15 Surprising Facts About Colombia What You Probably Didn't Know
Colombia is known for its rich culture and beautiful nature. On the other hand, Colombia is one of the world’s most biologically diverse countries. It’s the only country besides Israel to have all of its ecosystems within its borders. And the reason for that is that it’s located in the middle of the Andes, which block out nearly all direct sunlight, keeping the lowlands cool and lush. Colombia is also boarded by the Caribbean Sea. It’s also famous for its beaches, which are like a tropical paradise. In the country, you can find beaches near the Caribbean and beautiful trails in the Andes. Not to mention that also you can go to the jungle of the Amazonas and have a one of a kind adventure. How unbelievable is this?? Can you name a country which has beaches, mountains and jungles?? With these beauties, Colombia is still not a popular destination like Peru or Mexico. Young people are only going because of the parties and to hook up.
So why do you think is that? We think that Colombia is so underrated. People have a bad stereotype about it. We don’t say that you can not get robbed. But still, people, if we mention Colombia they are not thinking about its biodiversity, its beautiful forests and its animals. People are thinking about crime and drugs. The media is not pushing to show Colombia as a beautiful country. Of course, there are problems. If you are careful you can truly experience its beauty.
In this article, I want to highlight good and bad things about Colombia. We fell in love with this little gem. We want you to wake up and know more about Colombia. Maybe next time it’s going to be your next destination. We highly recommend it.
What do we know about Colombia?
Let’s see these 15 famous things about Colombia.
Coffee
Oh my god! We have to tell you that it’s one of the best in the world! Not kidding. For example, in Costa Rica, they were proud of their coffee, but it was a sh*t. And trust us we are a coffee euthanise so we try all kinds of coffees everywhere. Even on their own Starbucks which is called Juan Valdez, their coffee can blow your mind. It’s strong and tasty.
Emeralds
They are producing more than 60% of the world’s emeralds. Did you know that?
Fruits
Okay. This is quite obvious, but we haven’t seen that many kinds of fruits in a shop. They had like 4(!) kinds of lemons only. In Colombia, it was the first time when we tried yellow dragon fruit. Go to Colombia and try their more than 20 kinds of exotic fruits.
Flowers
After Costa Rica, I didn’t think that we would see that many beautiful flowers. We were amazed when we went to Bogotá to the Botanical Garden. It was such an amazing experience.
Biodiversity
Colombia is home to a wide range of biodiversity. It has the largest range of mammals, reptiles, birds, and insects in South America. Colombia’s vast size and varied terrain offer a habitat for a diversity of plants, animals, and other organisms. Colombia’s natural environment is also a haven for many unique species, including the Andean Condor(Colombia’s national animal) and jaguar.
Birdwatching
At almost 2,000, Colombia is home to more bird species than any other country. Its vast national parks, varied climates and intricate eco-systems make it a haven for visitors in search of some of the world’s most exciting birds.
Tourism
Colombia is a must-see destination that awaits you. Discover all of its stories on a trip through its diversity, culture, and people. As we mentioned before, Colombia has sea, rainforest, and vibrant cities. So it is obvious tourism is blooming.
Artist
Colombia is a country full of art, from the pre-Columbian sculpture of San Agustin to the contemporary art of Cali. The country has produced some of the most important Latin American artists, including Oscar Murillo, Fernando Botero, and Gabriel Garcia Marquez. Even today, Colombia is a hub for artists who want to express themselves without restrictions, and the country has a vast artistic heritage to share with the world. Our favourite is Fernando Botero. Check him out!
Business
Bogotá is the next Dubai. Many start-ups choose Colombia’s capital as their home. Bogotá’s airport has the biggest traffic in South America. When we were there, we were surprised that how many skyscrapers and business buildings are there.
Colombian women
This is a big stereotype. We didn’t see that many beautiful women as they said would be there. It doesn’t mean that they are not beautiful, but unfortunately, the big percentage is not how you have seen them on TV. We should talk about the talented women who are Colombians. Let’s name a few. For example Marta Rodriguez, pioneer filmmaker and Catalina Sandino, Oscar-nominated star.
Car-free day
First, we have seen this in Mexico City. This is called Ciclovia in Bogotá. This means that on Sundays there are no cars on the main road of Bogotá and you can access it by bike or rollers etc. This is something cool and convenient.
Colombia football
Colombia is one of the world’s most popular football nations. The country’s most famous players include the likes of Faryd Mondragon, who scored the first goal in the World Cup; Carlos Valderrama, who won the Golden Boot in the 1986 World Cup; and James Rodríguez, who won the Golden Boot in the 2014 World Cup. The Colombia national team has been ranked in the top ten in the world since 1990 and has won the Copa América five times. The national team is also known for its passionate fans, who often cheer on the team in their country’s largest cities.
Roller speed skating
Colombia is one of the best in roller speed skating in the world.
Cycling
Most of the sport’s finest climbers, as well as track, mountain biking, and BMX riders (Olympic gold medals in 2012 and 2016). Among the well-known riders are Nairo Quintana, Rigoberto Urán, Sergio Henao, Esteban Chaves, Egan Bernal, and Mariana Pajón. Others from previous generations include Luis Herrera, Fabio Parra, Santiago Botero, and Cochise Rodriguez.
Colombian Carnivals
Colombia is the world’s third-biggest carnival. Once a year, each large city hosts a carnival in which regional traditions are celebrated joyfully and artistically. If floral arrangements excite you, then the Flower Fair in Medellin in August is a must-see. You will see the most massive and stunning blooms you have ever seen. If you enjoy dancing, travel to Barranquilla’s Carnival in February. The parades are known for their brightly coloured floats and it’s the third-biggest in the world.
Colombia is a must-visit country. In this article, we didn’t mention the bad things that you know about Colombia, like cocaine, drugs and robberies. Sadly people are going to be able to mention these things about Colombia and not their famous artists or exotic animals. Please try to not be mainstream and look at the good side of this country. We loved it and it is absolutely lovely. There are some negative things, but where are it isn’t?
We hope that you liked our article. As you can see in Colombia, there are tons of things to experience. Colombia is a country rich in culture, history, and biodiversity. It is a country where you can find the best fine dining, live music, and lively nightlife. It is also a country where you can find the most pristine jungles, breathtaking mountains, and quiet beaches. The country is known for its warm, welcoming people, friendly atmosphere, and beautiful landscapes.
