Colombia

Culture

Music, Activities, Food, & Festivals

Geography

Founded: July 20, 1810

Famous Presidents: Simón

Bolívar y Palacios. Joaquín

de Mosquera y Arboleda. Rafael

Urdaneta y Faría. Francisco de Paula Santander y Omaña

Events

1535 Spanish conquest of Colombia begins and the first permanent settlement in South America was founded at Santa Marta

1536 1536-1538: Spanish conquistador Gonzalo Jimenez de Quesada (1509-1579) leads an expedition into the Andes and obtains massive amounts of emeralds and gold

1538 Gonzalo Jimenez de Quesada founds Bogota as the capital of the 'New Kingdom of Granada'

1550 Gonzalo Jimenez de Quesada was appointed Marshal of New Granada and councillor of Bogotá for life (he died in 1579)

1550 African slaves shipped to work on Colombian plantations

1564 The Spanish government appoints a president to govern the Colombian colony

1700s Spain combines Colombia with neighbouring territories into one large colony called the Viceroyalty of New Granada which consisted of Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, and Panama

Venezuelan General Francisco Gabriel de Miranda (1750-1816) PARTICIPATED in major political events for more than thirty years

1810 The territories of the Viceroyalty of New Granada establish their own independent governments

1810 The King of Spain is overthrown by Napoleon

1814 Spain sends troops to South America to quell the uprising of the colonists

1819 August 7: General Simon Bolivar defeats royalist forces in the Battle of Boyaca

1819 December 17: The Republic of Colombia (also known as Gran Colombia) is proclaimed consisting of Colombia, Venezuela, and Ecuador

1819 Colombia gains its independence from Spain and Simon Bolivar becomes the first Colombian president

1830 Ecuador and Venezuela became totally independent from Gran Colombia

1853 Colombia adopts a constitution which abolishes slavery

1899 1899-1902: Civil War - The War of the Thousand Days

1903 Panama seceded from Colombia with US backing and allows US control over the land now known as the Panama Canal zone

1922 The USA paid Colombia $25 million for the loss of Panama

1939 1939-1945 Colombia helped the USA to keep the Panama Canal open during World War 2

1989 USA began to supply the Colombian government with military equipment to help rid Colombia of drug dealers

Capital : Bogota

Language: Spanish

Location: South America

Wrap-up

Yes I would retire to this country because, Colombia is classed as a "megadiverse" country, ranking as the 2nd most biodiverse country in the world. 99% of the population speak Spanish. The most popular sport in Colombia is football (soccer). Colombia has a population of over 45 million people. Colombia shares a land border with 5 countries including Panama, Venezuela, Brazil, Ecuador and Peru.

Economy

Natural Resources, Manufacturing, Occupations, Currency