Colombia - Useful information for your trip

Colombia is a country in South America, its capital city is Bogotà. It is the only Latin American country facing the Pacific Ocean to the west, while the northern part looks directly to the Caribbean sea. It is the 26th largest country in the world and the fourth in South America.

The land is divided into four geographic areas, each with its own different characteristics: the Amazon rainforest, the Andes, the Caribbean, the islands and Orinoco and Pacifica.

Generally speaking, the western area is more mountainous, while the east is characterized by flat land. Colombia is part of the so-called "Ring of fire", an area subject to earthquakes, tsunamis and volcanic eruptions, as it is situated on the convergence of Nazca plate, the Caribbean plate and the South American plate. In Colombia the climate is particularly varied,  from the extreme cold of the Andes glaciers to the heat of the plains, with two dry and two rainy seasons.

The orchid is the national flower, as it grows all over the country and in all climatic areas. A particular type of water lily, with its slightly round leaves, known as Victoria amazonica is also typical of Amazonia. Besides the flora, the variety of birds is also rich, from Andean condors to humming birds, from parrots to toucans. As for fish, piranhas and electric eels are to be mentioned. Jaguars, ocelots, armadillos, ant bears and spectacled bears live in the rain forest.

The Colombian economy is the fifth in South America: as from 2002, the country has been generally growing, despite consistent crimes and cases of public nuisance. Even with the economic system improving, investments in road infrastructures are still low and around 34% of the popolation lives below the poverty line. Tourism plays an important role in the economy of the country.

Some of the best places to visit are Tayrona park in Santa Marta, with its breath-taking landscape, the sanctuary of Monserrate, to be reached by cableway from Bogotà, the island of San Andrès, to be reached only by plane, and then Cartagena, an unmissable destination for anyone who wants to experience the culture, the cuisine and the spirit of Colombia to the fullest on a tailormade trip designed according to your wishes. .