“It is very difficult to talk about a Colombian way of being. Instead, you can talk about a regional way of being and consider Colombia as the sum of those regions and of all those cultural identities.”
-David Sanchez Juliao, sociologist
Mi Colombia
Colombia’s President: Álvaro Uribe
Colombia’s Government: Democratic Republic with separate executive, legislative and judicial branches
Official Language: Spanish
Religions: 90% Roman Catholic; 10% other
National Holiday: Independence Day, 20 July (1810)
Currency: Peso
Colombia is a land of great beauty and diversity. Its essence is difficult to distill, but easy to celebrate. The country’s geography is diverse. Soaring mountains, white sandy beaches, roaring waterfalls and cool rivers color the landscape. The rhythms of cumbia, vellanto and porro vibrate through people’s daily lives. City streets share ancient buildings and starkly modern glass towers. Festivals and carnivals dot the calendar, and people gather to honor family traditions. The Colombian people are warm, witty, resilient, contemplative, resourceful, artistic and creative. Their pride in their heritage is an essential component of their souls.
“I have never ceased being a Colombian. My country and my ‘Paisa’ origin have been my strength and spirit, the essence of my artistic creation.”
-Fernando Botero
Population: 43,593,035 (July 2006 est.)
| 0-14 years: | 30.3% |
| 15-64 years: | 64.5% |
| 65 years and over: | 5.2% |
Source: CIA Fact Book
The President, 1987
Fernando Botero
Sources for the information featured throughout this section:
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© 2007 San Antonio Museum of Art, the Southwest School of Art & Craft, the San Antonio Public Library Foundation and KLRN |
