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Life in Colombia

·Lying within the northwest of the continent and connecting with Central and North America, the country is named the “gateway to South America”.

·Colombia is among the most highly populated international locations in South America, with the majority of the inhabitants residing in cities.

·Colombia is among the most biologically numerous nations on Earth, boasting beautiful wildlife and a varying climate throughout the nation resulting from its mountainous terrain.

·The healthcare system is subject to widespread criticism, with many expats opting for personal healthcare.

·The nation has made great steps in improving its safety, nevertheless, crime charges stay excessive. Expats should keep away from sure areas and be safety acutely aware when out and about.

Who Are Colombians?

Colombia is residence to an estimated 48.5 million people, making it the third most populous country in Latin America after Brazil and Mexico. Colombia is a highly urbanized nation: some seventy seven% of Colombians live in cities, six of which have metropolitan areas with a couple of million inhabitants. The population of Colombia is incredibly inconsistently distributed throughout the country, and most areas in the southern and eastern components are only very sparsely populated.

Ethnically, Colombia is fairly various, a indisputable fact that stems both from the nation’s history and from the rising recognition of Colombia with expats, retirees, and immigrants from Europe, Asia, the Center East, and North America. The overwhelming majority (eighty four%) of the inhabitants consists of those who are white and Mestizo — individuals of European and Amerindian descent — with the Afro-Colombian inhabitants making up an extra 10%.

There's additionally a big variety of indigenous peoples — although they solely account for a small percentage of the inhabitants, there are virtually 90 distinct cultures. They largely reside in the south and east of the nation, primarily in Amazonía and Orinoquía.

Two Coasts, Many Climates

Colombia’s wildlife is as diverse as its geography: some 10% of all species on this planet populate its rainforests, steppes, savannas, and mountains. The country could be divided into five distinct regions: the Andes, the Pacific Coast, the Caribbean Coast, the llanos (plains) within the east, and the Amazon Rainforest within the south. Colombia is exclusive because it’s the only country in South America with access to both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

Given its proximity to the equator, there may be pretty little seasonal variety when it comes to climate. Nonetheless, depending on which metropolis you agree in (we've listed some expat favorites in our article on transferring to Colombia), you could be surprised by the distinction in weather all through the country. Situated within the Andes, Bogotá is fairly cool and foggy all 12 months with highs usually not exceeding 15°C in the hottest month of March and temperatures often dropping beneath freezing. In stark distinction, Cali, on the west coast of the nation, enjoys excessive temperatures averaging 30°C or more. Earlier than you pack your bags for Cali, remember that it is a hotspot for violence within the nation, with fifty six homicides per 100,000 individuals in 2016.

Hablas Español?

Whereas officially there are several dozen languages spoken in Colombia at this time, Colombia women Spanish is more or less the only language that expats will hear within the city streets. It is extremely recommended to brush up your Spanish expertise earlier than you relocate. While English is prone to get you pretty far within the office, it is best to make an effort to talk the local language in the event you plan on staying in Colombia for an extended time frame. There are various regional dialects in Colombia, and “Colombian Spanish” tends to check with the dialect spoken in Bogotá. Made well-known by Shakira, Colombian Spanish is regarded as the clearest Spanish to know worldwide. You clearly don't want to speak the local dialect to be understood by Colombians — any effort to speak in Spanish will probably be appreciated in most situations.

Colombian Politics: Instability and Uncertainty

The politics in Colombia are complicated and there are numerous ongoing issues. Since the 1960s, the federal government, paramilitary groups, crime syndicates, and left-wing guerilla teams have been at struggle with one another. Most effectively-recognized of those guerilla teams are the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), and their opponents, the National Liberation Army, who fight to achieve territory. Though a hard-fought peace treaty was signed with FARC at the end of 2016, it remains to be seen what influence this will have on the political future of Colombia.