Let’s jump right in.
What’s Colombia’s top tourist attraction?
The city of Cartagena is the most visited place in Colombia. It’s the centre of Colombia’s Caribbean tourist industry and is also one of the best-preserved colonial cities in the Americas complete with a walled city.
What was the last war or conflict Colombia took part in?
That would be the Colombian Conflict which has been going on since 1964. It’s essentially a civil war between the Colombian government, far-right paramilitary groups, drug trafficking cartels and far-left guerrilla groups such as FARC.
A peace deal was finally signed in 2016 which was then put to the Colombian people in a referendum. Shockingly the peace deal was rejected in the referendum, but was later revised and finally passed. Now Colombia is officially at peace - but perhaps it’s not that simple.
A Bizarre fact about Colombia
Today I can do better than one, here are three bizarre facts about Colombia.
Firstly, Colombia is home to the most densely populated island in the world. Santa Cruz del Islote is a two hour ferry journey from Cartagena and is barely the size of two football pitches. There are no roads and the entire island is a puzzle of dense, interconnected buildings home to over 1200 people.
Secondly San Andrés, Providencia and Santa Catalina Islands are despite being part of Colombia, English speaking places.
Thirdly, Colombia is home to a wild hippo population which is part of Pablo Escobar’s lasting legacy.
Was Colombia a former colony?
Yes, Colombia is named after Christopher Columbus and was a Spanish colony until gaining independence in 1810.
What are Colombia’s main exports?
Cocaine? Nope, petroleum, coal, coffee, gold and bananas are Colombias biggest exports.
What’s Columbia’s National dish?
Bandeja paisa. From a distance you could almost mistake it from a full-English breakfast. Like a full-English, it’s a dish all about variety and often comprises beans, rice, ground meat, fried egg, plantain, black pudding and avocado. It actually sounds delicious.
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