republic; executive branch dominates government structure
republic; multiparty presidential regime established 1960 note: the government is currently operating under a power-sharing agreement mandated by international mediators
Independence date
20 July 1810 (from Spain)
Religions
Roman Catholic 90%, other 10%
Muslim 38.6%, Christian 32.8%, indigenous 11.9%, none 16.7% (2008 est) note: the majority of foreigners (migratory workers) are Muslim (70%) and Christian (20%)
Languages
Spanish
French (official), 60 native dialects with Dioula the most widely spoken
Colombian pesos (COP) per US dollar - 2,302.9 (2008 est.), 2,013.8 (2007), 2,358.6 (2006), 2,320.75 (2005), 2,628.61 (2004)
Military Budget as percentage of GDP
3.400%
Beijing Olympics Medal Count
2
0
Location
Northern South America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Panama and Venezuela, and bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between Ecuador and Panama
Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Ghana and Liberia
Area
1,138,910 km sq
322,463 km sq
Coastline
3,208 km
515 km
Climate
tropical along coast and eastern plains; cooler in highlands
tropical along coast, semiarid in far north; three seasons - warm and dry (November to March), hot and dry (March to May), hot and wet (June to October)
