International organization participation:
none
Diplomatic representation in the US:
none (territory of Australia)
Diplomatic representation from the US:
none (territory of Australia)
Flag description:
the flag of Australia is used
National anthem:
note: as a territory of Australia, "Advance Australia Fair" remains
official as the national anthem, while "God Save the Queen" serves
as the royal anthem (see Australia)
Economy ::Cocos (Keeling) Islands
Economy - overview:
Coconuts, grown throughout the islands, are the sole cash crop.
Small local gardens and fishing contribute to the food supply, but
additional food and most other necessities must be imported from
Australia. There is a small tourist industry.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$NA
Labor force:
NA
Labor force - by occupation:
note: the Cocos Islands Cooperative Society Ltd. employs
construction workers, stevedores, and lighterage workers; tourism
employs others
Unemployment rate:
60% (2000 est.)
country comparison to the world: 195
Agriculture - products:
vegetables, bananas, pawpaws, coconuts
Industries:
copra products and tourism
Exports:
$NA
Exports - commodities:
copra
Imports:
$NA
Imports - commodities:
foodstuffs
Exchange rates:
Australian dollars (AUD) per US dollar - 1.1151 (2010), 1.2822
(2009), 1.2059 (2008), 1.2137 (2007), 1.3285 (2006)
Communications ::Cocos (Keeling) Islands
Telephones - main lines in use:
287 (1992)
country comparison to the world: 229
Telephone system:
general assessment: connected within Australia's telecommunication
system; a local mobile-cellular network is in operation
domestic: NA
international: country code - 61; telephone, telex, and facsimile
communications with Australia and elsewhere via satellite; satellite
earth station - 1 (Intelsat) (2001)
Broadcast media:
1 local radio station staffed by community volunteers; broadcasts of
several Australian radio and TV stations are received via satellite
(2009)
Internet country code:
.cc
Internet hosts:
35,312 (2010)
country comparison to the world: 96
Transportation ::Cocos (Keeling) Islands
Airports:
1 (2010)
country comparison to the world: 234
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2010)
Roadways:
total: 22 km
country comparison to the world: 220
paved: 10 km
unpaved: 12 km (2007)
Ports and terminals:
Port Refuge
Military ::Cocos (Keeling) Islands
Military - note:
defense is the responsibility of Australia; the territory has a
five-person police force
Transnational Issues ::Cocos (Keeling) Islands
Disputes - international:
none
page last updated on January 12, 2011
======================================================================
@Colombia (South America)
Introduction ::Colombia
Background:
Colombia was one of the three countries that emerged from the
collapse of Gran Colombia in 1830 (the others are Ecuador and
Venezuela). A four-decade long conflict between government forces
and anti-government insurgent groups, principally the Revolutionary
Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) heavily funded by the drug trade,
escalated during the 1990s. The insurgents lack the military or
popular support necessary to overthrow the government and violence
has been decreasing since about 2002, but insurgents continue
attacks against civilians and large areas of the countryside are
under guerrilla influence or are contested by security forces. More
than 31,000 former paramilitaries had demobilized by the end of 2006
and the United Self Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC) as a formal
organization had ceased to function. In the wake of the paramilitary
demobilization, emerging criminal groups arose, whose members
include some former paramilitaries. The Colombian Government has
stepped up efforts to reassert government control throughout the
country, and now has a presence in every one of its administrative
departments. However, neighboring countries worry about the violence
spilling over their borders. In January 2011, Colombia assumed a
nonpermanent seat on the UN Security Council for the 2011-12 term.
Geography ::Colombia
Location:
Northern South America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Panama
and Venezuela, and bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between
Ecuador and Panama
Geographic coordinates:
4 00 N, 72 00 W
Map references:
South America
Area:
total: 1,138,910 sq km
country comparison to the world: 26
land: 1,038,700 sq km
water: 100,210 sq km
note: includes Isla de Malpelo, Roncador Cay, and Serrana Bank
Area - comparative:
slightly less than twice the size of Texas
Land boundaries:
total: 6,309 km
border countries: Brazil 1,644 km, Ecuador 590 km, Panama 225 km,
Peru 1,800 km, Venezuela 2,050 km
Coastline:
3,208 km (Caribbean Sea 1,760 km, North Pacific Ocean 1,448 km)
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation
Climate:
tropical along coast and eastern plains; cooler in highlands
Terrain:
flat coastal lowlands, central highlands, high Andes Mountains,
eastern lowland plains
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Pico Cristobal Colon 5,775 m
note: nearby Pico Simon Bolivar also has the same elevation
Natural resources:
petroleum, natural gas, coal, iron ore, nickel, gold, copper,
emeralds, hydropower
Land use:
arable land: 2.01%
permanent crops: 1.37%
other: 96.62% (2005)
Irrigated land:
9,000 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
2,132 cu km (2000)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 10.71 cu km/yr (50%/4%/46%)
per capita: 235 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
highlands subject to volcanic eruptions; occasional earthquakes;
periodic droughts
volcanism: Galeras (elev. 4,276 m, 14,029 ft) is one of Colombia's
most active volcanoes, having erupted in 2009 and 2010 causing major
evacuations; it has been deemed a "Decade Volcano" by the
International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the
Earth's Interior, worthy of study due to its explosive history and
close proximity to human populations; Nevado del Ruiz (elev. 5,321
m, 17,453 ft), 129 km (80 mi) west of Bogota, erupted in 1985
producing lahars that killed 23,000 people; the volcano last erupted
in 1991; additionally, after 500 years of dormancy, Nevado del Huila
reawakened in 2007 and has experienced frequent eruptions since
then; other historically active volcanoes include Cumbal, Dona
Juana, Nevado del Tolima, and Purace
Environment - current issues:
deforestation; soil and water quality damage from overuse of
pesticides; air pollution, especially in Bogota, from vehicle
emissions
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate
Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species,
Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection,
Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea
Geography - note:
only South American country with coastlines on both the North
Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea
People ::Colombia
Population:
44,205,293 (July 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 29
Age structure:
0-14 years: 27.7% (male 6,192,707/female 5,919,959)
15-64 years: 66.4% (male 14,292,342/female 14,717,249)
65 years and over: 5.8% (male 1,093,432/female 1,461,683) (2010 est.)
Median age:
total: 27.6 years
male: 26.7 years
female: 28.6 years (2010 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.184% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 105
Birth rate:
17.76 births/1,000 population (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 112
Death rate:
5.24 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 179
Net migration rate:
-0.68 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 149
Urbanization:
urban population: 74% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 1.7% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.74 male(s)/female
total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2010 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 16.87 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 111
male: 20.52 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 13.01 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 74.31 years
country comparison to the world: 97
male: 70.98 years
female: 77.84 years (2010 est.)
Total fertility rate:
2.18 children born/woman (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 114
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.6% (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 71
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
170,000 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 34
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
9,800 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 33
Major infectious diseases:
degree of risk: high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea
vectorborne diseases: dengue fever, malaria, and yellow fever
water contact disease: leptospirosis (2009)
Nationality:
noun: Colombian(s)
adjective: Colombian
Ethnic groups:
mestizo 58%, white 20%, mulatto 14%, black 4%, mixed
black-Amerindian 3%, Amerindian 1%
Religions:
Roman Catholic 90%, other 10%
Languages:
Spanish (official)
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 90.4%
male: 90.1%
female: 90.7% (2005 census)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 13 years
male: 13 years
female: 14 years (2008)
Education expenditures:
3.9% of GDP (2008)
country comparison to the world: 111
Government ::Colombia
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Colombia
conventional short form: Colombia
local long form: Republica de Colombia
local short form: Colombia
Government type:
republic; executive branch dominates government structure
Capital:
name: Bogota
geographic coordinates: 4 36 N, 74 05 W
time difference: UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC during Standard
Time)
Administrative divisions:
32 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento) and 1
capital district* (distrito capital); Amazonas, Antioquia, Arauca,
Atlantico, Bogota*, Bolivar, Boyaca, Caldas, Caqueta, Casanare,
Cauca, Cesar, Choco, Cordoba, Cundinamarca, Guainia, Guaviare,
Huila, La Guajira, Magdalena, Meta, Narino, Norte de Santander,
Putumayo, Quindio, Risaralda, San Andres y Providencia, Santander,
Sucre, Tolima, Valle del Cauca, Vaupes, Vichada
Independence:
20 July 1810 (from Spain)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 20 July (1810)
Constitution:
5 July 1991; amended many times
Legal system:
based on Spanish law; a new criminal code modeled after US
procedures was enacted into law in 2004 and reached full
implementation in January 2008; judicial review of executive and
legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Juan Manuel SANTOS Calderon (since 7
August 2010); Vice President Angelino GARZON (since 7 August 2010);
note - the president is both the chief of state and head of
government
head of government: President Juan Manuel SANTOS Calderon (since 7
August 2010); Vice President Angelino GARZON (since 7 August 2010)
cabinet: Cabinet
(For more information visit the World Leaders website )
elections: president and vice president elected by popular vote for
a four-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on
30 May 2010 with a runoff election 20 June 2010 (next to be held in
May 2014)
election results: Juan Manuel SANTOS Calderon elected president in
runoff election; percent of vote - Juan Manuel SANTOS Calderon
69.06%, Antanas MOCKUS 27.52%
Legislative branch:
bicameral Congress or Congreso consists of the Senate or Senado (102
seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) and
the Chamber of Representatives or Camara de Representantes (166
seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)
elections: Senate - last held on 14 March 2010 (next to be held in
March 2014); Chamber of Representatives - last held on 14 March 2010
(next to be held in March 2014)
election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by
party - U Party 28, PC 22, PL 16, PIN 9, CR 8, PDA 8, Green Party 5,
other parties 5; Chamber of Representatives - percent of vote by
party - NA; seats by party - U Party 47, PC 37, PL 36, CR 16, PIN
12, PDA 4, Green Party 3, other parties 10; note - as of 1 January
2011, the Senate currently has 101 seats after one seat became
vacant due to a PL senator losing their seat for illegal collusion
with the FARC; the Chamber of Representatives also has one seat
vacant after only 165 of the 166 candidates were credentialed
Judicial branch:
four roughly coequal, supreme judicial organs; Supreme Court of
Justice or Corte Suprema de Justicia (highest court of criminal law;
judges are selected by their peers from the nominees of the Superior
Judicial Council for eight-year terms); Council of State (highest
court of administrative law; judges are selected from the nominees
of the Superior Judicial Council for eight-year terms);
Constitutional Court (guards integrity and supremacy of the
constitution; rules on constitutionality of laws, amendments to the
constitution, and international treaties); Superior Judicial Council
(administers and disciplines the civilian judiciary; resolves
jurisdictional conflicts arising between other courts; members are
elected by three sister courts and Congress for eight-year terms)
Political parties and leaders:
Alternative Democratic Pole or PDA [Clara LOPEZ]; Conservative Party
or PC [Fernando ARAUJO]; Green Party [Luis GARZON]; Liberal Party or
PL [Rafael PARDO]; National Integration Party or PIN [Angel ALIRIO
Moreno]; Radical Change or CR [German VARGAS Lleras]; Social
National Unity Party or U Party [Juan Francisco LOZANO Ramirez]
note: Colombia has seven major political parties, and numerous
smaller movements
Political pressure groups and leaders:
National Liberation Army or ELN; Revolutionary Armed Forces of
Colombia or FARC
note: two largest insurgent groups active in Colombia
International organization participation:
BCIE, CAN, Caricom (observer), CDB, FAO, G-3, G-24, G-77, IADB,
IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO,
IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAES,
LAIA, Mercosur (associate), MIGA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG,
UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR,
UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Gabriel SILVA Lujan
chancery: 2118 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 387-8338
FAX: [1] (202) 232-8643
consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los
Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco, San Juan (Puerto Rico),
Washington, DC
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador William R. BROWNFIELD
embassy: Calle 24 Bis No. 48-50, Bogota, D.C.
mailing address: Carrera 45 No. 24B-27, Bogota, D.C.
telephone: [57] (1) 315-0811
FAX: [57] (1) 315-2197
Flag description:
three horizontal bands of yellow (top, double-width), blue, and red;
the flag retains the three main colors of the banner of Gran
Columbia, the short-lived South American republic that broke up in
1830; various interpretations of the colors exist and include:
yellow for the gold in Colombia's land, blue for the seas on its
shores, and red for the blood spilled in attaining freedom;
alternatively, the colors have been described as representing more
elemental concepts such as sovereignty and justice (yellow), loyalty
and vigilance (blue), and valour and generosity (red); or simply the
principles of liberty, equality, and fraternity
note: similar to the flag of Ecuador, which is longer and bears the
Ecuadorian coat of arms superimposed in the center
National anthem:
name: "Himno Nacional de la Republica de Colombia" (National Anthem
of the Republic of Colombia)
lyrics/music: Rafael NUNEZ/Oreste SINDICI
note: adopted 1920; the anthem was created from an inspirational
poem written by President Rafael NUNEZ
Economy ::Colombia
Economy - overview:
Colombia experienced accelerating growth between 2002 and 2007,
chiefly due to improvements in domestic security, rising commodity
prices, and to President URIBE's promarket economic policies.
Foreign direct investment reached a record $10 billion in 2008, and
continues to flow in, especially in the oil sector. A series of
policies enhanced Colombia's investment climate: pro-business
reforms in the oil and gas sectors and export-led growth fueled
mainly by the Andean Trade Promotion and Drug Eradication Act.
Inequality, underemployment, and narcotrafficking remain significant
challenges, and Colombia's infrastructure requires major
improvements to sustain economic expansion. Because of the global
financial crisis and weakening demand for Colombia's exports,
Colombia's economy grew only 2.7% in 2008, and 0.8% in 2009 but
rebounded to around 4.5% in 2010. The government has encouraged
exporters to diversify their customer base beyond the United States
and Venezuela, traditionally Colombia's largest trading partners;
the SANTOS administration continues to pursue free trade agreements
with Asian and South American partners and awaits the approval of a
Canadian trade accord by Canada's and EU's parliaments. The business
sector remains concerned about Venezuela's trade restrictions on
Colombian exports, an appreciating domestic currency, and the
pending US Congressional approval of the US-Colombia Trade Promotion
Agreement.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$431.9 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 29
$413.7 billion (2009 est.)
$410.4 billion (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$283.1 billion (2010 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
4.4% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 69
0.8% (2009 est.)
2.7% (2008 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$9,800 (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 112
$9,500 (2009 est.)
$9,500 (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 9.3%
industry: 38%
services: 52.7% (2010 est.)
Labor force:
21.27 million (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 30
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 18%
industry: 18.9%
services: 63.1% (2009 est.)
Unemployment rate:
11.2% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 123
12% (2009 est.)
Population below poverty line:
46.8% (2008)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 0.8%
highest 10%: 45% (2008)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
58.5 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 8
53.8 (1996)
Investment (gross fixed):
22.8% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 58
Public debt:
44.8% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 60
45.3% of GDP (2009 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
2.6% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 77
4.2% (2009 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
3% (October 2010)
country comparison to the world: 79
5.5% (31 December 2009)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
12.98% (31 December 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 31
17.18% (31 December 2008 est.)
Stock of narrow money:
$31.83 billion (31 December 2010 est)
country comparison to the world: 54
$24.41 billion (31 December 2009 est)
Stock of broad money:
$104.9 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 52
$82.39 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of domestic credit:
$123 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 45
$96.66 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$133.3 billion (31 December 2009)
country comparison to the world: 39
$87.03 billion (31 December 2008)
$102 billion (31 December 2007)
Agriculture - products:
coffee, cut flowers, bananas, rice, tobacco, corn, sugarcane, cocoa
beans, oilseed, vegetables; forest products; shrimp
Industries:
textiles, food processing, oil, clothing and footwear, beverages,
chemicals, cement; gold, coal, emeralds
Industrial production growth rate:
5.5% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 61
Electricity - production:
50.58 billion kWh (2007)
country comparison to the world: 48
Electricity - consumption:
38.59 billion kWh (2007)
country comparison to the world: 53
Electricity - exports:
876.7 million kWh (2007)
Electricity - imports:
39.4 million kWh (2007)
Oil - production:
686,600 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 28
Oil - consumption:
288,000 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 43
Oil - exports:
294,000 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 42
Oil - imports:
16,540 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 120
Oil - proved reserves:
2.1 billion bbl (1 January 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 35
Natural gas - production:
9 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 42
Natural gas - consumption:
8.1 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 52
Natural gas - exports:
900 million cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 36
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 190
Natural gas - proved reserves:
112 billion cu m (1 January 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 51
Current account balance:
-$5.946 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 170
-$4.991 billion (2009 est.)
Exports:
$40.24 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 59
$34.03 billion (2009 est.)
Exports - commodities:
petroleum, coffee, coal, nickel, emeralds, apparel, bananas, cut
flowers
Exports - partners:
US 39%, Venezuela 12%, Netherlands 4% (2009)
Imports:
$36.26 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 53
$31.48 billion (2009 est.)
Imports - commodities:
industrial equipment, transportation equipment, consumer goods,
chemicals, paper products, fuels, electricity
Imports - partners:
US 28%, China 11%, Mexico 7%, Brazil 6.5%, France 4.5%, Germany 4%
(2009)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$26.92 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 36
$24.99 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Debt - external:
$57.74 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 51
$52.9 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$84.62 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 37
$75.22 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$19.2 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 43
$16.2 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Exchange rates:
Colombian pesos (COP) per US dollar - 1,893.1 (2010), 2,157.6
(2009), 2,243.6 (2008), 2,013.8 (2007), 2,358.6 (2006)
Communications ::Colombia
Telephones - main lines in use:
7.5 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 25
Telephones - mobile cellular:
42.16 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 29
Telephone system:
general assessment: modern system in many respects with a nationwide
microwave radio relay system, a domestic satellite system with 41
earth stations, and a fiber-optic network linking 50 cities;
telecommunications sector liberalized during the 1990s; multiple
providers of both fixed-line and mobile-cellular services