Colombia

Broadcast media

combination of state-owned and privately-owned broadcast media provide service; more than 500 radio stations and many national, regional, and local TV stations (2007)

Internet country code

.co

Internet hosts

4.41 million (2012) country comparison to the world: 24

Internet users

22.538 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 18

Telephone system

general assessment: modern system in many respects with a nationwide microwave radio relay system, a domestic satellite system with 41 earth stations, and a fiber-optic network linking 50 cities; telecommunications sector liberalized during the 1990s; multiple providers of both fixed-line and mobile-cellular services domestic: fixed-line connections stand at about 15 per 100 persons; mobile cellular telephone subscribership is 100 per 100 persons; competition among cellular service providers is resulting in falling local and international calling rates and contributing to the steep decline in the market share of fixed line services international: country code - 57; multiple submarine cable systems provide links to the US, parts of the Caribbean, and Central and South America; satellite earth stations - 10 (6 Intelsat, 1 Inmarsat, 3 fully digitalized international switching centers) (2011)

Telephones - main lines in use

7.127 million (2011) country comparison to the world: 26

Telephones - mobile cellular

46.2 million (2011) country comparison to the world: 29

Agriculture - products

coffee, cut flowers, bananas, rice, tobacco, corn, sugarcane, cocoa beans, oilseed, vegetables; shrimp; forest products

Budget

revenues: $104.2 billion expenditures: $106 billion (2012 est.)

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-0.5% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 51

Central bank discount rate

4.75% (31 December 2011) country comparison to the world: 72 5% (31 December 2010)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

12.7% (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 72 11.22% (31 December 2011 est.)

Current account balance

-$13.29 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 178 -$9.978 billion (2011 est.)

Debt - external

$73.41 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 50 $70.04 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

56 (2010) country comparison to the world: 10 53.8 (1996)

Economy - overview

Colombia's consistently sound economic policies and aggressive promotion of free trade agreements in recent years have bolstered its ability to face external shocks. Real GDP has grown more than 4% per year for the past three years, continuing almost a decade of strong economic performance. All three major ratings agencies have upgraded Colombia's government debt to investment grade. Nevertheless, Colombia depends heavily on oil exports, making it vulnerable to a drop in oil prices. Economic development is stymied by inadequate infrastructure, weakened further by recent flooding. Moreover, the unemployment rate of 10.3% in 2012 is still one of Latin America's highest. The SANTOS Administration's foreign policy has focused on bolstering Colombia's commercial ties and boosting investment at home. The US-Colombia Free Trade Agreement (FTA) was ratified by the US Congress in October 2011 and implemented in 2012. Columbia has signed or is negotiating FTAs with a number of other countries, including Canada, Chile, Mexico, Switzerland, the EU, Venezuela, South Korea, Turkey, Japan, and Israel. Foreign direct investment - notably in the oil sector - reached a record $10 billion in 2008 but dropped to $7.2 billion in 2009, before beginning to recover in 2010, and reached a record high of nearly $16 billion in 2012. Colombia is the third largest Latin American exporter of oil to the US. Inequality, underemployment, and narcotrafficking remain significant challenges, and Colombia's infrastructure requires major improvements to sustain economic expansion.

Exchange rates

Colombian pesos (COP) per US dollar - 1,800.4 (2012 est.) 1,848 (2011 est.) 1,898.6 (2010 est.) 2,157.6 (2009) 2,243.6 (2008)

Exports

$59.96 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 55 $56.22 billion (2011 est.)

Exports - commodities

petroleum, coal, emeralds, coffee, nickel, cut flowers, bananas, apparel

Exports - partners

US 42%, Netherlands 4.7%, China 4.2% (2011)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP (official exchange rate)

$365.4 billion (2012 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$500 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 29 $479.6 billion (2011 est.) $452.8 billion (2010 est.) note: data are in 2012 US dollars

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture: 6.8% industry: 38.1% services: 55.1% (2012 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$10,700 (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 110 $10,400 (2011 est.) $9,900 (2010 est.) note: data are in 2012 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

4.3% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 75 5.9% (2011 est.) 4% (2010 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 0.9% highest 10%: 44.4% (2010 est.)

Imports

$55.49 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 54 $50.73 billion (2011 est.)

Imports - commodities

industrial equipment, transportation equipment, consumer goods, chemicals, paper products, fuels, electricity

Imports - partners

US 29.2%, China 11.9%, Mexico 11.5%, Brazil 5.3% (2011)

Industrial production growth rate

4.8% (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 71

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

3.2% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 86 3.4% (2011 est.)

Investment (gross fixed)

24.1% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 55

Labor force

23.08 million (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 29

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture: 18% industry: 13% services: 68% (2011 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$201.3 billion (31 December 2011) country comparison to the world: 34 $208.5 billion (31 December 2010) $133.3 billion (31 December 2009)

Population below poverty line

37.2% (2010 est.)

Public debt

40.2% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 88 43.4% of GDP (2011 est.) note: data cover general government debt, and includes debt instruments issued (or owned) by government entities other than the treasury; the data include treasury debt held by foreign entities; the data include debt issued by subnational entities

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$34.74 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 46 $31.91 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of broad money

$151.2 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 48 $119.8 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$32.56 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 41 $31.12 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$111.5 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 37 $95.67 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$165.5 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 44 $131.1 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$41.9 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 49 $35.45 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

28.5% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 110

Unemployment rate

10.3% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 113 10.8% (2011 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

72.31 million Mt (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 47

Crude oil - exports

361,700 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 23

Crude oil - imports

0.11 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 83

Crude oil - production

932,100 bbl/day (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 23

Crude oil - proved reserves

2.417 billion bbl (1 January 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 34

Electricity - consumption

46.39 billion kWh (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 47

Electricity - exports

1.294 billion kWh (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 55

Electricity - from fossil fuels

32.9% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 177

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

66.6% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 25

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 69

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0.4% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 76

Electricity - imports

8.22 billion kWh (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 27

Electricity - installed generating capacity

13.54 million kW (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 47

Electricity - production

56.28 billion kWh (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 47

Natural gas - consumption

9.08 billion cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 50

Natural gas - exports

2.18 billion cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 39

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 179

Natural gas - production

11.26 billion cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 43

Natural gas - proved reserves

134.1 billion cu m (1 January 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 51

Refined petroleum products - consumption

287,000 bbl/day (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 46

Refined petroleum products - exports

52,680 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 57

Refined petroleum products - imports

6,045 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 149

Refined petroleum products - production

316,500 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 42

Area

total: 1,138,910 sq km country comparison to the world: 26 land: 1,038,700 sq km water: 100,210 sq km note: includes Isla de Malpelo, Roncador Cay, and Serrana Bank

Area - comparative

slightly less than twice the size of Texas

Climate

tropical along coast and eastern plains; cooler in highlands

Coastline

3,208 km (Caribbean Sea 1,760 km, North Pacific Ocean 1,448 km)

Elevation extremes

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Pico Cristobal Colon 5,775 m note: nearby Pico Simon Bolivar also has the same elevation

Environment - current issues

deforestation; soil and water quality damage from overuse of pesticides; air pollution, especially in Bogota, from vehicle emissions

Environment - international agreements

party to: Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

total: 10.71 cu km/yr (50%/4%/46%) per capita: 235 cu m/yr (2000)

Geographic coordinates

4 00 N, 72 00 W

Geography - note

only South American country with coastlines on both the North Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea

Irrigated land

9,000 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries

total: 6,309 km border countries: Brazil 1,644 km, Ecuador 590 km, Panama 225 km, Peru 1,800 km, Venezuela 2,050 km

Land use

arable land: 2.01% permanent crops: 1.37% other: 96.62% (2005)

Location

Northern South America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Panama and Venezuela, and bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between Ecuador and Panama

Map references

South America

Maritime claims

territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation

Natural hazards

highlands subject to volcanic eruptions; occasional earthquakes; periodic droughts volcanism: Galeras (elev. 4,276 m) is one of Colombia's most active volcanoes, having erupted in 2009 and 2010 causing major evacuations; it has been deemed a "Decade Volcano" by the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior, worthy of study due to its explosive history and close proximity to human populations; Nevado del Ruiz (elev. 5,321 m), 129 km (80 mi) west of Bogota, erupted in 1985 producing lahars that killed 23,000 people; the volcano last erupted in 1991; additionally, after 500 years of dormancy, Nevado del Huila reawakened in 2007 and has experienced frequent eruptions since then; other historically active volcanoes include Cumbal, Dona Juana, Nevado del Tolima, and Purace

Natural resources

petroleum, natural gas, coal, iron ore, nickel, gold, copper, emeralds, hydropower

Terrain

flat coastal lowlands, central highlands, high Andes Mountains, eastern lowland plains

Total renewable water resources

2,132 cu km (2000)

Administrative divisions

32 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento) and 1 capital district* (distrito capital); Amazonas, Antioquia, Arauca, Atlantico, Bogota*, Bolivar, Boyaca, Caldas, Caqueta, Casanare, Cauca, Cesar, Choco, Cordoba, Cundinamarca, Guainia, Guaviare, Huila, La Guajira, Magdalena, Meta, Narino, Norte de Santander, Putumayo, Quindio, Risaralda, Archipielago de San Andres, Providencia y Santa Catalina (colloquially San Andres y Providencia), Santander, Sucre, Tolima, Valle del Cauca, Vaupes, Vichada

Capital

name: Bogota geographic coordinates: 4 36 N, 74 05 W time difference: UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution

5 July 1991; amended many times

Country name

conventional long form: Republic of Colombia conventional short form: Colombia local long form: Republica de Colombia local short form: Colombia

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Michael MCKINLEY embassy: Calle 24 Bis No. 48-50, Bogota, D.C. mailing address: Carrera 45 No. 24B-27, Bogota, D.C. telephone: [57] (1) 275-2000 FAX: [57] (1) 275-4600

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Carlos URRUTIA Valenzuela chancery: 2118 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 387-8338 FAX: [1] (202) 232-8643 consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco, San Juan (Puerto Rico), Washington, DC

Executive branch

chief of state: President Juan Manuel SANTOS Calderon (since 7 August 2010); Vice President Angelino GARZON (since 7 August 2010); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Juan Manuel SANTOS Calderon (since 7 August 2010); Vice President Angelino GARZON (since 7 August 2010) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president (For more information visit theWorld Leaders website) elections: president and vice president elected by popular vote for a four-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 30 May 2010 with a runoff election 20 June 2010 (next to be held in May 2014) election results: Juan Manuel SANTOS Calderon elected president in runoff election; percent of vote - Juan Manuel SANTOS Calderon 69.06%, Antanas MOCKUS 27.52%

Flag description

three horizontal bands of yellow (top, double-width), blue, and red; the flag retains the three main colors of the banner of Gran Colombia, the short-lived South American republic that broke up in 1830; various interpretations of the colors exist and include: yellow for the gold in Colombia's land, blue for the seas on its shores, and red for the blood spilled in attaining freedom; alternatively, the colors have been described as representing more elemental concepts such as sovereignty and justice (yellow), loyalty and vigilance (blue), and valor and generosity (red); or simply the principles of liberty, equality, and fraternity note: similar to the flag of Ecuador, which is longer and bears the Ecuadorian coat of arms superimposed in the center

Government type

republic; executive branch dominates government structure

Independence

20 July 1810 (from Spain)

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International organization participation

BCIE, BIS, CAN, Caricom (observer), CD, CDB, CELAC, FAO, G-3, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAES, LAIA, Mercosur (associate), MIGA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNSC (temporary), UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch

four roughly coequal, supreme judicial organs; Supreme Court of Justice or Corte Suprema de Justicia (highest court of criminal law; judges are selected by their peers from the nominees of the Superior Judicial Council for eight-year terms); Council of State (highest court of administrative law; judges are selected from the nominees of the Superior Judicial Council for eight-year terms); Constitutional Court (guards integrity and supremacy of the constitution; rules on constitutionality of laws, amendments to the constitution, and international treaties); Superior Judicial Council (administers and disciplines the civilian judiciary; resolves jurisdictional conflicts arising between other courts; members are elected by three sister courts and Congress for eight-year terms)

Legal system

civil law system influenced by the Spanish and French civil codes

Legislative branch

bicameral Congress or Congreso consists of the Senate or Senado (102 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) and the Chamber of Representatives or Camara de Representantes (166 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: Senate - last held on 14 March 2010 (next to be held in March 2014); Chamber of Representatives - last held on 14 March 2010 (next to be held in March 2014) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - U Party 28, PC 22, PL 16, PIN 9, CR 8, PDA 8, Green Party 5, other parties 5; Chamber of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - U Party 47, PC 37, PL 36, CR 16, PIN 12, PDA 4, Green Party 3, other parties 10; note - as of 1 January 2011, the Senate currently has 101 seats after one seat became vacant due to a PL senator losing their seat for illegal collusion with the FARC; the Chamber of Representatives also has one seat vacant after only 165 of the 166 candidates were credentialed

National anthem

name: "Himno Nacional de la Republica de Colombia" (National Anthem of the Republic of Colombia) lyrics/music: Rafael NUNEZ/Oreste SINDICI note: adopted 1920; the anthem was created from an inspirational poem written by President Rafael NUNEZ

National holiday

Independence Day, 20 July (1810)

National symbol(s)

Andean condor

Political parties and leaders

Alternative Democratic Pole or PDA [Clara LOPEZ]; Conservative Party or PC [Efrain CEPEDA Sarabia]; Green Party [Jorge LONDONO Ulloa; Enrique PENALOSA]; Liberal Party or PL [Simon GAVIRIA Munoz]; National Integration Party or PIN [Angel ALIRIO Moreno]; Radical Change or CR [Antonio GUERRA de la Espriella]; Social National Unity Party or U Party [Juan Francisco LOZANO Ramirez] note: Colombia has seven major political parties, and numerous smaller movements

Political pressure groups and leaders

Central Union of Workers or CUT; Colombian Confederation of Workers or CTC; General Confederation of Workers or CGT; National Liberation Army or ELN; Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia or FARC note: FARC and ELN are the two largest insurgent groups active in Colombia

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Background

Colombia was one of the three countries that emerged from the collapse of Gran Colombia in 1830 (the others are Ecuador and Venezuela). A four-decade long conflict between government forces and anti-government insurgent groups, principally the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) heavily funded by the drug trade, escalated during the 1990s. More than 31,000 former paramilitaries had demobilized by the end of 2006 and the United Self Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC) as a formal organization had ceased to function. In the wake of the paramilitary demobilization, emerging criminal groups arose, whose members include some former paramilitaries. The insurgents lack the military or popular support necessary to overthrow the government, but continue attacks against civilians. Large areas of the countryside are under guerrilla influence or are contested by security forces. In October 2012, the Colombian Government started formal peace negotiations with the FARC aimed at reaching a definitive bilateral ceasefire and incorporating demobilized FARC members into mainstream society and politics. The Colombian Government has stepped up efforts to reassert government control throughout the country, and now has a presence in every one of its administrative departments. Despite decades of internal conflict and drug related security challenges, Colombia maintains relatively strong democratic institutions characterized by peaceful, transparent elections, and the protection of civil liberties.

Manpower available for military service

males age 16-49: 11,692,647 females age 16-49: 11,727,625 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 16-49: 9,150,400 females age 16-49: 9,861,760 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

male: 430,634 female: 413,974 (2010 est.)

Military branches

National Army (Ejercito Nacional), Republic of Colombia Navy (Armada Republica de Colombia, ARC, includes Naval Aviation, Naval Infantry (Infanteria de Marina, IM), and Coast Guard), Colombian Air Force (Fuerza Aerea de Colombia, FAC) (2011)

Military expenditures

3.4% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 33

Military service age and obligation

18-24 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service; service obligation - 18 months (2004)

Age structure

0-14 years: 26.2% (male 6,069,920/ female 5,793,672) 15-64 years: 67.5% (male 15,080,432/ female 15,440,517) 65 years and over: 6.3% (male 1,198,524/ female 1,656,014) (2012 est.)

Birth rate

17.23 births/1,000 population (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 117

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

5.1% (2005) country comparison to the world: 84

Death rate

5.29 deaths/1,000 population (July 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 177

Demographic profile

Colombia is in the midst of a demographic transition resulting from steady declines in its fertility, mortality, and population growth rates. The birth rate has fallen from more than 6 children per woman in the 1960s to just above replacement level today as a result of increased literacy, family planning services, and urbanization. However, income inequality is among the worst in the world, and more than a third of the population lives below the poverty line. Colombia experiences significant legal and illegal economic emigration and refugee flows. Large-scale labor emigration dates to the 1960s; Venezuela and the United States continue to be the main host countries. Colombia is the largest source of Latin American refugees in Latin America, nearly 400,000 of whom live primarily in Venezuela and Ecuador. Forced displacement remains prevalent because of violence among guerrillas, paramilitary groups, and Colombian security forces. Afro-Colombian and indigenous populations are disproportionately affected. A leading NGO estimates that 5.2 million people have been displaced since 1985, while the Colombian government estimates 3.6 million since 2000. These estimates undercount actual numbers because many internally displaced persons are not registered. Columbia also has one of the world's highest levels of forced disappearances. About 30,000 cases have been recorded over the last four decades - although the number is likely to be much higher - including human rights activists, trade unionists, Afro-Colombians, indigenous people, and farmers in rural conflict zones.

Education expenditures

4.8% of GDP (2009) country comparison to the world: 70

Ethnic groups

mestizo 58%, white 20%, mulatto 14%, black 4%, mixed black-Amerindian 3%, Amerindian 1%

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.5% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 65

HIV/AIDS - deaths

14,000 (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 22

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

160,000 (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 32

Health expenditures

6.4% of GDP (2009) country comparison to the world: 93

Hospital bed density

1 beds/1,000 population (2007)

Infant mortality rate

total: 15.92 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 106 male: 19.34 deaths/1,000 live births female: 12.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)

Languages

Spanish (official)

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 74.79 years country comparison to the world: 98 male: 71.55 years female: 78.23 years (2012 est.)

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 90.4% male: 90.1% female: 90.7% (2005 census)

Major cities - population

BOGOTA (capital) 8.262 million; Medellin 3.497 million; Cali 2.352 million; Barranquilla 1.836 million; Bucaramanga 1.065 million (2009)

Major infectious diseases

degree of risk: high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea vectorborne diseases: dengue fever, malaria, and yellow fever water contact disease: leptospirosis (2009)

Maternal mortality rate

92 deaths/100,000 live births (2010) country comparison to the world: 80

Median age

total: 28.3 years male: 27.3 years female: 29.2 years (2012 est.)

Nationality

noun: Colombian(s) adjective: Colombian

Net migration rate

-0.66 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 144

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

13.7% (2007) country comparison to the world: 42

Physicians density

1.35 physicians/1,000 population (2002)

Population

45,239,079 (July 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 29

Population growth rate

1.128% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 104

Religions

Roman Catholic 90%, other 10%

Sanitation facility access

improved: urban: 81% of population rural: 55% of population total: 74% of population unimproved: urban: 19% of population rural: 45% of population total: 26% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 14 years male: 13 years female: 14 years (2009)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.72 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.12 children born/woman (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 112

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

total: 23% country comparison to the world: 37 male: 18.2% female: 29.9% (2008)

Urbanization

urban population: 75% of total population (2010) rate of urbanization: 1.7% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

Disputes - international

in December 2007, ICJ allocated San Andres, Providencia, and Santa Catalina islands to Colombia under 1928 Treaty but did not rule on 82 degrees W meridian as maritime boundary with Nicaragua; managed dispute with Venezuela over maritime boundary and Venezuelan-administered Los Monjes Islands near the Gulf of Venezuela; Colombian-organized illegal narcotics, guerrilla, and paramilitary activities penetrate all neighboring borders and have caused Colombian citizens to flee mostly into neighboring countries; Colombia, Honduras, Nicaragua, Jamaica, and the US assert various claims to Bajo Nuevo and Serranilla Bank

Illicit drugs

illicit producer of coca, opium poppy, and cannabis; world's leading coca cultivator with 116,000 hectares in coca cultivation in 2009, a 3% decrease over 2008, producing a potential of 270 mt of pure cocaine; the world's largest producer of coca derivatives; supplies cocaine to nearly all of the US market and the great majority of other international drug markets; in 2010, aerial eradication dispensed herbicide to treat over 101,000 hectares combined with manual eradication of 61,000 hectares; a significant portion of narcotics proceeds are either laundered or invested in Colombia through the black market peso exchange; important supplier of heroin to the US market; opium poppy cultivation is estimated to have fallen to 1,100 hectares in 2009 while pure heroin production declined to 2.1 mt; most Colombian heroin is destined for the US market (2008)

Refugees and internally displaced persons

IDPs: 3.9-5.5 million (conflict between government and illegal armed groups and drug traffickers since 1985) (2011)

Airports

862 (2012) country comparison to the world: 8

Airports - with paved runways

total: 121 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 7 1,524 to 2,437 m: 41 914 to 1,523 m: 55 under 914 m: 16 (2012)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total: 741 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 25 914 to 1,523 m: 178 under 914 m: 537 (2012)

Heliports

2 (2012)

Merchant marine

total: 12 country comparison to the world: 105 by type: cargo 9, chemical tanker 1, petroleum tanker 2 registered in other countries: 4 (Antigua and Barbuda 1, Panama 2, Portugal 1) (2010)

Pipelines

gas 4,801 km; oil 6,334 km; refined products 3,309 km (2010)

Ports and terminals

Barranquilla, Buenaventura, Cartagena, Puerto Bolivar, Santa Marta, Turbo oil terminals: Covenas offshore terminal

Railways

total: 874 km country comparison to the world: 95 standard gauge: 150 km 1.435-m gauge narrow gauge: 498 km 0.950-m gauge; 226 km 0.914-m gauge (2008)

Roadways

total: 141,374 km (2010) country comparison to the world: 33

Waterways

24,725 km (18,300 km navigable; the most important waterway, the River Magdalena, of which 1,488 km is navigable, is dredged regularly to ensure the safe passage of cargo vessels and container barges) (2012) country comparison to the world: 5