Colombia is now going through a mixed bag of experiences. The AL Jazeera report about what happened in Colombia was disturbing to say the least.
Weeks before the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) rebel group detonated a vehicle full of explosives near a military aviation school in Cali, causing the deaths of 6 people and the injuries of 71 people.
Hours before the incident, there was a drone attack on a National Police Black Hawk helicopter conducting a coca leaf crop eradication operation. So, the country is struggling because of internal conflicts caused by drug trafficking cartels.
However, in this scenario, the only silver lining can be the successful run of the Colombian football team at the World Cup Qualifiers. The team, under the leadership of Nestor Lorenzo, has secured a spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Nevertheless, people may now take an interest in Colombia for these surfacing new stories, it has always been a special country with its coffee, culture, and Caño Cristales. Do you want to know more interesting facts about Colombia? Read our Tour and Travel Blog.
What Are The Most Interesting Facts About Colombia? Know The Country
Located in the northwest of the South American continent, Colombia is a sovereign state. Bogotá, D.C, is the largest city and capital of the country. Furthermore, Worldometer says that the current population of the country is 53,425,635.
Also, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) identifies Colombia as one of the biggest economies in Latin America.
Here are some interesting facts about the country you need to know.
1. Colombia Is A Leader In Plastic Surgery
A global leader in plastic surgery, Colombia has emerged as one of the leading medical tourism destinations in the world in 2025.
Bogotá, the capital, and other big cities, such as Medellín, now have many clinics that offer modern treatments at a reasonable cost.
2. You Will Spot Wild Hippos Running In Colombia
Pablo Escobar not only traded in cocaine in Colombia, but he also brought the hippos to this country. Today, you will see these wild animals in the rivers of Northern Colombia.
Despite not being native to this religion, they have grown massively in population.
3. The Tallest Palm Trees In The World Are In Colombia
The Cocora Valley on the Colombian coast is home to wax palms. These are the tallest palm trees in the world. These trees can grow up to 80 meters.
Furthermore, as the national tree of the country, these trees are powerful symbols of the biodiversity of the country.
4. Colombia Has An Underground Salt Cathedral
The Zipaquirá Salt Cathedral in the town of Zipaquirá is located inside a salt mine. It is an important architectural and religious attraction, with the entire structure constructed entirely of salt.
It has the most unique sculptures and altars. However, the big cross is the main highlight of the cathedral.
5. The Most Poisonous Frog Lives In Colombia
The golden poison dart frog is the most poisonous in the world, and it has venom that can kill 10 adult humans. It is found in Colombia.
The rainforest along Colombia’s Pacific coast is home to this species.
6. Colombia Has Many Indigenous Languages
According to Colombia.co, Colombia has close to 70 indigenous languages. Further, around 750,000 people in the country speak those languages.
7. You Can Listen To The National Anthem Playing Twice A Day
According to Colombian law, any 24/7 broadcasting TV and radio channel is required to play the national anthem of the country at 6:00 AM and 6:00 PM.
8. Kids Have Coffee With Milk In Colombia
Colombian kids start having coffee for the breakfast from a very early age. It is called café con leche or coffee with milk.
They have it with bread and egg.
9. Colombians Love Soccer
Colombians are very passionate about the game of soccer. From Carlos Valderrama to James Rodriguez, the country has many soccer icons.
The country has qualified for the FIFA World Cup 2026, and everything feels so great.
10. The Legend Of El Dorado Comes From Ancient Colombia
Lake Guatavita, a real lake in Colombia, is the place from which the stories of El Dorado come. According to Muisca stories and beliefs, it is the place where a king used to make gold offerings to a sea god.
11. Colombia Is Home To Shakira
Shakira, the pop icon, is from Colombia. The Queen of Latin American music, Shakira, has iconic songs such as “Hips Don’t Lie” and “Waka Waka” to her credit.
12. The Amazon Rainforest Covers Colombia
Colombia is home to 10% of the Amazon Rainforest. This is the reason why Colombia is one of the megadiverse countries in the world.
13. Cano Cristales Is A Color-Changing River Bed In Colombia
Located in Meta’s Serrania de la Macarena, Cano Cristales is also known as the “Liquid Rainbow” or the “River of Five Colors.”
If you visit the river between July and November, you will notice the river bed of the country has red, black, yellow, blue, and green.
14. Colombia Has Many National Holidays
Colombia has as many as 18 national holidays. Also, it is a catholic country. So, most national holidays are associated with religious observations.
15. Bogota Is A Paradise Of Street Artists
Street artists love Bogota. Furthermore, the government here is very supportive, and it even sponsors many graffiti artists.
16. Colombia Is A Promising Global Theater Hub
Colombia has been hosting the Ibero-American Theater Festival of Bogotá since 1988. UNESCO acknowledges it as one of the most prestigious events for the performing arts.
It was started as “An Act of Faith in Colombia” to celebrate the 450th anniversary of the foundation of Bogotá.
17. Changua Is The Favorite Colombian Breakfast
Changua is the most famous breakfast dish of Colombia. It is a milk soup and has undercooked eggs.
18. Colombians Drink Oatmeal
Avena is a popular drink in Colombia. It is made using oatmeal. So, Colombians drink oatmeal instead of having it as a staple breakfast cereal.
19. Colombia Is The Country Of Pablo Escobar
Pablo Escobar, the king of coke, was born and grew up in Colombia. He was one of the wealthiest criminals in the world.
Any Narcos fan here?
20. Colombia Has A 20000 20000-year-Old History
According to archaeologists, human settlements started in Colombia 20000 years ago. The carbon dating of bones, charcoal, and paintings in the southern Chiribiquete National Park has been instrumental in establishing this fact.
21. Gabriel Garcia Marquez Was From Colombia
Gabriel Garcia Marquez, the author of the most-sold Spanish novel in the world, “Love in the Time of Cholera,” was from Colombia.
He was Fidel Castro’s friend, and he was a Nobel Laureate.
22. Colombia Has The Highest Coastal Mountain Range
Colombia has Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. With a height of 13000 meters, it is the highest coastal mountain range in the world.
23. Colombia Has A Spanish Influence
Colombia was a Spanish colony from the 16th century to 18919, when it achieved independence. The language, culture, and food of Colombia have a deep Spanish influence.
Today, Colombia is the second-largest Spanish-speaking country in the world after Mexico. Spain follows Colombia in third place.
24. Colombia Lies Above The Pacific Ring Of Fire
The country is located above the Pacific Ring of Fire. So, it is prone to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.
25. Colombia Makes Alcohol From Sugarcane
The local Colombian drink, Aguardiente, is made from sugarcane. It’s sweet and it is perfect for the Colombian Sun.
26. Colombia Has An Agro-Based Economy
Yes, as one of the biggest exporters of coffee, Colombia is an agro-based economy. The other important products of the country are corn, bananas, rice, tobacco, sugarcane, oilseed, panena, etc.
27. Colombia Is A Big Coffee Exporter
The World Economic Forum has confirmed Colombia as the third-largest coffee exporter in the world. It yields around 4 million bags of coffee every year.
28. Colombia Has A History Behind Its Name
Colombia gets its name from Christopher Columbus. It is the only country in the world to be named after this great explorer.
29. Colombia Is One Of The Megadiverse Countries In The World
Home to around 10% of the world’s biodiversity, Colombia is one of the 17 megadiverse countries in the world. It holds the first position in the diversity of orchids and birds.
Colombia.co confirms that the country has more than 1900 species of birds.
30. Colombia Has A City Older Than Machu Picchu
Ciudad Perdida, the Lost City of Colombia, was built in 650 AD by the Tayrona indigenous people. So, it is older than Machu Picchu.
Interesting Facts About Colombia: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions and answers about Colombia.
Colombia keeps facing problems such as drug cartels and petty crimes. These often lead to internal conflicts that blow up.
The U.S. Department of State has issued a Level 3 or “Reconsider travel” advisory for tourists to Colombia. Some areas in the country are also under level 4 alerts.
Cauca, Arauca, and Norte de Santander face extreme unrest due to terrorism and antisocial activities. However, Bucaramanga and Santa Marta are some of the safest areas for tourists in the country.
Colombia is one of the top 10 richest countries in South Africa. Featuring in the seventh position, it has recorded a GDP/Capita of $22,421.03 according to WorldAtlas.
Furthermore, the World Bank forecasts a 1.7 percent growth in 2024 and anticipates that the country’s economic growth rate will reach 2.9 percent by 2027.
However, a limited global integration remains a concern, and the country needs a steady, sustainable, and responsible transition. The transition will help the country to make its economy strong and achieve long-term financial and environmental goals.
Colombia is rich in its biodiversity and coffee production. Gold, coal, and petroleum are the other commodities that Colombia exports in large amounts.
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