Background
Colombia
was one of the three countries that emerged from the collapse of Gran
Colombia in 1830 (the others being Ecuador and Venezuela). A 40-year
insurgent campaign to overthrow the Colombian Government escalated
during the 1990s, undergirded in part by funds from the drug trade.
Although the violence is deadly and large swaths of the countryside are
under guerrilla influence, the movement lacks the military strength or
popular support necessary to overthrow the government. An
anti-insurgent army of paramilitaries has grown to be several thousand
strong in recent years, challenging the insurgents for control of
territory and illicit industries such as the drug trade and the
government's ability to exert its dominion over rural areas. While
Bogota continues to try to negotiate a settlement, neighboring
countries worry about the violence spilling over their borders.
Colombia's
economy suffered from weak domestic demand, austere government budgets,
and a difficult security situation. A new president takes office in
2002 and will face economic challenges ranging from pension reform to
reduction of unemployment. Two of Colombia's leading exports, oil and
coffee, face an uncertain future; new exploration is needed to offset
declining oil production, while coffee harvests and prices are
depressed. Problems in public security are a concern for Colombian
business leaders, who are calling for progress in the government's
peace negotiations with insurgent groups. Colombia is looking for
continued support from the international community to boost economic
and peace prospects.
Holidays
Jan 1 - New Year's Day
Jan 6* - Epiphany
Mar 19* - St Joseph's Day
Mar 24~ - Maundy Thursday
Mar 25~ - Good Friday
May 1 - Labour Day
May 5* - Ascension
May 26* - Corpus Christi
Jun 17 - Sagrado Corazon (Sacred Heart)
Jun 29* - Saint Peter and Saint Paul
Jul 20 - Independence Day
Aug 7 - Battle of Boyaca
Aug 15* - Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Oct 12* - Dia de la Raza (Columbus Day)
Nov 1* - All Saints' Day
Nov 11* - Independence of Cartagena City
Nov 25 - Thanksgiving
Dec 8 - Immaculate Conception
Dec 25 - Christmas Day
Ps:
These festivals' dates (~) given above are approximations which are
subject to change every new year. Besides, the holidays(*) do not fall
on a Monday, they are observed the following Monday.
Phone Codes
Country Code: 57
Outgoing International Code: 90
Main Areas' Codes:
Arauca 7
Armenia 6
Barranquilla 5
Bogota (Santafe de Bogota D.C.) 1
Bucaramanga 76
Cali 2
Cartagena 5
Cartago 656
Cúcuta 75
Florencia 8
Giradot 834
Ibague 8
Letitia 8
Manizales 6
Medellin 4
Mitu 8
Mocoa 8
Neiva 8
Palmira 22
Pereira 6
Puerto Carreno 8
Puerto Inirada 8
Riohacha 5
Santa Marta 5
San Andres 8
San Jose de Guaviare 8
Sincelejo 5
Tunja 8
Valledupar 5
Villavicencio 8
Yopal 8
Resources
Market Research
Embassy of Colombia, Washington, D.C.
Embassy of Colombia, providing information about visa, passports, notarization of documents, culture and tourism.
Republic of Colombia
Comprehensive
set of links to Colombian websites as well as other information about
the country, Regions and cities, business, embassies and consular
offices, universities, newspapers, and politics.
Colombia National Business Media
Mondotimes has a large research scale to find out the Colombia's business opportunities with its enriched database capacity.
CIA - The World Factbook - Colombia
This
website indicates a wide range of detail information about Colombia by
introducing under 8 different fields as its geography, people,
government, economy, communications, transportation, military,
transnational issues.
About Colombia
There
is available to find out Colombian general outlook on the issues of its
social and business profile, passport/visa, money, accommodation,
government, duty free, health and so forth.
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