Colombia covers about 1.14 million square kilometers, or 440,831 square miles. To imagine its size, the country is roughly the same size as the state of Texas and California combined, or about the same size as South Africa. In European terms, it is approximately double the size of France. Because it sits right on the equator, Colombia doesn’t have traditional seasons—instead, the temperature depends on how high up in the mountains you are!

The most popular sport is Football, but the national sport is actually Tejo, a traditional game where players throw metal discs at small targets containing gunpowder that explode on impact! Their national animal is the Andean Condor, one of the largest flying birds in the world, with a wingspan that can reach over 10 feet.

The flag consists of three horizontal stripes of yellow, blue, and red, where the yellow represents the country’s gold and natural wealth, the blue stands for the two oceans, and the red symbolizes the blood shed for independence.

The food is incredibly comforting and varied. You must try the Bandeja Paisa, a massive platter featuring beans, rice, crispy pork belly, fried egg, and avocado. Colombia is also world-famous for its Coffee, and you can visit the “Coffee Triangle” to see how the beans are grown on steep, bright green hills.

Colombia is the second most biodiverse country on Earth, meaning it has more types of birds, butterflies, and orchids than almost anywhere else. In the north, you’ll find Caño Cristales, also known as the “River of Five Colors,” which turns bright shades of red, yellow, and green due to unique aquatic plants. The country is also home to the Lost City (Teyuna), an ancient mountain settlement built by the Tayrona people that is older than Machu Picchu! If you visit the city of Medellín, you’ll see how it transformed from a troubled past into one of the most innovative cities in the world, featuring outdoor escalators and cable cars that connect mountain neighborhoods.

From the salsa-filled streets of Cali to the colorful colonial houses of Cartagena, Colombia is a land of rhythm and magical realism. ¡Gracias! That means “Thank you!”