Northwest South America.

GMT - 5.

1,141,748 sq km (440,831 sq miles).

45 million (2008 estimate).

39.4 per sq km.

Bogotá. Population: 7.1 million (2007 estimate).

Colombia is situated in South America, bordered by the Caribbean and the Pacific Ocean, Panama, Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela and Brazil. The Andes Mountains extend into the country in three ranges running south to north, dipping finally into the lowlands of the Caribbean coast.

Along the southern Pacific coast run marshy lowlands and rugged low mountains. The southwestern coastal lowlands extend in a trough running from the port of Buenaventura to the Caribbean. East of this rise the slopes of the Western Cordillera which, with the Central Cordillera range, runs north to the Caribbean lowlands from Ecuador. Further north lies the fertile Cauca Valley, which becomes a deep gorge running between the Cordilleras to the Caribbean lowlands.

The Eastern Cordillera, the longest range, rises north of the Ecuadorean border and runs north then northeast towards Venezuela. Flat grassy prairies in the east along with the jungles and towering rainforests of the Amazon make up over half the country's area. Colombia also claims two small islands, San Andrés and Providencia, located 700km (430 miles) north of the coast.

Republic. Colombia declared its independence from Spain in 1810; however, it was proclaimed the Republic of Gran Colombia in 1819.

President Álvaro Uribe since 2002.

President Uribe comfortably won a second four-year term in the May 2006 presidential elections, following constitutional change allowing him to stand. The pro-US, right-leaning president has overseen a dramatic reduction in murder and kidnapping rates. His hard-line stance against left-wing guerillas and right-wing paramilitaries has also seen positive results. In 2008, the biggest guerrilla group FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia) was weakened by the death of several leaders: some killed in military raids, and others turned on by their own men in return for a state reward.

Spanish is the official language. Local dialects and some English, French, German and Italian are also spoken.

Christianity, with 90% Roman Catholic; small Protestant and Jewish minorities.

Mostly 110 volts AC, 60Hz. American-style two-pin plugs.

Normal courtesies should be observed. It is customary to offer guests black Colombian coffee, well sugared, called tinto. Spanish style and culture can still be seen in parts of the country, although in Bogotá, North American attitudes and clothes are becoming prevalent. Casual clothes can be worn in most places; formal attire will be necessary for exclusive dining rooms and social functions. Smoking is allowed except where indicated.