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Colombia

Origin

The pre-Columbian cultures existed in the Andean region and in the Pacific. Among these cultures are: the Tayrona, Sinú, Muisca, Quimbaya, Tierradentro and San Agustín. Alonso de Ojeda and Juan de la Cosa arrived to the Guajira Peninsula in 1499. They were the first Spanish who trod Colombian lands. The wealth of the Indians created the golden myth and Colombian coasts were coveted by a lot of expeditions and in1525 Santa Marta was founded (the oldest city of Colombia). Gonzalo Jiménez de Quezada left Santa Marta to go deep into Magdalena Valley and they conquered the muisca territory and founded Santa Fe de Bogotá at the beginning of 1537.


Constitution

The 1991 Constitution stated as its fundamental principle, the political and social organization of the country based on the participative democracy, so the citizens of this country have the right to participate in the social organizations as the planning, management and control of public affairs.. Colombia is a social State governed by law, organized as a unitary decentralized republic with autonomous territorial organizations, democratic, participative, and pluralistic, created under the principle of respect towards the human dignity, right of labor and solidarity among its people. The state has as its main task to serve the community, promote general welfare, and guarantee the effectiveness of the principles, rights and duties stated in the Constitution; the State recognizes and protects the ethnical and cultural diversity of the Colombian Nation. It is also the state’s and people’s obligation to protect the cultural and natural wealth. In the same way, the foreign policy of the country is based on the principle of the Latin American and Caribbean integration.


Government

Republic; the executive power rules the structure of the government.


General History

Colombia is sort of a geographical riddle. The country is as familiar to the Andes as it is to the Amazonian region, the jungles, the lands and even the everlasting snow. Colombia is not an easy definition, for nothing stays the same for too long in this beautiful country. Colombia belongs to the Caribbean, in part to the Andean Mountains and the Amazonian rain forest. From the combination of all these elements and out of a somewhat balanced array of components among white, indigenous and black people, Colombia is indeed is mongrel nation, especially from a cultural standpoint. Were there a model for the Latin American way of life, the Colombian model would certainly be close to being the one. Colombians are self-demanding and love their dear homeland above everything else. Thus, whatever negative view you might have about their country, it's been long since Colombians themselves noticed it. If you're truly willing to get to know the country, get closer to its wonderful tourist destinations and you'll be dazzled with such cities as Cartagena de Indias, Barranquilla, Santa Marta y San Andrés Islands and Providencia. There're also numerous hotels in all of these cities for you to take a sound rest. Different sightseeing places will get you closer and closer to the country's history. Meet the archeological wonders its churches, monuments, museums, theaters, castles and fortresses have to offer. But if you'd like to have something to eat after a long tour, don't think twice to drop by one of its many restaurants offering top-quality food. Colombians have also developed other virtues: they're seldom bewildered by a double-take reaction, and their minds are as quick as steel straps when it comes to argument and debate. One of Colombia's greatest prides is its press and free journalism. There're pretty good magazines and newspapers nationwide. Yet if you think that seeing is believing as far as the beauty of the nation is concerned, then call on the national parks, archeological sites and its beaches. You just won't believe your eyes and the memories will simply be unforgettable.