FACTS

Location: Northern South America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Panama and Venezuela, and bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between Ecuador and Panama

Area (only Total) total: 1,138,910 sq km

Climate: tropical along coast and eastern plains; cooler in highlands

Terrain: flat coastal lowlands, central highlands, high Andes Mountains, eastern lowland plains

Population: 45,013,674 (July 2008 est.)

Main Language (only first): Spanish

Government type: republic; executive branch dominates government structure

Capital (Name): Bogota

Capital (Time Difference): UTC-5

Independence: 20 July 1810 (from Spain)

National holiday: Independence Day, 20 July (1810)