
17. Colombians Love to Dance
Colombian culture is heavily reliant on music and dance, such as salsa, cumbia, and valenato. As a matter of fact, Cali is said to as the “salsa capital of the world,” with salsa clubs and instruction available everywhere.
18. World Heritage Coffee Culture
Six agricultural regions in Colombia are part of the UNESCO-designated Coffee Cultural Landscape, which highlights the country’s traditional coffee-growing practices. It’s a well-liked location for tourists who wish to see coffee fields and discover the process of manufacturing.
19. The Explosive Sport of Colombia: Tejo
Tejo is a traditional sport in Colombia where participants toss metal discs at targets that are covered with explosives. The target explodes when you strike it! In the nation, it’s a popular yet raucous past time.
20. The Sierra Nevada Mountains
With its highest summit, Pico Cristóbal Colón, reaching 5,700 meters (18,700 feet), the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta is the world’s tallest coastal mountain range. Because of its proximity, this mountain range is distinct.
21. Colombians Who Grow Coffee Take Great Pride in Their Product
Despite being Colombia’s main export, coffee manufacturing has a deeply embedded cultural significance in the nation. The *fincas*, or coffee farms, are usually run by families, and their beans are well-known for their rich, smooth flavor.
22. Two Colombian Icons Are Shakira and Sofia Vergara
Colombia has produced two international celebrities that have showcased the country’s robust contributions to entertainment: Sofia Vergara, well known for her part in *Modern Family*, and Shakira, recognized for her music and dance.
23. The Amazing Cathedral of Salt
Constructed within a salt mine, the Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá is a Roman Catholic cathedral located not far from Bogotá. It’s a remarkable architectural achievement and one of Colombia’s most popular tourist destinations.
24. Christopher Columbus Was the Name of the Country
Colombia was called in honor of Christopher Columbus, even though he never visited the nation until it earned independence from Spain in 1810.
25. A Nation with Diverse Climates
Colombia’s terrain is immensely diverse, ranging from tropical rainforests to mountain ranges to deserts. Because of the country’s varied climate, you may visit the Amazonian rainforest, the balmy Caribbean city of Cartagena, and cold mountain cities like Medellín.
26. Bogotá’s Ciclovia Sundays
Major highways in Bogotá are blocked to traffic on Sundays in observance of *Ciclovía*. It’s a day for enjoying walking, running, and cycling in a car-free zone. It’s among the biggest street closures ever recorded in history!
27. The Peso in Colombia
The Colombian peso (COP) is the country’s currency. Colombia is regarded as an economical tourism destination, despite price fluctuations.
28. Colombia Has More Public Holidays
Colombia has one of the most public holiday schedules in the world, with 18 national holidays observed annually. Although there are celebrations of historical landmarks and national customs, many of these holidays are linked to religious occasions.
29. Medellín: From Perilous to Pioneering
Due to drug violence, Medellín was formerly considered one of the world’s most dangerous cities, yet it has experienced an amazing metamorphosis. It is now regarded as one of the world’s most inventive cities, with a cutting-edge metro system, creative urban design projects, and a cultural comeback.
30. A Variety of Native American Traditions
There are more than 80 different indigenous communities living in Colombia. Despite the nation’s modernity, these communities—many of which reside in isolated locations like the Amazon and Sierra Nevada—have managed to maintain their languages, customs, and cultures.
31. Fever for Colombian Football
Colombians have a great enthusiasm for football, or soccer, and their national team has a sizable fan base. The FIFA World Cup runs in 1990, 2014, and 2018 rank among the most cherished athletic events in the nation.
32. Cartagena: An Intangible Cultural Asset of Humanity
UNESCO has designated Cartagena’s ancient walled city and fortress as a World Heritage Site. This seaside city is well-known for its colorful streets, colonial architecture, and extensive Spanish colonial past.
33. Wax palm, the national tree
With a maximum height of 60 meters, the Quindío wax palm is the national tree of Colombia. These are among of the world’s tallest palm trees, and they can be located in the Cocora Valley.
34. There Is a National Day for Women in Colombia
In Colombia, March 8th is widely observed as International Women’s Day, with talks and activities focused on the rights and accomplishments of women.
35. Red Rock of El Peñol and Guatapé
Guatapé, which is close to Medellín, is well-known for its vibrant architecture and El Peñol, a large granite boulder that provides breathtaking views of the surroundings. One of the most popular tourist activities is ascending the 740 stairs to the summit.
36. The Enchanting San Andrés Island
Colombia owns the little island of San Andrés in the Caribbean Sea, but it is closer to Nicaragua. It is a tropical haven for tourists, renowned for its seven-colored sea, white sand beaches, and crystal-clear seas.
37. Gabriel García Márquez: The Literary Icon of Colombia
Known by his nickname “Gabo,” Gabriel García Márquez is a very important writer of the 20th century. His literary creations, such as *Love in the Time of Cholera* and *One Hundred Years of Solitude*, are widely acclaimed globally and have profound roots in the political and cultural landscape of Colombia.
38. A Festival-Glorious Land*
From the Black and White Carnival in Pasto to the Flower Festival in Medellín, Colombia has a plethora of colorful festivities all year long. Every celebration features its unique traditions, music, and energy, offering an authentic Colombian experience.
39. The Spot Where an Amazing River of Five Colors
Thanks to its distinctive aquatic vegetation, the Colombian river Caño Cristales, often known as “the liquid rainbow,” changes its color from yellow to red, green, blue, and black. Among the world’s most beautiful rivers, in our opinion.
40. Traditional Drinks Like Aguardiente
Colombia’s national alcoholic beverage is aguardiente, a liquor with an anise taste. During festivities, when Colombians frequently toast to health and happiness, it is especially well-liked.
41. One of the Purest Spanishes Is Colombian
Many nations speak Spanish, but Colombian Spanish—especially the dialect used in Bogotá—is sometimes regarded as one of the most unbiased and “pure” forms of the language. Because of this, it is an ideal place for Spanish learners.
42. A Resilient Past
Throughout its history, Colombia has seen several difficulties, such as civil war, drug cartels, and governmental instability. On the other hand, Colombians are renowned for their tenacity, hope, and attempts to create a more affluent and peaceful country.
43. The Paramos Ecosystem
High in the Andes, Colombia is home to the peculiar environment known as *paramos*. Millions of Colombians depend on this environment to provide them with water since it functions as a sponge to collect and hold precipitation.
44. La Candelaria: The Historic Center of Bogotá
Bogotá’s historic quarter, La Candelaria, has cobblestone lanes dotted with churches, museums, and colorful colonial homes. It’s a center of culture where the capital’s contemporary dynamism blends with history.
45. In Colombia, You Can Find Sloths
Colombia is home to some of the cutest species on the planet, including sloths, because to its abundant biodiversity! These sluggish animals inhabit Colombia’s jungles and rainforests, particularly the Amazon.
46. Day of the Little Candles
The Christmas season officially begins on December 7th with the celebration of Día de las Velitas. Families celebrate the Virgin Mary and create a joyous, luminous ambiance by lighting little candles and placing them outside their houses.
47. Street Food Is Loved by Colombians
The street food scene in Colombia is lively and varied. On a lot of street corners, you may get arepas (corn cakes), empanadas, buñuelos (fried cheese balls), and *chicha* (a traditional fermented drink). The flavors and variety reflect the country’s rich cultural tapestry.
48. Tatacoa Desert: An Unusual Travel Spot
Although Colombia is renowned for its abundant vegetation, the Tatacoa Desert is also located there. Because there is less light pollution here, it’s a beautiful, dry region known for its red rock formations and one of the greatest sites in Colombia to stargaze.
49. Legends of Colombian Football
Prominent football players from Colombia include Carlos Valderrama, known for his distinctive blonde hairstyle, and James Rodríguez, who was among the top scorers at the 2014 World Cup. For many Colombians, playing football is a way of life, and they take enormous pleasure in their national team.
50. The Happiest Nation in the World Is Colombia
Colombia has routinely ranked among the happiest countries in the world, despite its obstacles. Colombians tend to be pleasant, amiable, and able to discover happiness in the little things, such as meals spent with family, music, and gatherings.
Conclusion
Colombia is a nation that astonishes and thrills at every turn with its breathtaking scenery, abundant wildlife, lively culture, and hardy people. The friendliness of Colombians and the stunning scenery of their country will undoubtedly stay with you, whether you’re strolling through the colorful districts of Bogotá or unwinding on the beaches of the Caribbean.
Don’t hesitate to travel to this amazing nation if you ever have the chance. Furthermore, keep in mind that Colombia is more than what first meets the eye if you’re just learning about it. It’s a location where nature, culture, and history all combine to create a stunning, harmonious whole.
