Fact 1: Officially a Megadiverse Country
Did you know that Colombia is statistically dubbed as one of the seventeen 'megadiverse' countries in the world? With about 10% of the world's biodiversity residing here, Colombia is home to more bird species than Europe and North America combined.
Fact 2: World’s Leading Source of Emeralds
Though Brazil and Zambia are known for their emeralds, Colombia surpasses them by providing almost 70-90% of the world’s emerald market. The quality of Colombian emeralds is renowned globally due to their unique warm, vivid green colour which often lacks any bluish tinge.
Fact 3: A Bloom of Orchids
Colombia is the proud parent of over 4,000 species of orchids. The country's national flower is the OrquÃdea, a particular type of orchid. This variety of orchids is due to the diversity of climates and ecosystems that exist within the country.
Fact 4: Freshly Brewed Coffee
Renowned as the world’s third largest producer of coffee, Colombia only exports the finest of beans. The country's special, high-altitude conditions, and the nutritious volcanic soil, add to the rich flavor of Colombian coffee.
Fact 5: A Festival of Flowers
One of the most beautiful events that take place in Colombia annually is the Festival of Flowers in Medellin. Agricultural workers, artists, and proud citizens parade elaborate floats adorned in colourful blooms; a true spectacle not to be missed.
Fact 6: No Seasons
Colombia happens to be a country without seasons. The country is located near the equator which results in almost uniform sunrise and sunset times throughout the year, and the temperatures remain relatively stable year-round.
Fact 7: World’s Largest Open Pit Coal Mine
The Cerrejon in La Guajira is no ordinary coal mine. In fact, it’s the world’s largest open-pit coal mine which stretches 69,000 hectares.
Fact 8: Indigenous Cultures
Despite modernization, Colombia has preserved 87 indigenous cultures, each having its own language and traditions. Out of these, 65 are considered at risk of becoming extinct.
Fact 9: Name Origin
Many might not know that the name 'Colombia' was derived from the name of the famous explorer, Christopher Columbus, even though he never actually set foot in the parts of America that are now known as Colombia.
Fact 10: The Colombian Amazon
Colombia's Amazon Rainforest covers more than 35% of the country, making it an integral part of the world's lungs – the Amazon Rainforest. Here, you will find a wealth of animal and plant species, some of which cannot be found anywhere else.
Fact 11: Shakira Hails From Here
Renowned globally for her flair in music, Shakira, the singer of the famous song "Hips Don't Lie", was born and raised in Barranquilla, a city in northern Colombia.
Fact 12: Literary Achievements
The famous novel, "A Hundred Years Of Solitude" was written by Colombian writer Gabriel Garcia Marquez, who also became a Nobel Laureate for his contribution to literature.
Fact 13: The Golden Legend
El Dorado, the legendary city of gold, sought by numerous expeditions, is believed to be in Colombia. The gold museum in Bogota houses the biggest collection of pre-Hispanic gold work in the world.
Fact 14: Land of Butterflies
Colombia is home to the highest number of butterfly species in the world. Out of the approximate 20,000 species of butterflies worldwide, 3,642 species live in Colombia.
Fact 15: The Only Risk is Wanting to Stay
To combat an image associated with drugs and violence, the Colombian government launched a tourism campaign in the last decade with the slogan, "The only risk is wanting to stay."
Fact 16: Longest Constitution
Colombia’s is the second longest constitution in the world, after India, with 350 articles in total.
Fact 17: Death of Pablo Escobar
The notorious drug lord Pablo Escobar, was killed on a Medellin rooftop in 1993. This led to the end of the Medellin Cartel era, paving the way for relative peace in Colombia.
Fact 18: Walmart's Banana Connection
Disneyland is not the biggest buyer of fireworks, and certainly, Walmart is not the biggest purchaser of bananas, Colombia is. The country is the leading source of bananas for Walmart.
Fact 19: Notorious Hippos
After Pablo Escobar's death, his four pet hippos escaped and procreated, resulting in an estimated population of 80 to 100 today. The Colombian hippo population is currently the largest wild hippo population outside of Africa.
Fact 20: Concrete Happiness
In international surveys, Colombians have been consistently ranked among the world's happiest citizens. Despite the numerous challenges the nation has faced, it thrives with an indomitable spirit of resilience and joy.