Statistical information Colombia 1999

Colombia in the World
top of pageBackground: Colombia gained its independence from Spain in 1819. Earlier than most countries in the area, it established traditions of civilian government with regular, free elections. In recent years, however, assassinations, widespread guerrilla activities, and drug trafficking have severely disrupted normal public and private activities.
top of pageLocation: Northern South America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Panama and Venezuela, and bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between Ecuador and Panama
Geographic coordinates: 4 00 N, 72 00 W
Map reference:
South America, Central America and the CaribbeanAreaTotal: 1,138,910 km²
Land: 1,038,700 km²
Water: 100,210 km²
Note: includes Isla de Malpelo, Roncador Cay, Serrana Bank, and Serranilla Bank
Comparative: slightly less than three times the size of Montana
Land boundariesTotal: 7,408 km
Border countries: (5) Brazil 1,643 km;
, Ecuador 590 km;
, Panama 225 km;
, Peru 2,900 km;
, Venezuela 2,050 kmCoastline: 3,208 km (Caribbean Sea 1,760 km, North Pacific Ocean 1,448 km)
Maritime claimsContinental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: tropical along coast and eastern plains; cooler in highlands
Terrain: flat coastal lowlands, central highlands, high Andes Mountains, eastern lowland plains
ElevationExtremes lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
Extremes highest point: Nevado del Huila 5,750 m
Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, coal, iron ore, nickel, gold, copper, emeralds
Land useArable land: 4%
Permanent crops: 1%
Permanent pastures: 39%
Forests and woodland: 48%
Other: 8% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 5,300 km² (1993 est.)
Major riversMajor watersheds area km²Total water withdrawalTotal renewable water resourcesNatural hazards: highlands subject to volcanic eruptions; occasional earthquakes; periodic droughts
GeographyNote: only South American country with coastlines on both North Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea
top of pagePopulation: 39,309,422 (July 1999 est.)
Growth rate: 1.85% (1999 est.)
Below poverty line: 17.7% (1992 est.)
NationalityNoun: Colombian(s)
Adjective: Colombian
Ethnic groups: mestizo 58%, white 20%, mulatto 14%, black 4%, mixed black-Amerindian 3%, Amerindian 1%
Languages: Spanish
Religions: Roman Catholic 95%
Demographic profileAge structure0-14 years: 33% (male 6,556,566; female 6,402,115)
15-64 years: 62% (male 11,966,306; female 12,593,685)
65 years and over: 5% (male 807,282; female 983,468) (1999 est.)
Dependency ratiosMedian agePopulation growth rate: 1.85% (1999 est.)
Birth rate: 24.45 births/1000 population (1999 est.)
Death rate: 5.59 deaths/1000 population (1999 est.)
Net migration rate: -0.34 migrant(s)/1000 population (1999 est.)
Population distributionUrbanizationMajor urban areasEnvironmentCurrent issues: deforestation; soil damage from overuse of pesticides; air pollution, especially in Bogota, from vehicle emissions
International agreements party to: Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94
International agreements signed but not ratified: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Desertification, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping
Air pollutantsSex ratioAt birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
Under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.82 male(s)/female
Total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (1999 est.)
Mothers mean age at first birthMaternal mortality ratioInfant mortality rate: 24.3 deaths/1000 live births (1999 est.)
Life expectancy at birthTotal population: 70.48 years
Male: 66.54 years
Female: 74.54 years (1999 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.87 children born/woman (1999 est.)
Contraceptive prevalence rateDrinking water sourceCurrent health expenditurePhysicians densityHospital bed densitySanitation facility accessHiv/AidsMajor infectious diseasesObesity adult prevalence rateAlcohol consumptionTobacco useChildren under the age of 5 years underweightEducation expendituresLiteracyDefinition: age 15 and over can read and write
Total population: 91.3%
Male: 91.2%
Female: 91.4% (1995 est.)
School life expectancy primary to tertiary educationYouth unemploymenttop of pageCountry nameConventional long form: Republic of Colombia
Conventional short form: Colombia
Local long form: Republica de Colombia
Local short form: Colombia
Government type: republic; executive branch dominates government structure
Capital: Bogota
Administrative divisions: 32 departments (departamentos, singular_departamento) and 1 capital district* (distrito capital; Amazonas, Antioquia, Arauca, Atlantico, Bolivar, Boyaca, Caldas, Caqueta, Casanare, Cauca, Cesar, Choco, Cordoba, Cundinamarca, Guainia, Guaviare, Huila, La Guajira, Magdalena, Meta, Narino, Norte de Santander, Putumayo, Quindio, Risaralda, San Andres y Providencia, Distrito Capital de Santa Fe de Bogota*, Santander, Sucre, Tolima, Valle del Cauca, Vaupes, Vichada
Dependent areasIndependence: 20 July 1810 (from Spain)
National holiday: Independence Day, 20 July (1810)
Constitution: 5 July 1991
Legal system: based on Spanish law; a new criminal code modeled after US procedures was enacted in 1992-93; judicial review of executive and legislative acts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
International law organization participationCitizenshipSuffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branchChief of state: President Andres PASTRANA (since 7 August 1998); Vice President Gustavo BELL (since 7 August 1998); note_the president is both the chief of state and head of government
Head of government: President Andres PASTRANA (since 7 August 1998); Vice President Gustavo BELL (since 7 August 1998); note_the president is both the chief of state and head of government
Cabinet: Cabinet
Elections: president elected by popular vote for a four-year term; election last held 31 May 1998 (next to be held NA May 2002); vice president elected by popular vote for a four-year term in a new procedure that replaces the traditional designation of vice presidents by newly elected presidents; election last held 31 May 1998 (next to be held NA May 2002)
Election results: no candidate received more than 50% of the total vote, therefore, a run-off election to select a president from the two leading candidates was held 21 June 1998; Andres PASTRANA elected president; percent of vote_NA; Gustavo BELL elected vice president; percent of vote_NA
Legislative branch: bicameral Congress or Congreso consists of the Senate or Senado (102 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) and the House of Representatives or Camara de Representantes (161 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)
Elections: Senate_last held NA March 1998 (next to be held NA March 2002); House of Representatives_last held NA March 1998 (next to be held NA March 2002)
Election results: Senate_percent of vote by party_PL 50%, PC 24%, smaller parties (many aligned with conservatives) 26%; seats by party_PL 51, PC 24, smaller parties 27; House of Representatives_percent of vote by party_PL 52%, PC 17%, other 31%; seats by party_NA
Judicial branch: Supreme Court of Justice (Corte Suprema de Justical), highest court of criminal law, judges are selected from the nominees of the Higher Council of Justice for eight-year terms; Council of State, highest court of administrative law, judges are selected from the nominees of the Higher Council of Justice for eight-year terms; Constitutional Court, guards integrity and supremacy of the constitution, rules on constitutionality of laws, amendments to the constitution, and international treaties
Political parties and leadersInternational organization participation: BCIE, CAN, Caricom (observer), CCC, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G- 3, G-11, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO (pending member), ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNU, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representationIn the us chief of mission: Ambassador Luis Alberto MORENO Mejia
In the us chancery: 2,118 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20,008
In the us telephone: [1] (202) 387-8,338
In the us FAX: [1] (202) 232-8,643
In the us consulates general: Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, San Francisco, San Juan (Puerto Rico), and Washington, DC
In the us consulates: Atlanta and Tampa
From the us chief of mission: Ambassador Curtis Warren KAMMAN
From the us embassy: Calle 22D-BIS, numbers 47-51, Apartado Aereo 3,831
From the us mailing address: APO AA 34,038
From the us telephone: [57] (1) 315-0811
From the us FAX: [57] (1) 315-2,197
Flag description
: three horizontal bands of yellow (top, double-width), blue, and red; similar to the flag of Ecuador, which is longer and bears the Ecuadorian coat of arms superimposed in the center
National symbolsNational anthemNational heritagetop of pageEconomy overview: Colombia ended 1998 in recession with 0.2% GDP growth due to a combination of low world oil prices, reduced export demand, guerrilla violence, and diminished investment flows. The Central Bank resorted to interest rate hikes and tight monetary policy to defend the peso against pressure from Colombia's worsening trade and fiscal deficits. President PASTRANA'S well-respected financial team is working to deal with the myriad economic problems the country faces, including the highest unemployment level in decades and a fiscal deficit of close to 5% of GDP in 1998. The government implemented austerity measures, declared emergency measures to guard against a potential banking crisis resulting from the country's economic slowdown, and is seeking international assistance to fund a peace plan with the guerrillas. Guerrilla violence and low world oil prices will likely continue to undermine the economy in 1999.
Real gdp purchasing power parityReal gdp growth rate: 0.2% (1998)
Real gdp per capita: purchasing power parity: $6,600 (1998 est.)
Gross national savingGdp composition by sector of origin
Gdp composition by end useGdp composition by sector of originAgriculture: 19%
Industry: 26%
Services: 55% (1996)
Agriculture products: coffee, cut flowers, bananas, rice, tobacco, corn, sugarcane, cocoa beans, oilseed, vegetables; forest products; shrimp
Industries: textiles, food processing, oil, clothing and footwear, beverages, chemicals, cement; gold, coal, emeralds
Industrial production growth rate: -1.2% (1996)
Labor force: 16.8 million (1997 est.)
By occupation services: 46%
By occupation agriculture: 30%
By occupation industry: 24% (1990)
Unemployment rate: 15.7% (1998 est.)
Youth unemploymentPopulation below poverty line: 17.7% (1992 est.)
Gini indexHousehold income or consumption by percentage shareDistribution of family income gini indexBudgetRevenues: $26 billion (1996 est.)
Expenditures: $30 billion, including capital expenditures of $N/A (1996 est.)
Taxes and other revenuesPublic debtRevenueFiscal year: calendar year
Inflation rate consumer pricesCentral bank discount rateCommercial bank prime lending rateStock of narrow moneyStock of broad moneyStock of domestic creditMarket value of publicly traded sharesCurrent account balanceExports: $11.3 billion (f.o.b., 1998 est.)
Commodities: petroleum, coffee, coal, gold, bananas, cut flowers
Partners: US 38%, EU 23%, Andean Community 18%, Japan 3% (1997)
Imports: $14.4 billion (f.o.b., 1998 est.)
Commodities: industrial equipment, transportation equipment, consumer goods, chemicals, paper products, fuels
Partners: US 42%, EU 23%, Andean Community 14%, Japan 4% (1997)
Reserves of foreign exchange and goldDebt external: $18 billion (1998 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment at homeStock of direct foreign investment abroadExchange rates: Colombian pesos (Col$) per US$1_1,562.0 (February 1999), 1,426.04 (1998), 1,140.96 (1997), 1,036.69 (1996), 912.83 (1995), 844.84 (1994)
top of pageElectricityProduction: 53.725 billion kWh (1996)
Production by source fossil fuel: 19.26%
Production by source hydro: 80.74%
Production by source nuclear: 0%
Production by source other: 0% (1996)
Consumption: 53.857 billion kWh (1996)
Exports: 0 kWh (1996)
Imports: 132 million kWh (1996)
CoalPetroleumCrude oilRefined petroleumNatural gasCarbon dioxide emissionsEnergy consumption per capitatop of pageTelephones: 1.89 million (1986 est.)
Telephone system: modern system in many respects
Domestic: nationwide microwave radio relay system; domestic satellite system with 11 earth stations
International: satellite earth stations_2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Broadcast mediaInternetBroadband fixed subscriptionstop of pageMilitary expendituresDollar figure: $4 billion (1998)
Percent of gdp: 4.2% (1998)
Military and security forcesMilitary service age and obligationSpace programTerrorist groupstop of pageNational air transport systemCivil aircraft registration country code prefixAirports: 1,120 (1998 est.)
With paved runways total: 89
With paved runways over 3047 m: 2
With paved runways 2438 to 3047 m: 9
With paved runways 15-24 to 2437 m: 36
With paved runways 914 to 1523 m: 35
With paved runways under 914 m: 7 (1998 est.)
With unpaved runways total: 1,031
With unpaved runways 2438 to 3047 m: 1
With unpaved runways 15-24 to 2437 m: 63
With unpaved runways 914 to 1523 m: 339
With unpaved runways under 914 m: 628 (1998 est.)
HeliportsPipelines: crude oil 3,585 km; petroleum products 1,350 km; natural gas 830 km; natural gas liquids 125 km
RailwaysTotal: 3,380 km
Standard gauge: 150 km 1.435-m gauge (connects Cerrejon coal mines to maritime port at Bahia de Portete)
Narrow gauge: 3,230 km 0.914-m gauge (1,830 km in use) (1995)
RoadwaysWaterways: 14,300 km, navigable by river boats
Merchant marineTotal: 14 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 64,7,575 GRT/84,518 DWT
Ships by type: bulk 4, cargo 5, container 1, multifunction large-load carrier 2, oil tanker 2 (1998 est.)
Ports and terminalstop of pageDisputes international: maritime boundary dispute with Venezuela in the Gulf of Venezuela; territorial disputes with Nicaragua over Archipelago de San Andres y Providencia and Quita Sueno Bank
Refugees and internally displaced personsIllicit drugs: illicit producer of coca, opium poppies, and cannabis; cultivation of coca in 1997_79,500 hectares, an 18% increase over 1996; potential production of cocaine in 1997_125 metric tons, a 14% increase over 1996; cultivation of opium in 1997_6,600 hectares, a 5% increase over 1996; potential production of opium in 1997_66 metric tons, a 5% increase over 1996; the world's largest processor of coca derivatives into cocaine; supplier of cocaine to the US and other international drug markets; active aerial eradication program seeks to virtually eliminate coca and opium crops