Colombia
Wikipedia - Colombia is a unitary constitutional republic comprising thirty-two departments. The country is located in northwestern South America, bordered to the northwest by Panama; to the north by the Caribbean Sea; to the east by Venezuela and Brazil; to the south by Ecuador and Peru; and to the west by the Pacific Ocean. Colombia is ethnically diverse. The interaction between descendants of the original native inhabitants, Spanish colonists, Africans brought as slaves and twentieth-century immigrants from Europe and the Middle East has produced a varied cultural heritage. This has also been influenced by Colombia's varied geography. The majority of the urban centres are located in the highlands of the Andes mountains, but Colombian territory also encompasses Amazon rainforest, tropical grassland and both Caribbean and Pacific coastlines. Ecologically, Colombia is one of the world's 17 megadiverse countries, and is considered the most megadiverse per square kilometer.
CLICK ON THE PICTURES BELOW TO DISCOVER SOME OF THE BEST THINGS TO SEE AND DO IN COLOMBIA
Top Ten Crazy Bogota Facts
1. Bogotá, the capital of Colombia, is the most populous city in the country, with an estimated 7,304,384 inhabitants as of 2009.
2. Guinea Pig racing is popular on the streets of Bogotá. A number of small plastic huts are placed on the ground and people place bets on which huts the guinea pigs will crawl into when the owner sends them off.
3. French fries are served with mayonnaise – one has to request ketchup
4. Instead of payphones there are people on the street that sell cell phone calls for $200 pesos a minute. The phones are chained to a stand.
5. Water is allowed through airport security and on the airplanes.
6. They are constructing a metro that is expected to be completed in 2015.
7. They celebrate Christmas well into January.
8. There are a number of different cabs; some are private with lump sum prices while others have meters. I found the metered ones to be cheaper in the city and the private ones better for long trips.
9. Colombia is combating its reputation as a dangerous country full of paramilitaries and coke dealers and is now promoting tourism.
10.It is not uncommon for meat to be grilling over an outdoor fire to be served in outdoor cafes.
2. Guinea Pig racing is popular on the streets of Bogotá. A number of small plastic huts are placed on the ground and people place bets on which huts the guinea pigs will crawl into when the owner sends them off.
3. French fries are served with mayonnaise – one has to request ketchup
4. Instead of payphones there are people on the street that sell cell phone calls for $200 pesos a minute. The phones are chained to a stand.
5. Water is allowed through airport security and on the airplanes.
6. They are constructing a metro that is expected to be completed in 2015.
7. They celebrate Christmas well into January.
8. There are a number of different cabs; some are private with lump sum prices while others have meters. I found the metered ones to be cheaper in the city and the private ones better for long trips.
9. Colombia is combating its reputation as a dangerous country full of paramilitaries and coke dealers and is now promoting tourism.
10.It is not uncommon for meat to be grilling over an outdoor fire to be served in outdoor cafes.
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Teresa the Traveler's Colombia Travel Tips1. Columbia is a Spansh speaking country so be sure to bring a Spanish phrase book
2. Visas for most countries can be purchased at the airport upon arrival. 3. Cabs are the most convenient form of transportation and the prices can be negotiated. 4. There is a threat of terrorism in the rural areas stay in the major cities where security is higher
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