Colombia

Overview

Generously sized mountains near Santa Marta, coasts on both the Pacific and Caribbean and the Amazonian jungle await visitors , who at times may need to be intrepid. Politically the country has not entirely settled down and anyone making the trip must be especially careful in certain areas. The capital, Bogota, exhibits its varied history with traditional and colonial Spanish influences. Those seeking the beach might visit Cartagena which, with its walled old town and wonderful array of imposing architecture would keep anyone busy. The trip to the Ciudad Perdida is longer than usual, but the rewards are clear with it being amongst the largest pre-Columbian sites. Three ranges from the Andes mean there are many mountaineering options. Water sports along the ample coastline and bullfighting for the spectator are also available. Although there is a certain amount of violence in remote areas, the actual government has increased its presence in the countryside and guerrilla attacks on small towns, which used to occur on a regular basis, are now far less common. It is now possible to travel by road and explore areas that would have been closed to tourists in the past, especially for natives. Travelling in Colombia is definitely worthwhile. From Bogota, with a temperate climate 2,600 m (8530 ft) above sea level and at a constant temperature of 19 degrees Celsius, a drive of one or two hours North, South, East or West can take you to landscapes which are...more

History

During the pre-Colombian period the area now known as Colombia was inhabited by indigenous people who were primitive hunters or nomadic farmers. The Chibchas who lived in the Bogota region dominated the various Indian groups.

Spaniards first sailed along the north coast of Colombia as early as 1500 but their first permanent settlement at Santa Marta was not established until 1525. In 1549 the area was established as a Spanish colony with the capital at Santa fe de Bogota. In 1717 Bogota became the capital of the Viceroyalty of New Granada which included what is now Venezuela Ecuador and Panama. The city became one of the principal administrative centers of the Spanish possessions in the New World along with Lima and Mexico City.

On July 20 1810 the citizens of Bogota created the first representative council to defy Spanish authority. Total independence was proclaimed in 1813 and in 1819 the Republic of Greater Colombia was formed.

The Republic

After the defeat of the Spanish army the republic included all the territory of the former viceroyalty. Simon Bolivar was elected its first President and Francisco de Paula Santander Vice President. Two political parties that grew out of conflicts between the followers of Bolivar and Santander--the Conservatives and the Liberals--have dominated Colombian politics. Bolivar's supporters who later formed the nucleus of the Conservative Party advocated a strong centralized government alliance with the Roman Catholic Church and a limited franchise. Santander's followers forerunners of the Liberals wanted a decentralized government state rather than church control over education...more