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| GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION AND BORDERS |
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Colombia is situated in northern South America. It is bordered by the Caribbean Sea (north), Venezuela and Brazil (east), Peru and Ecuador (south), the Pacific Ocean (west) and Panama (northwest).
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| LANGUAGES |
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The official language is Spanish.
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| CAPITAL |
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Capital: Bogotá, Capital District
Most important cities: Medellín, Cartagena, Barranquilla, Cali, Santa Marta, Cúcuta and Bucaramanga.
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PROFILE OF
COLOMBIA
Colombia offers visitors who decide to enjoy its tourist attractions history, flavor, nature and beaches. This country, from its warm Caribbean waters to the cold snow-clad peaks, with endless coffee plantations and historical cities filled with lanterns and romance in between, is just waiting to be discovered, to be explored. LIVE COLOMBIA, TRAVEL THE COUNTRY.
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OFFICIAL NAME |
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Republic of Colombia
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POPULATION AND AREA |
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Colombia has a population of
44 million people living in an area of 1 141 748 km2.
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FORM OF GOVERNMENT |
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Bogotá is the capital of Colombia and, hence, its administrative and political center. The country was organized as a decentralized unitary republic in which its territorial entities enjoy autonomy under the Political Constitution of 1991. Colombia’s process of fiscal, administrative and financial decentralization is one of Latin America’s most advanced.
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RELIGION |
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While most of the population is Roman Catholic, other forms of worship are respected.
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TIME |
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Colombia’s official time is Greenwich Mean Time minus 5 hours (GMT-5) (normal/summer).
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CURRENCY |
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Colombia’s official monetary unit is the Colombian peso. Coins of 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1 000 pesos and bills of 2 000, 5 000,10 000, 20 000 and 50 000 pesos are in circulation.
There are automated teller machines offering 24 hr service throughout the country.
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-Exchange rate: |
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The exchange rate varies and visitors are cautioned not to exchange money in the street, but only at hotels, banks and money exchange offices. The main money exchange offices can be found in the larger shopping centers in the northern area of the city of Bogotá, such as Unicentro, Centro Andino and Centro Internacional and around the Plazoleta del Rosario. Traveler’s checks are welcome at those offices.
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-Credit cards and travelers’ checks: |
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Most hotels, restaurants and shops receive credit cards, particularly Master Card and Visa. Only the most exclusive spots accept American Express and Diners’ Club.
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AIRPORT TAX |
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An airport tax of $ 45 United States dollars is charged on leaving the country. Foreigners having spent less than 90 days in the country pay US$ 25.00.
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