Axion 3D Atlas/ATLAS.iso/stats/53.txt

Text File | 1998-01-23 | 15KB | 365 lines

{bitmap= 26,50,"flags\Colom.bmp"}
{bigtext=150,120,"Colombia"}



{1}Geography{4}
{4}To see a map of Colombia, click {z,"-85.781597,-4.443070,-61.414757,14.054721",here}{4}!

{2}Location:{4} Northern South America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Panama and
Venezuela, and bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between Ecuador and Panama

{2}Area:{4}
{3}total area:{4} 1,138,910 sq km
{3}land area:{4} 1,038,700 sq km
{3}comparative area:{4} slightly less than three times the size of Montana
{3}note:{4} includes Isla de Malpelo, Roncador Cay, Serrana Bank, and Serranilla Bank

{2}Land boundaries:{4}
{3}total:{4} 7,408 km
{3}border countries:{4} Brazil 1,643 km, Ecuador 590 km, Panama 225 km, Peru 2,900 km, Venezuela
2,050 km

{2}Coastline:{4} 3,208 km (Caribbean Sea 1,760 km, North Pacific Ocean 1,448 km)

{2}Maritime claims:{4}
{3}continental shelf:{4} 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
{3}exclusive economic zone:{4} 200 nm
{3}territorial sea:{4} 12 nm

{2}International disputes:{4} maritime boundary dispute with Venezuela in the Gulf of Venezuela;
territorial dispute with Nicaragua over Archipelago de San Andres y Providencia and Quita Sueno
Bank

{2}Climate:{4} tropical along coast and eastern plains; cooler in highlands

{2}Terrain:{4} flat coastal lowlands, central highlands, high Andes Mountains, eastern lowland plains
{3}lowest point:{4} Pacific Ocean 0 m
{3}highest point:{4} Nevado del Huila 5,750 m

{2}Natural resources:{4} petroleum, natural gas, coal, iron ore, nickel, gold, copper, emeralds

{2}Land use:{4}
{3}arable land:{4} 4%
{3}permanent crops:{4} 2%
{3}meadows and pastures:{4} 29%
{3}forest and woodland:{4} 49%
{3}other:{4} 16%

{2}Irrigated land:{4} 5,150 sq km (1989 est.)

{2}Environment:{4}
{3}current issues:{4} deforestation; soil damage from overuse of pesticides; air pollution, especially in
Bogota, from vehicle emissions

{2}natural hazards:{4} highlands subject to volcanic eruptions; occasional earthquakes; periodic
droughts

{2}international agreements:{4} party to - Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered
Species, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution,
Tropical Timber 83; signed, but not ratified - Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Desertification,
Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Tropical Timber 94

{2}Geographic note:{4} only South American country with coastlines on both North Pacific Ocean and
Caribbean Sea


{1}People{4}

{2}Population:{4} 36,813,161 (July 1996 est.)

{2}Age structure:{4}
{3}0-14 years:{4} 32% (male 5,948,599; female 5,806,450)
{3}15-64 years:{4} 64% (male 11,496,931; female 11,890,875)
{3}65 years and over:{4} 4% (male 741,788; female 928,518) (July 1996 est.)

{2}Population growth rate:{4} 1.66% (1996 est.)

{2}Birth rate:{4} 21.34 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)

{2}Death rate:{4} 4.65 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)

{2}Net migration rate:{4} -0.13 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)

{2}Sex ratio:{4}
{3}at birth:{4} 1.03 male(s)/female
{3}under 15 years:{4} 1.02 male(s)/female
{3}15-64 years:{4} 0.97 male(s)/female
{3}65 years and over:{4} 0.8 male(s)/female
{3}all ages:{4} 0.98 male(s)/female (1996 est.)

{2}Infant mortality rate:{4} 25.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)

{2}Life expectancy at birth:{4}
{3}total population:{4} 72.81 years
{3}male:{4} 69.97 years
{3}female:{4} 75.73 years (1996 est.)

{2}Total fertility rate:{4} 2.35 children born/woman (1996 est.)

{2}Nationality:{4}
{3}noun:{4} Colombian(s)
{3}adjective:{4} Colombian

{2}Ethnic divisions:{4} mestizo 58%, white 20%, mulatto 14%, black 4%, mixed black-Indian 3%,
Indian 1%

{2}Religions:{4} Roman Catholic 95%

{2}Languages:{4} Spanish

{2}Literacy:{4} age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
{3}total population:{4} 91.3%
{3}male:{4} 91.2%
{3}female:{4} 91.4%


{1}Government{4}

{2}Name of country:{4}
{3}conventional long form:{4} Republic of Colombia
{3}conventional short form:{4} Colombia
{3}local long form:{4} Republica de Colombia
{3}local short form:{4} Colombia

{2}Type of government:{4} republic; executive branch dominates government structure

{2}Capital:{4} Bogota

{2}Administrative divisions:{4} 32 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento) and 1 capital
district* (distrito capital); Amazonas, Antioquia, Arauca, Atlantico, Bogota*, 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, Santander, Sucre, Tolima, Valle del Cauca, Vaupes, Vichada

{2}Independence:{4} 20 July 1810 (from Spain)

{2}National holiday:{4} Independence Day, 20 July (1810)

{2}Constitution:{4} 5 July 1991

{2}Legal system:{4} 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

{2}Suffrage:{4} 18 years of age; universal and compulsory

{2}Executive branch:{4}
chief of state and head of government: President Ernesto SAMPER Pizano (since 7 August 1994)
elected for a four-year term by popular vote; election last held 29 May 1994 (next to be held NA
May 1998) results - no candidate received more than 50% of the total vote; a run-off election to
select a president from the two leading candidates was held 19 June 1994; results - Ernesto
SAMPER Pizano (Liberal Party) 50.4%, Andres PASTRANA Arango (Conservative Party) 48.6%,
blank votes 1%; Humberto de la CALLE Lombana elected vice president for a four-year term by
popular vote in a new procedure that replaces the traditional designation of vice presidents by
newly elected presidents
{3}cabinet:{4} Cabinet

{2}Legislative branch:{4} bicameral Congress (Congreso)
Senate (Senado): elections last held 13 March 1994 (next to be held NA March 1998); results -
percent of vote by party NA; seats - (102 total) Liberal Party 59, conservatives (includes PC,
MSN, and NDF) 31, other 12
House of Representatives (Camara de Representantes): elections last held 13 March 1994 (next
to be held NA March 1998); seats - (161 total) Liberal Party 89, conservatives (includes PC, MSN,
and NDF) 53, AD/M-19 2, other 17

{2}Judicial branch:{4} 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

{2}Political parties and leaders:{4} Liberal Party (PL), Luis Fernando JARAMILLO; Conservative Party
(PC), Jaime ARIAS; New Democratic Force (NDF), Andres PASTRANA Arango; Democratic
Alliance M-19 (AD/M-19) is a coalition of small leftist parties and dissident liberals and
conservatives; Patriotic Union (UP) is a legal political party formed by Revolutionary Armed
Forces of Colombia (FARC) and Colombian Communist Party (PCC), Aida ABELLA; National
Salvation Movement (MSN) Alvaro GOMEZ Hurtado

{2}Other political or pressure groups:{4} three insurgent groups are active in Colombia - Revolutionary
Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC); National Liberation Army (ELN); and dissidents of the recently
demobilized People's Liberation Army (EPL/D)

{2}International organization participation:{4} AG, CCC, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G- 3, G-11, G-24, G-77,
IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat,
Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD,
UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNU, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO

{2}Diplomatic representation in US:{4}
{3}chief of mission:{4} Ambassador Carlos LLERAS de la Fuente
{3}chancery:{4} 2118 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008
{3}telephone:{4} [1] [phone]
{3}FAX:{4} [1] [phone]
{3}consulate(s) general:{4} Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York,
San Francisco, San Juan (Puerto Rico), and Washington, DC
consulate(s): Atlanta and Tampa

{2}US diplomatic representation:{4}
{3}chief of mission:{4} Ambassador Myles R. R. FRECHETTE
{3}embassy:{4} Calle 22D-BIS, No. 47-51, Apartado Aereo 3831
{3}mailing address:{4} APO AA 34038
{3}telephone:{4} [57] (1) 315-0811
{3}FAX:{4} [57] (1) 315-2197
consulate(s): Barranquilla

{2}Flag:{4} 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


{1}Economy{4}

{2}Economic overview:{4} Boasting a diversified and stable economy, Colombia has enjoyed Latin
America's most consistent record of growth over the last several decades. Gross domestic
product (GDP) has expanded every year for more than 25 years, and unlike many other South
American countries, Colombia did not default on any of its official debts during the "lost decade" of
the 1980s. Since 1990, when Bogota introduced a comprehensive reform program that opened the
economy to foreign trade and investment, GDP growth has averaged more than 4% annually.
Growth has been fueled in recent years by the expansion of the construction and financial service
industries and an influx of foreign capital. Some foreign investors have been deterred by an
inadequate energy and transportation infrastructure and the violence stemming from drug
trafficking and persistent rural guerrilla warfare, but direct foreign investment, especially in the oil
industry, is still rising at a rapid rate. Although oil consequently is overtaking coffee as the main
legal export, earnings from illicit drugs probably exceed those from any other export. Non-
petroleum economic growth has been slowing, however, in part because the tight monetary
policies adopted to offset the inflationary impact of high capital inflows and rising government
spending have slowed local sales and investment. Business confidence also has been damaged
by a political crisis stemming from allegations that senior government officials, including President
SAMPER, solicited contributions from drug traffickers during the 1994 election campaign. The
slowdown in the growth of labor-intensive industries such as manufacturing has caused a small
rise in unemployment and interfered with President SAMPER'S plans to lower the country's
poverty rate, which has remained at about 40% despite the expanding economy. Nevertheless,
the booming oil sector, growing foreign investment, and the fundamental stability of the economy
promise to keep growth positive for the foreseeable future, barring severe, unpredictable shocks
from developments in the political or international arenas.

{2}GDP:{4} purchasing power parity - $192.5 billion (1995 est.)

{2}GDP real growth rate:{4} 5.3% (1995 est.)

{2}GDP per capita:{4} $5,300 (1995 est.)

{2}GDP composition by sector:{4}
{3}agriculture:{4} 21.5%
{3}industry:{4} 29%
{3}services:{4} 49.5%

{2}Inflation rate (consumer prices):{4} 19.5% (1995 est.)

{2}Labor force:{4} 12 million (1990)
{3}by occupation:{4} services 46%, agriculture 30%, industry 24% (1990)

{2}Unemployment rate:{4} 9.5% (1995)

{2}Budget:{4}
{3}revenues:{4} $NA
{3}expenditures:{4} $24 billion including capital expenditures of $NA (1996 est.)

{2}Industries:{4} textiles, food processing, oil, clothing and footwear, beverages, chemicals, cement;
gold, coal, emeralds

{2}Industrial production growth rate:{4} 3.5% (1995 est.)

{2}Electricity:{4}
{3}capacity:{4} 10,220,000 kW
{3}production:{4} 33 billion kWh
{3}consumption per capita:{4} 890 kWh (1993)

{2}Agriculture:{4} coffee, cut flowers, bananas, rice, tobacco, corn, sugarcane, cocoa beans, oilseed,
vegetables; forest products; shrimp farming

{2}Illicit drugs:{4} illicit producer of coca, opium poppies, and cannabis; about 50,900 hectares of coca
under cultivation in 1995; 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 by 1997

{2}Exports:{4} $10.5 billion (f.o.b., 1995 est.)
{3}commodities:{4} petroleum, coffee, coal, bananas, fresh cut flowers
{3}partners:{4} US 39%, EC 25.7%, Japan 2.9%, Venezuela 8.5% (1992)

{2}Imports:{4} $13.5 billion (c.i.f., 1995 est.)
{3}commodities:{4} industrial equipment, transportation equipment, consumer goods, chemicals, paper
products
{3}partners:{4} US 36%, EC 18%, Brazil 4%, Venezuela 6.5%, Japan 8.7% (1992)

{2}External debt:{4} $14 billion (1995 est.)

{2}Economic aid:{4}
{3}recipient:{4} ODA, $30 million (1993)

{2}Currency:{4} 1 Colombian peso (Col$) = 100 centavos

{2}Exchange rates:{4} Colombian pesos (Col$) per US$1 - 1,011.11 (January 1996), 912.83 (1995),
844.84 (1994), 863.06 (1993), 759.28 (1992), 633.05 (1991)

{2}Fiscal year:{4} calendar year


{1}Transportation{4}

{2}Railways:{4}
{3}total:{4} 3,386 km
standard gauge: 150 km 1.435-m gauge (connects Cerrejon coal mines to maritime port at Bahia
Portete)
narrow gauge: 3,236 km 0.914-m gauge (1830 km in use) (1995)

{2}Highways:{4}
{3}total:{4} 107,200 km
{3}paved:{4} 12,600 km
{3}unpaved:{4} 94,600 km

{2}Waterways:{4} 14,300 km, navigable by river boats

{2}Pipelines:{4} crude oil 3,585 km; petroleum products 1,350 km; natural gas 830 km; natural gas
liquids 125 km

{2}Ports:{4} Barranquilla, Buenaventura, Cartagena, Leticia, Puerto Bolivar, San Andres, Santa Marta,
Tumaco, Turbo

{2}Merchant marine:{4}
{3}total:{4} 19 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 97,037 GRT/129,404 DWT
{3}ships by type:{4} bulk 5, cargo 8, container 3, oil tanker 3 (1995 est.)

{2}Airports:{4}
{3}total:{4} 989
{3}with paved runways over 3,047 m:{4} 2
{3}with paved runways 2,438 to 3,047 m:{4} 9
{3}with paved runways 1,524 to 2,437 m:{4} 33
{3}with paved runways 914 to 1,523 m:{4} 35
{3}with paved runways under 914 m:{4} 557
{3}with unpaved runways 2,438 to 3,047 m:{4} 1
{3}with unpaved runways 1,524 to 2,437 m:{4} 41
{3}with unpaved runways 914 to 1,523 m:{4} 311 (1995 est.)


{1}Communications{4}

{2}Telephones:{4} 1.89 million (1986 est.)

{2}Telephone system:{4} modern system in many respects
{3}domestic:{4} nationwide microwave radio relay system; domestic satellite system with 11 earth
stations
{3}international:{4} satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

{2}Radio broadcast stations:{4} AM 413 (licensed), FM 217 (licensed), shortwave 28

{2}Radios:{4} NA

{2}Television broadcast stations:{4} 33

{2}Televisions:{4} 5.5 million (1993 est.)


{1}Defense{4}

{2}Branches:{4} Army (Ejercito Nacional), Navy (Armada Nacional, includes Marines and Coast Guard),
Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Colombiana), National Police (Policia Nacional)

{2}Manpower availability:{4}
{3}males age 15-49:{4} 10,067,538
{3}males fit for military service:{4} 6,774,105
{3}males reach military age (18) annually:{4} 346,372 (1996 est.)

{2}Defense expenditures:{4} exchange rate conversion - $2 billion, 2.8% of GDP (1995)