13facts you may not know about Colombia
1. Colombia is the only country in South America with coastlines on the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, offering diverse beaches and ecosystems.
2. The country is named after Christopher Columbus, the Italian explorer who led the expedition that brought the Americas to Europe's attention, although Columbus never set foot in Colombia.
3. Colombia is known as the world's leading producer of emeralds. The quality and color of Colombian emeralds sets them apart from those found elsewhere.
4. It has the second highest level of biodiversity in the world, being home to more than 56,000 species of plants and animals, including more bird species than any other country.
5. The Amazon rainforest covers nearly a third of Colombia's territory, making it a critical area for global biodiversity and conservation efforts.
6. Colombia's cultural heritage is a mixture of indigenous, Spanish, African and Arabic influences, reflected in its music, dance, festivals and cuisine.
7. The country's national sport is Teigu, a traditional sport in which players throw metal discs at a target that explode on impact.
8. Colombia is the world's largest coffee producer after Brazil, and is particularly known for its high-quality Arabica beans grown in the Colombian coffee-growing hub region.
9. The Cano Crystals River, often referred to as the “River of Five Colors” or “Liquid Rainbow,” is famous for its vibrant colors caused by aquatic plants on the river bottom, which can be seen during the brief period between the wet and dry seasons. .
10. Bogotá, Colombia's capital and largest city, lies at an altitude of 2,640 meters (8,660 ft), making it one of the highest capitals in the world.
11. The historic port city of Cartagena is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, famous for its well-preserved colonial architecture and fortifications.
12. The national dish of Colombia is bandeja paisa, which includes beans, rice, ground meat, plantains, chorizo, arepa, avocado and fried egg.
13. Population: 48,168,996.
Official language: Spanish.
Money: pesos.
Area: 439,619 square miles (1,138,910 square kilometers)
Main mountain ranges: Andes, Sierra Neva
Source: websites