Colombia(Victoria)

=**Colombia**= By: Victoria Burks

Around 45% of the population lives below the poverty line. =**Geography**=
 * General Information **
 * **Capital City: **Bogotá
 * **Population: **46 million
 * **Demographics: **diverse, about 58% are mestizo which means they are of mixed Spanish and Native American ancestry. About 20% are of unmixed European ancestry, 14% being mulattos who are mixed of black and white ancestry. The last 8% are blacks, Native Americans, and people of mixed race.
 * **Religion: ** Catholics
 * **Official language(s): ** Spanish, spoken by around 43 million but about 500,000 Colombians speak the American Indian languages.
 * **Major exports **
 * Petroleum, coffee, woodworking, plastic, rubber, coal, potatoes, beans, grains, nickel, gold and nontraditional exports such as flowers, sugars, and fruits.
 * **Major Imports **
 * Organic chemicals, corn, computer accessories, plastic materials,
 * **<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Monetary system **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Since 1837 Peso has been their currency system.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">The official symbol for peso is the same as our US dollar, $
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">1,750 Colombian pesos = 1 US dollar
 * **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">What is the land like? **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">The Andes mountain chain is situated in the central and western parts of the country and extends across almost the entire length of Colombia.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Beautiful beaches to visit and islands
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">The Cordillera Central contains the volcanic peaks of Huila (18,865 ft) and Tolima (18,425 ft).
 * **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">How does its geography affect its economy? **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">A wide variety of crops is grown, depending on altitude, but coffee is the major crop and its price on the world market has affected Colombia's economic health <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 13px;">.
 * **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">What is the weather/climate like? **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">The climate varies based on your location or elevation.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">River valleys the average is 75° to 80°F.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">From about 1,500 to 7,500 ft the climate is subtropical, and from about 7,500 to 10,000 ft it is temperate. Above about 10,000 ft is the cold-climate zone, where temperatures range from 0° to 55°F
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 14pt;">Brief History **
 * **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Indigenous groups **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Carib and Chibcha
 * **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Colonization **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">:
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Spanish explorers made their first discovery in 1499 led by Rodrigo de Bastidas
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">They settled along the cost in the early 1500’s
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Their first permanent settlement was in 1525 at Santa Marta
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">In 1549 Bogota was declared capital.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Black slaves were introduced for labor but in 1713, it was the first place to give freedom in the Americas.
 * **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Independence: From Spain **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Since the beginning of Spanish colonization there were rebel movements under the Spanish rule.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Most of the rebellions were crushed or too weak to have results.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Antonio Narino led the independence of Cartagena in November 1811
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">The formation of two independent governments fought in a civil war during the period known as La Patria Boba.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">After the war Spanish remained in power punishing anyone who participated in the rebellion or uprising.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Spain was now weak so the rebellion led by Simon Bolivar was successful
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Declared independence in 1819

> **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Sports: **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 14pt;">Government/ Current Political Situation **
 * **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Type of government **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Republic- Form of government where supreme power is held by the people and their elected representatives and has an elected president
 * **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Current Leader **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">President: Juan Manuel Santos and Vice President Angelino Garzon.
 * **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Political climate **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Regular elections are held for political and civil rights.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Two major traditional parties being liberals and conservatives.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Conservative Colombian Catholic Church plays large role**.**
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 14pt;">Culture **
 * **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Food: **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Middle class families- elaborate meals that reflect Spanish traditions. A common meal is identified by size for example a light breakfast, and medium size lunch. Then dinner consists of fruit, homemade soup, a main dish, with meat or fish accompanied by rice and potatoes.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Low income families- eat a carbohydrate rich diet. Meals usually end with sweet desserts.
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,serif;"> Colombians consume large quantities of beer and coffee and relatively little milk or wine.
 * **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Clothing: **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Trousers (pants), shirts, shorts, pajamas, skirts, robes, gowns, swim trunks, jogging suits, polo shirts, T-shirts, jackets, sweat shirts and tank tops.
 * <span style="color: blue; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; text-decoration: none;">[] <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;"> link to video on bullet proof clothing.
 * [[image:colombian-soccer.jpg]]
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Football (soccer) and cycling are the most popular.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">People of Colombia enjoy watching their soccer team compete, the team has made it into the world cup.
 * **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Holidays/Celebrations: **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">They celebrate Christmas, new years, and Easter at the same time as Americans.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">January 6th is a celebration of God in the human form of Jesus Christ.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">On July 20th Independence Day is celebrated.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;"> December 8th is known as the Immaculate Conception day in celebration of the Virgin Mary’s pregnancy with Jesus.
 * **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Music/dance **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">In the 1970s a man known as “Fruko” revved up the streets of the urban coast with his band of salsa music.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Salsa dance was influenced by traditional and African movements.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Movements are quick and intricate moves with the feet and upper body.

=Tourism= Pretence hall Realidades Spanish one [] [] [] [] [] [|http://www.everyculture.com/Bo-Co/Colombia.html#b] []
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,serif;">Places to visit:
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">St. Catherine of Alexandria Cathedral in Cartagena.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Gold Museum (history)
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Mount Monserrate in Bogota.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Rockefeller Casino
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,serif;">Parque Nacional Tayrona (white sandy beaches)
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 14pt;">Current Events **
 * **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Bogota Colombia: Ban on carrying firearms until May 1, 2012, ****<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;"> effort to reduce crime. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Bogota is restricting the carrying of firearms. The goal is to reduce crime rates in the area. They want to protect the safety of citizens and tourist. In 2011 62.3% of homicides were carried out with firearms. This article also relates back to the clothing of Colombia with the new invention of fashion coats and clothes that are bullet proof to protect the people.
 * <span style="color: blue; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">[]
 * ==<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">Chaos in Colombia Air Traffic Continues Despite Labor Deal. ==
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Labor deal was struck between air traffic controllers and aviation authorities Sunday night but there continues to be air traffic trouble. On Tuesday February 21st there were 26 cancellations and 70 delays. Government has announced they will provide money to prevent future conflicts.
 * http://colombiareports.com/colombia-news/news/22337-chaos-in-colombian-air-traffic-continues-despite-labor-deal.html
 * __ Sources __**