Colombia Venezuela map (Chinese and foreign comparison)

Author: Zhou Min, Editor-in-Chief
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2002-04-01
Features: Colombia is located in the northwest of South America, bordering Venezuela and Brazil to the east, Ecuador and Peru to the south, Panama to the northwest, the Caribbean Sea to the north, and the Pacific Ocean to the west. Its coastline is 2,900 kilometers long. Situated in the tropics, the climate varies with altitude. The southern plains and Pacific coast have a tropical rainforest climate, gradually transitioning to tropical grassland and dry grassland climates further north. Anciently inhabited by indigenous peoples such as the Chibcha, it became a Spanish colony in 1536. On July 20, 1810, it declared independence from Spain but was later suppressed. In 1819, after Simón Bolívar's liberation army defeated the Spanish colonial forces, Colombia was liberated again. In 1821, it formed the Gran Colombia Republic alongside present-day Ecuador, Venezuela, and Panama. Between 1829 and 1830, Venezuela and Ecuador withdrew, leading to the dissolution of the Gran Colombia Republic. In 1831, it was renamed the New Granada Republic, the United States of Colombia in 1861, and the current name in 1886 (Panama gained independence in 1903). After independence, the Liberal and Conservative parties alternated in governance. In May 2002, the independent Uribe won the presidential election in the first round with over half the votes, breaking the political stalemate between the two major traditional parties.
Economy: Colombia is rich in natural resources, with coal, oil, and emeralds as its main mineral deposits. Its proven coal reserves are approximately 24 billion tons, ranking first in Latin America. Oil reserves total 1.8 billion barrels, natural gas reserves 18.7 billion cubic meters, and emerald reserves rank among the world's top, with bauxite reserves of 100 million tons and uranium reserves of 40,000 tons. Other mineral resources include gold, silver, nickel, platinum, and iron. Forests cover about 49.23 million hectares. Historically, Colombia was an agricultural nation focused on coffee production. In 1999, affected by the Asian financial crisis and other factors, its economy fell into its most severe recession in 60 years. In 2000, the economy began to recover and has since maintained low-speed growth. In 2003, the growth rate accelerated, with sustained growth in the construction sector, increased demand for electricity, a strong financial sector, rising loans and private investment, and expanded exports of traditional products. Colombia is one of Latin America's important tourism centers, with a well-developed tourism industry. In 2003, it welcomed 620,000 foreign tourists. Major tourist areas include Cartagena, Santa Marta, Bogotá, San Andrés and Providencia Islands, Medellín, Guajira Peninsula, and Boyacá.
Press and Publishing: There are approximately 400 newspapers and magazines in the country. Major newspapers include El Tiempo, El Observador, El Nuevo Siglo, and El Republicano. Main weekly magazines include La Guía, La Nueva Frontera, Análisis Económico, Semana, and Patria Grande. All of these publications are in Spanish. The Colombian News Agency is the country's largest private news agency, established in 1981, providing news to nearly 20 newspapers and radio stations nationwide. There are 582 radio stations in the country. "National Radio" is the only state-owned radio station, founded in 1940. The three largest private radio companies are "Colombian Broadcasting," "National Broadcasting," and "Todelar," each with broadcasting and relay stations in various regions. Television began in 1954. The country has 15 television stations, three of which are national and broadcasting stations. However, Channel 1 and Channel 2 lease their airtime to private television production and broadcasting companies, while Channel 3 is directly managed by the state and broadcasts cultural and educational programs.
Foreign Policy: Colombia adheres to an independent, non-aligned, and diversified foreign policy. Its foreign policy priorities include strengthening ties with the United States, enhancing cooperation with Latin American countries, especially neighboring nations, consolidating traditional ties with the European Union, and fostering exchanges and cooperation with countries in the Asia-Pacific region.
Relations with China: Colombia and China established diplomatic relations on February 7, 1980. In April 2005, President Uribe paid a state visit to China. In May 2005, Jia Qinglin, Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, visited Colombia on a friendly mission.
Medellín: The second-largest city in the country, located in the Abra Valley at the western foothills of the Central Andes at an altitude of 1,500 meters, with a mild and pleasant climate. Founded in 1675, it was initially a mining city that exported large amounts of gold and silver. In the 1930s, it became the country's largest coffee market and a center for leather and textile industries.
Cali: The third-largest city in the country, located on the eastern foothills of the Western Andes along the Cauca River. Founded in 1536, it experienced rapid development after the establishment of a hydropower plant in 1954. It is now a hub for coffee, sugarcane, and livestock products, with a thriving commercial sector, hosting the University of Valle and the University of Santiago de Cali.
Barranquilla: An important seaport and river port, and the capital of Atlántico Department. Founded in 1629, it became a major port after the dredging of its estuary and the construction of modern docks in 1930. It has industries such as aluminum products, ship repair, petrochemicals, and fish processing, with a rich agricultural hinterland. Connected to domestic and international markets via railways and an international airport, it also has a university.
Cartagena: A port city on the Caribbean coast. The pipeline from the Balcón de los Vientos oil field passes through it. Its hinterland is agriculturally developed. Founded in 1533, it is one of the oldest cities in the Western Hemisphere and was a major transit port and slave market in South America during the 16th century. It became an oil port and oil refining center after the development of oil in 1926. It features historic buildings such as the Cathedral.
Bucaramanga: A city in the central region, located in the western foothills of the Eastern Andes at an altitude of 1,000 meters. Founded in 1662, it became a coffee trade center in the late 19th century. It has mining operations for gold, silver, and other minerals, as well as industries processing coffee and tobacco. The surrounding area is an important agricultural region and has one university.