Colombia

Introduction to Colombia

The Republic of Colombia is a country in northwestern South America. It is bordered to the north and north-west by the Caribbean Sea, to the east by Venezuela and Brazil, to the south by Ecuador and Peru, and to the west by Panama and the Pacific Ocean.

Located in the North of South America (4 00 N, 72 00 W) and part of Caribbean South America. The only South American country with coast in both oceans (Atlantic or Caribbean Sea with 1,760 km and Pacific Ocean with 1,448 km. Borders: North with the Caribbean Sea (sea borders with Jamaica, Haiti and Dominican Republic). West with Panama (225 km) and sea borders with Costa Rica both in the Pacific and Atlantic Ocean and Guatemala. South with Ecuador (590 km), Peru (1,496 km) and Brazil (1,643 km). East with Brazil and Venezuela (2,050 km).

Cultural notes about Colombia

The family is, as it is with nearly all of Latin America, a highly imporant institution to Colombians. Members of the extended family are close, and Colombians often live even with distant relatives.

Men are usually the head of the household, while women are responsible for cooking, housework and raising children.

At a child's baptism, the parents of the child will choose godparents, padrinos. A child's padrinos will play an important role in his life, giving advice, and when needed, financial support.

The Amerindian peoples of Colombia's southern regions, near the Brazilian border, live in huts of thatched palm, in stark contrast to the high rise apartment buildings of the capital, Bogotá, where 7.7 million of the country's 44 million people live.

Official Canadian government advisories for travelling to, in and around Colombia

You are advised against all travel to Colombia until further notice, with the exception of the city of Cartagena and the islands of San Andrés and Providencia. Although the Embassy of Canada in Bogotá has received no specific threats or information about future terrorist activities, Canadian citizens are urged to maintain a heightened level of vigilance and to continue practicing good security measures. Canadians in Colombia should follow the advice of local authorities, monitor local news reports, avoid large gatherings and demonstrations, and remain in contact with the Embassy of Canada.

San Andrés Island and Cartagena tourist resort areas have the lowest level of security incidents in Colombia. Criminal activity and violence directed at tourists is low, and comparable to other destinations in the region. Travellers should however exercise common sense precautions.

Criminal and drug mafia activities are major threats. Rural areas throughout Colombia present the highest levels of danger due to drug mafia, guerrilla, and paramilitary activities. Robbery, burglary, car theft/hijacking, and extortion are quite common.