Colombia is not what you think it is. It might surprise you in ways you never expected with its huge festivals and unique geography facts. There are plenty of interesting facts that will spark your curiosity, while others might leave you puzzled.
Keep reading to learn some fun facts about Colombia that you should know before traveling. You won’t believe some of them!
Colombia Is the Second Most Biodiverse Country
Colombia is the world’s second-most biodiverse country, after Brazil. It contains various ecosystems: the Amazon, Andes, coasts, and páramos.
There are about 10% of the world’s living species in Colombia, among them birds, frogs, butterflies, and orchids. Colombia is not only known for these fun facts alone, but it is also an important pole of research and ecotourism.
Colombia Produces Some of the World’s Best Coffee
Colombia is a major coffee producer, known for its Arabica beans. The “Coffee Triangle” region (Caldas, Quindío, and Risaralda) offers ideal conditions for growing coffee plants.
Small Colombian farmers play a crucial role in coffee cultivation, and the National Federation ensures its quality. Colombian coffee is balanced in flavor and acidity which makes it unique and so popular around the world.
Bogotá Is One of the World’s Highest Capital Cities
Colombia’s capital, Bogotá, is located at an altitude of about 2,640 meters above sea level. In fact, it is a town right on an Andes plateau, which contributes to its typically cold climate
High altitudes can affect oxygen levels over time. This explains why physical activities such as walking or hiking are more exhausting than in any other place.
Photo by Random Institute on Unsplash
Colombia’s National Sport Is Tejo
Did you imagine that Tejo is Colombia’s national sport? It started with indigenous groups in the Andes. Players throw a metal disc, called tejo, at a target on a clay board, trying to hit gunpowder packets that explode. Points depend on accuracy and explosions.
Tejo is a social game, played with food and drink, in both cities and the countryside.
Colombia Hosts the World’s Largest Flower Festival
Colombia hosts every year the biggest flower festival in the world: Feria de las Flores in Medellín. It started in 1957 and nowadays displays over 500,000 flowers. The Silleteros Parade is an interesting part of this festival, where farmers carry flower displays on their backs.
The Medellin Flower Festival lasts for 10 days and gathers around one million visitors. Another interesting fact is that Colombia produces around 70% of the flowers supplied to the U.S. market, which are also present are this festival.
Photo by Guía de Viajes Oficial de Medellín is licensed under CC BY 2.0
Only Country Named After Christopher Columbus
Colombia is the only country named after Christopher Columbus. It was named in 1819 when it gained its independence from Spain, as part of Gran Colombia.
Back then, the nation included the territories that would later become Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, and Panama. However, in 1831 that changed, as Gran Colombia dissolved; the country retained the name in honor of Columbus’s history in the Americas.
Colombia Has Over 4,000 Species of Orchids
Colombia is among the top countries for orchid diversity, with over 4,000 different species. An even more interesting fact is that approximately 1,500 of these species are endemic to Colombia, which means they are found nowhere else.
Orchids thrive there because of the variety of climate and ecosystem conditions throughout the country. They are of great importance to the local biome and the local culture. As a result, protection efforts have mainly focused on habitat loss and illegal trade.
Colombia Is A Major Exporter of Emeralds
Colombia exports 70–90% of the world’s emeralds, making it a global leader in emerald production. In fact, it produces the finest quality emeralds, each having a deep green color.
The principal mining sites are at Muzo, Chivor, and Coscuez in the Andes. The emerald industry provides financial development to Colombia by providing a lot of job opportunities and earnings through its exportation.
Photo by Farrukh is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0
Has More Public Holidays than Most Countries
Colombia has 18 national holidays, which is among the highest in the world. These include religious and civic events, such as Christmas, Easter, and Independence Day.
The Emiliani Law of 1983 shifted most Colombian holidays to Mondays to create long weekends, boosting domestic travel and tourism. These extended weekends, called puentes (bridges), are popular to travel around.
Birthplace of Iconic Singer Shakira
Shakira was born on February 2, 1977, in the city of Barranquilla, Colombia. The culture of Barranquilla shaped her music. Some of her well-recognized releases, such as Pies Descalzos and Laundry Service combine Latin, Arabic, and rock music.
Shakira also founded the Barefoot Foundation, which helps kids receive an education in Colombia.
Photo by World Economic Forum is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
Colombia’s Cocora Valley Is The World’s Tallest Palm Tree
Colombia’s Cocora Valley in Quindío department is home to the world’s tallest palms, the wax palms (Ceroxylon quindiuense). They can grow as high as 60 meters (194 feet) tall. The wax palms are a symbol of the region’s natural beauty and have been carefully protected to preserve their unique habitat. In fact, countless wildlife species find protection by these palms, including the yellow-eared parrot.
Colombia is known for its fun facts about biodiversity, especially in places like the Cocora Valley, which is part of Los Nevados National Natural Park, within the cloud forests of the Andes.
Colombia Has the Unique ‘River of Five Colors’
Caño Cristales is known as the “River of Five Colors”. It is a stream located in the Serranía de la Macarena National Park of Colombia.
The river’s stunning array of colors results from the Macarenia clavigera plant, which blooms bright red during the dry season when sunlight reaches the riverbed. In addition to the red hues from the plant, the river’s blue waters, yellow sands, green algae, and dark rocks create the whole spectrum that gives the river its well-deserved nickname.
The best time to witness the river’s wide array of colors is between September and November. Access is controlled to protect international interests and its ecosystem.
Photo by Pedro Szekely is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
Colombia Hosts the Biggest Theater Festival in Latin America
Colombia hosts the Ibero-American Theater Festival of Bogotá, the most important theater festival in Latin America. It was founded in 1988 by Fanny Mikey and Ramiro Osorio. As its name indicates, it is held every two years in the city of Bogotá with performances developed by local and international theatre groups. The event draws artists and the public from all over the world.
There Are 59 National Parks: 14% Of Colombia’s Land Area
Colombia has 59 national parks covering rainforests, mountains, deserts, and coastlines. They protect biodiversity and cultural heritage with species such as jaguars, condors, and pink river dolphins. The parks make up more than 14% of the land area of Colombia.
Some notable parks are Tayrona and Los Nevados. But the most famous of all is probably the Chiribiquete, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Part of the Amazon Rainforest Is in Colombia
Colombia shares part of the Amazon rainforest, including the territory within the departments of Amazonas, Caquetá, Guainía, Guaviare, Putumayo, and Vaupés. It also supports a rich diversity of wildlife and indigenous communities.
This area is protected by national parks such as the Amacayacu National Park. The Amazon helps regulate the climate and water processes yet confronts threats related to logging and mining.
No doubt, there are some fun facts about the Amazon rainforest that reveal its critical role in regulating the global climate, despite ongoing threats like illegal logging and deforestation in Colombia.
Colombia Produces More Roses than Any Other Country
Did you know Colombia produces more roses than any other country? The main growing areas are Bogotá Savannah and Antioquia, where the climate is perfect.
Roses are among Colombia’s main exports, mainly to the United States, especially for holidays like Valentine’s Day. The flower industry provides thousands of jobs and helps Colombia’s economy.
Colombia Was The First South American Country to Have a Coast Guard
Colombia was the first South American country to have a coast guard. It was founded in 1979, and its mission was to enforce sea law, search and rescue, drug trafficking concerns, and guarding countries’ coastlines on both the Caribbean and Pacific. It also assists in environmental tasks and protects commercial and fishing ships in Colombian waters.
Colombia Shares Borders with Five Different Countries
Colombia shares land and maritime borders with Venezuela, Brazil, Peru, Venezuela, and Panama. Its borders include the Caribbean Sea, the Pacific Ocean, the Amazon rainforest, the Andes mountains, and the Darien Gap separating it from Panama.
These are the main borders which are a testament to some of the most interesting facts about Colombia’s trade, culture, biodiversity, and security cooperation.
Sierra Nevada De Santa Marta Is The World’s Tallest Coastal Mountain Range
Colombia’s Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta rises to 5,700 meters above sea level, with Pico Cristóbal Colon and Pico Simón Bolívar at the top two points. The range is near the Caribbean coast, well in isolation from other mountain chains, most importantly the Andes. It hosts ecosystems from rainforests to glaciers, and Indigenous groups, including the Kogi, Wiwa, and the Kankuamo.
Photo by ProAves Colombia is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
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