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INTRODUCTION Welcome to the official booklet about Colombia, here you will find all the information about our national projects and awesome information about our country, a tropical country of incredible diversity and charm. Their variety geography, our history full of mystery and adventure, its people and cultures have fascinated the world for centuries. Famous for our excellent coffee, beautiful beaches, more than 20 original dances such as cumbia, mapale, vallenato, reggaeton, champeta and many others waiting for you to learn, the only country we’re you can eat “happiness”.
Full of mystery and adventure, its people and cultures have fascinated the world for centuries
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THE ANSWER IS COLOMBIA
COLOMBIAN FLAG
The Republic of Colombia , is an unitary, constitutional republic comprising thirty-two departments. It 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.
Colombian departments are divided in 5 regions, Caribbean, Pacific, Andean, Orinoco Savannah and Amazon Rainforest. Caribbean region is known for it’s people full of happynness and energy. (Barranquilla’s carnival take place in that region). Andean Region is the largest one, where you can find our capital city Bogotá D.C, this region is full of worker and kind people living in cities raised in the mountains and valleys. Pacific, as a coast region, is also full of happy people, in this one there’s a lot of afroamerican heritage. Orinoco and amazon regions are the least inhabited, but have lot’s of territory (There still remain some indigenous communities)
VARIETY OF LANDSCAPES
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1.Cultural Coffee Landscape (Andean region) 2.Cocora Valley (Andean region) 3.Tayrona Park (Caribbean region)
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4.Savannah Landscape (Orinoco Region) 5.Whale Watching in Gorgona Island (Pacific region) 6.Amazon River (Amazon Rainforest)
-First in orchid species . -First in emerald production. -First in theater showcase (Iberoamerican Theather festival). -First in pre-hispanic gold figures. -First U.S.A flower supplier. -Second world’s flower provider. -Second most biodiverse country. -We export the world’s smoothest coffee.
LIFE COST The money in Colombia is the Colombian Peso. Current rates against major currencies are: 1,800 Pesos per US Dollar, 2,800 Pesos per British Pound and 2,300 Pesos per Euro.
ATMs are your best source to get money. You can usually pay by Visa and Mastercard in hotels and nice restaurants, at least in the main city. The main thing that’s available on the cheap in Colombia is food. For backpackers this is a paradise in terms of cuisine, since one meal can cost as little as $3,500COL (about $1.75US) and comes with unlimited juices, a soup to start and more carbohydrates in the meal than you can shake a fork at (we’re talking pasta, chips, rice, plantain, yuca and sometimes potato). Higher-end restaurants are similarly low in price (comparatively speaking), and even dining in the finest restaurants it can be difficult to spend more than $50US, drinks and desert included. For more information about Colombian Life http://off2colombia.com/money-and-costs-in-colombia
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VISA PROCESS There is no nationality restriction to travel to Colombia. A visa is required, except for citizens of the following countries (who stay strictly for tourism purposes and for a maximum of 90 days): -Argentina -Austria -Barbados -Belgium -Brazil -Canada -Costa Rica -Chile -Denmark -Ecuador -El Salvador -Spain
-United States -Finland -France -Great Britain -Guatemala -Italy -Japan -Liechtenstein -Luxemburg -Mexico -Norway -The Netherlands
Those who wish to visit the country for work or study must apply for a visa or permit at Colombian consulates abroad. The visas may be temporary or resident. The former are given to people who enter with no intention of living in the country, the second is given to those who intend to live there permanently. For more information you can visit http://bit.ly/travel_to_colombia
-Peru -Poland -Republic of Korea (South Korea) -Germany -Sweden -Switzerland -Trinidad and Tobago -Uruguay -Venezuela -Foreign residents of Canada and the United States.
SOME COLOMBIAN CITIES Magic realism is a genre where magic elements are a natural part in an otherwise mundane, realistic environment. That means a place where reality and fantasy meet each other. No wonder the style of Colombian author Gabriel García Márquez emerged from there – there is a dreamlike quality to Colombia. With the sun forever overhead, heart-stopping vistas in every direction and the warmth of the locals putting you at ease – you may find it difficult to leave this country.Colombian culture, like the country’s weather, varies by altitude. The essence of Colombia resides in the mountains in the alpine cities. Bonding together colors, people and diversity, Colombia appears as a huge potential for a life changing experience.
Cali
In Cali, salsa dancing is more common than walking. Santiago de Cali offers historical areas with cultural variety and other attractions.
Santa Marta An ideal way to see Santa Marta is to walk through the Historic Downtown area, stopping at the Cathe dral, the museums and the Camellón de Bastidas for a romantic holiday.
Cartagena The magic of Cartagena lies in its massive fortifications, the warmth of the people, the richness of the architecture and the infinite range ofcultural expression of a doughty and valiant people.
Coffee Triangle The rolling hills of the coffee plantations are a hidden paradise, full of unsuspected pleasures.
Medellín Touring the city is always a pleasu re, given the number of open spaces reflecting the civic life and organization of the residents, presenting a modern and welco ming capital.
Bogotá A city to live through your five senses. It’s flavors are captivating and it’s scents, hypnotizing. Here experiences are constructed through traditions, it’s people and it’s geogra phy.
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