When people search for Colombia, they hear all about salsa, stunning ladies, Pablo Escobar, and coffee. Maybe they also hear about the colonial magic of Cartagena, the adventurous nighttime of Medellín, or the magnificent Andes mountains. This is not all that Colombia is about. Here are 10 Fun Facts About Colombia you probably didn’t hear of before:
1. The Amazon is Also in Colombia
Most people believe that the Amazon only exists in Brazil, but that's not true. Even though the majority lies in Brazil, 10% of this gigantic, massive rainforest can also be found in Colombia. Because this is an area of high importance in terms of ecology and culture, the country is truly working hard to preserve not only the flora and fauna found there but also the local indigenous communities in the region. Whereas the Amazon covers just 10% of the territory of Colombia, it occupies nearly one-third of Colombia.
2. Chocolate With Cheese
For this first fun fact about Colombia, we bring you a sweet, salty, and savory combination you probably haven't seen anywhere else. "Chocolate con queso" is the top hot drink for breakfast. Many Colombians love to drink melted cheese in a savory pot. Or they dip in in hot chocolate as well. A bit weird, but do not knock it till you try it! Certainly, one of the most interesting things you might try in Colombia.
3. Third Highest Capital
Did you know that Bogotá is the third highest capital in the world? It sits on top of the Andes mountains, 2,640 meters above sea level. Coming in second place is Quito in Ecuador and first is La Paz in Bolivia. The sprawling city high in the mountains gives it very beautiful surrounding scenery. It gets a bit chilly sometimes. Bogotá, being the cultural capital of the country, is worth a visit as well. Some of the great things to do there include doing a city tour or taking an excellent tour of the amazing Gold Museum.
4. The 2nd Largest Carnaval in South America
Carnaval is held throughout South America and the Caribbean. However, most people associate with Brazil because that country hosts the largest celebration in South America. If you would like to try this holiday then you should take a detour to Colombia which hosts the second-largest celebration in South America for this holiday. Specifically, you should go to the city of Barranquilla because it hosts the biggest festival in Colombia. The origins of the Barranquilla Carnival date back to celebrations in the colonial period held in Cartagena. Slave peoples would parade through the streets, singing and dancing, playing African instruments, and all dressed in their cultural costumes. The festival was originally a celebration marking the end of the working season and the renewal of nature as spring approached.
5. Two Coasts
Some fun facts about Colombia that you probably didn't know. Colombia is the only country in South America with coastlines on both the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean. Locals as well as travelers have more than 300 beaches to their advantage. The Caribbean Coast is better known and has gorgeous white sand beaches with crystal clear water at places like the Rosario Islands and Tayrona National Park. The lesser-visited Pacific Coast is a bit more rugged but still full of stunning and largely untouched and pristine beaches. It's even possible to see whales during the June to October migration season, one of the coolest experiences in Colombia.
6. Milk Soup
Another interesting food fun fact about Colombia is how much the Colombians love soup and there are a variety of soups people eat at different times of the day. Changua is one of a particularly unique variety. It is a breakfast soup, made with milk and under-cooked eggs. It is composed of water and milk, some chopped potatoes, and one egg, which is left to cook for about a minute. They are consumed in Bogotá and the interior of the country. Like the cheese and chocolate, it is a little different, but if you're feeling adventurous, try it!
7. Colombia Is the World's Second-Largest Flower Exporter
Colombia may be world-renowned for its energizing coffee bean production, but it's also the world's leader in floral exports. And yes, 4 billion roses are imported by the United States alone from Colombia. But it's not just about the roses; the country has over 4,000 different species of orchids.
8. Colombia Ranks Among the Happiest People on Earth
Most people consider Nordic countries when the term "happiest citizens in the world" comes to mind. Colombia has ranked at the top for a time or two itself. Specifically, the Brameter of Happiness and Hop Foundation ranked the South American country as the "#1 Happiest Country in the World" back-to-back in 2013 and 2014. The country still often ranks on the high side to this day.
9. Twenty-seven times the Size of the Netherlands
Another interesting fact about Colombia that you probably didn't know is how big the country is. The land's surface stands for the sum of France, Spain, and Portugal or equals 27 times the size of the Netherlands! It is the 25th biggest country on earth.
10. Alcohol Prohibition
Wait, don't freak out, alcohol is not strictly banned in Colombia! Now, another funny fact about Colombia: they do sometimes ban alcohol sales for good! The government also bans alcohol during major events to curb the disturbances. The most common ban is during elections. According to Article 13 in Decree 415, no consumption of alcohol or sale takes place on the weekend of the Congressional elections. Usually, at presidential and local elections, the sale of alcohol is prohibited by legislation. If you get in trouble you should at least have an esim in your phone. Does Your Phone Support eSIM? Make sure it does before you go traveling in Colombia.
11.3rd Most Popular Coffee Beans
The hardcore coffee enthusiast wouldn't be surprised by this truth either. Still, Colombia is the third biggest coffee bean producer in the world after Brazil, its adjacent country, and Vietnam. Most beans in Colombia leave the country but to taste some locally, look for cafes that offer single-source coffee. Or you can go to the popular coffee areas like Cocora Valley or Santa Marta. On the other hand, coffee enthusiasts might be surprised that coffee beans are not indigenous to Colombia. It was introduced to the country during the 1700s, and due to the tropical climate of the country, it is perfect for producing the best coffee.
12. Many Holidays
The Colombians like to have fun! they are also very Catholic. All this put together means there are lots of holidays throughout Colombia. Colombia has the second most national holiday in the world. They have a total of 18, of which 12 are Catholic and 6 are Civic. They are only surpassed by India with 21 holidays.
13. Goliath Palm Trees
The country hosts the world's tallest Palm tree, the wax palm. Some of them reach a height of up to 60 meters. The wax palm is the national tree of Colombia and is one of numerous great examples of the natural diversity of this country. About 14 species of Wax Palm exist in the world, of which 7 are in Colombia. Cocora Valley is one of the best sites from which to view them. People travel and they get worried because of connectivity issues. So eSimmer has the perfect solution. Search more before you go to Colombia about How to Limit Data Usage on Your iPhone While Travelling.
14. The Real Emerald City
The Emerald City may be a mythological location from The Wizard of Oz, but Colombia has the distinction of being the world's largest source of emeralds. Experts believe that Colombia mines produce the most emeralds in the world. They are famous for unearthing some of the most desirable versions of the stone because of the deep bright green color to be found here. Statistics show that this South American country supplies about 70 to 90% of the global emerald market. The only major country in terms of emerald desirability that comes close to this South American country is Zambia. Before travelling to Colombia make sure you know How Dual SIM Phones Work for Travellers? So you can stay connected with your loved ones with ease.
15. Pink River Dolphins
One of the beauties of Colombia lies in that it owns pink river dolphins, called Boto. These beautiful, enchanting creatures swim in their rivers inside the Amazon rainforest and are pink because they are born gray and become pink over time, although this is an ongoing debate. Some believe the pink skin is scar tissue from all the fights these botos tend to get involved in. This is true for the males. The boto dolphins are a vision to behold irrespective of why they have this pink skin as they almost resemble mythical creatures.
