Colombia — Capital, Flag and Country Facts

Explore Colombia: capital Bogotá, population, flag, geography, languages, history and culture.

Colombia is in South America. Its capital is Bogotá.

Climate

Tropical along the coast and eastern plains; cooler in the highlands; varies greatly by altitude

Flat coastal lowlands; central highlands with three Andean mountain ranges; eastern lowland plains (llanos); Amazon rainforest in the south

Colombia is the only South American country with coastlines on both the Pacific and Caribbean.

Colombia produces about 70% of the world's emeralds.

Colombia is the second most biodiverse country in the world, after Brazil.

1499: Spanish explorers arrive on the Caribbean coast

1810: Colombia declares independence from Spain

1819: Simón Bolívar wins the Battle of Boyacá, securing independence

1948: La Violencia period begins after assassination of Jorge Eliécer Gaitán

2016: Peace agreement signed between the government and FARC guerrillas