Geographically, the western half of Colombia is dominated by the Andes Mountains, which become the three great mountain ranges, the Western, the Central and Eastern Cordillera. The landscape of Colombia is a variety of snowcapped mountains, equatorial rainforests and jungles which can record the highest rainfall in South America, plus beautiful beaches on the Pacific as well as the Caribbean Sea, lowlands with forests and many rivers and lakes.
Colombia has the most diverse numbers of plants and animal species in the world. They claim to have 1900 recorded species of birds alone, which would make it more than you will find in Europe and North America combined. Ground animals and marine life are abundant as well. There is a water lily plant that is strong enough to support a child.
The population of Colombia is diverse, a mixture from ancient to colonial to modern times. About 58% are mestizos, a mixture of European and Native Americans, 14% are mulattos, a mixture of black and Europeans, and 20% are of unmixed European decent. Three fourth of the population live in towns and cities, it is an urbanized country.
Due to the ethnic background, Colombia has a variety of music. The music that Colombians like the most is called murga, it is played by wandering street musicians using string instruments. The folk and dance music of the country in influenced by the history of the native Americans and the Africans. Bambuco is the national dance, but Salsa is equally popular.
Farmers raise the world ‘s renowned coffee. Fruit, flower and textile industries have prospered. Colombia sells half of the world’s emeralds and considerable amounts of gold, silver and platinum. |