Colombia

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With dramatically beautiful rainforests, mountains and beaches, lovely cities and enchanting people, Colombia should be a magnet for travelers . Unfortunately, the activites of guerillas and cocaine thugs have pushed 'Locombia' (the mad country) somewhat off-limits.

For most, Colombia is unknown territory - a land of myths and threat, thick with thugs, drug dealers and treasure. It's generally seen as a place to avoid rather than as a place to visit. Throughout its stormy history, it has hosted innumerable civil wars and has endured South America's longest guerrilla insurgency.

However, visitors to the country are often struck by how normal and orderly everyday life is, despite all the problems the country is going through. Most leave Colombia safe and inspired. Few experience security problems. If you take the necessary precautions, you'll find Colombia one of the world's most sensual, wild, complex and fascinating countries.

Warning

Overall, while internal security in the country is on the up, Colombia can be a dangerous place to travel. Theft is the most common danger, so take every precaution to keep belongings secure.

Officially, there are 3000 abductions per year. Tourists aren't targets specifically, but cases have been reported. The police have a mixed reputation, so avoid them unless absolutely necessary. Be aware that criminals may impersonate police. On a more positive note, there is an increased number of tourist police.

Areas of reasonably safe travel are limited due to military activity. The entire area east of the Andes (except Leticia and its environs) should be avoided, as should off-the-beaten-track travel. Avoid demonstrations and political gatherings. Drugs, especially cocaine and its derivatives, are prevalent and you should never be found in possession of them. Don't accept drinks or cigarettes from strangers as they may be laced with borrachero, a tasteless, odourless soporific drug.

There is also a risk of yellow fever along the coastal region of the northern state of Magdalena.

Full country name: Republic of Colombia
Area: 1.14 million sq km
Population: 45 million
Capital City: Bogotá (pop: 5 million)
People: 58% mestizo (of European-Indian descent), 20% European descent, 14% mulatto (African-European descent), 4% African descent, 3% African-Indian descent, 1% indigenous
Language: Spanish
Religion: Catholic (95%), with the remainder a mixture of traditional, Episcopal & Jewish faiths
Government: republic
Head of State: President Álvaro Uribe Vélez

GDP: US$254 billion
GDP per capita: US$6,200
Inflation: 16.7%
Major Industries: Textiles, coffee, oil, narcotics, sugar cane, food processing.
Major Trading Partners: US,EU

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