HISTORY

The history of Colombia

Colombia has a rich history, with indigenous peoples and cultures inhabiting the region since at least 12,000 BCE. These indigenous groups were considered subjects of the Spanish Crown and, therefore, could not be enslaved. The name “Colombia” honors the Italian navigator Christopher Columbus, whose voyages helped open the Americas to European exploration. The Spanish conquest of the region began in 1525, when the explorer Rodrigo de Bastidas founded Santa Marta on the northern coast. After a long struggle for independence, Colombia finally gained freedom from Spain in 1819, and later became a republic in 1886.

Geography

Colombia is uniquely positioned with coastlines along both the Caribbean Sea to the north and the Pacific Ocean to the west. The country’s tropical climate varies significantly across six natural regions, with differences in altitude, temperature, and rainfall shaping local environments. As one of the most biodiverse countries in the world, Colombia is home to an immense variety of ecosystems and species, contributing to its remarkable ecological richness.

Fun facts

The capital of Colombia is Bogotá, and the official language is Spanish. The country’s currency is the peso, and its official name is the Republic of Colombia.