Colombia

Background: Colombia was one of the three countries that emerged from the collapse of Gran Colombia in 1830 (the others being Ecuador and Venezuela). A 40-year insurgent campaign to overthrow the Colombian Government escalated during the 1990s, under girded in part by funds from the drug trade. Although the violence is deadly and large swaths of the countryside are under guerrilla influence, the movement lacks the military strength or popular support necessary to overthrow the government. An anti-insurgent army of paramilitaries has grown to be several thousand strong in recent years, challenging the insurgents for control of territory and illicit industries such as the drug trade and the government's ability to exert its dominion over rural areas.
Location: Northern South America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Panama and Venezuela, and bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between Ecuador and Panama. Area: Total: 1,138,910 sq km, land: 1,038,700 sq km. Area - comparative: Slightly less than three times the size of Montana. Land boundaries: Total: 6,004 km, border countries: Brazil 1,643 km, Ecuador 590 km, Panama 225 km, Peru 1,496 km (est.), Venezuela 2,050 km. Coastline: 3,208 km (Caribbean Sea 1,760 km, North Pacific Ocean 1,448 km).
Climate and Terrain: Climate: Tropical along coast and eastern plains; cooler in highlands. Terrain: Flat coastal lowlands, central highlands, high Andes Mountains, eastern lowland plains. Natural resources: Petroleum, natural gas, coal, iron ore, nickel, gold, copper, emeralds, hydropower.
People: Population: 41,008,227. Ethnic groups: Mestizo 58%, white 20%, mulatto 14%, black 4%, mixed black-Amerindian 3%, Amerindian 1%. Religions: Roman Catholic 90%. Languages: Spanish.
Government: Government type: Republic; executive branch dominates government structure. Capital: Bogota. Independence: 20 July 1810 (from Spain).
Economy overview: Colombia's economy suffered from weak domestic demand, austere government budgets, and a difficult security situation. A new president takes office in 2002 and will face economic challenges ranging from pension reform to reduction of unemployment. Two of Colombia's leading exports, oil and coffee, face an uncertain future; new exploration is needed to offset declining oil production, while coffee harvests and prices are depressed. Problems in public security are a concern for Colombian business leaders, who are calling for progress in the government's peace negotiations with insurgent groups. GDP - composition by sector: Agriculture: 19%, industry: 26%, services: 55%.
Statistics: Telephones - main lines in use: 5,433,565. Telephones - mobile cellular: 1,800,229. Radio broadcast stations: AM 454, FM 34. Radios: 21 million. Television broadcast stations: 60. Televisions: 4.59 million. Internet users: 878,000. Railways: Total: 3,304 km. Highways: Total: 110,000 km, paved: 26,000 km, unpaved: 84,000 km. Airports: 1,066, with paved runways: 93, with unpaved runways: 973, Heliports: 1.