Officially deemed as the Republic of Colombia, but most commonly referred to as Colombia, this nation is probably best known worldwide for exporting a wonderful variety of coffee beans - the pride and joy of Juan Valdez! However, Colombia has much more to offer than just a good cup of joe. Sharing boarders with both the Caribbean Sea to the Atlantic Ocean on the eastern side, and the Pacific Ocean to the west, Colombia offers a vast coastline of magnificent sunsets and coveted beachfront property. From the low-lying coasts and smaller mountains of the Serranía de Baudó, to the rolling hills, Amazon jungle and higher peaks of the Andes Mountain range, Colombia offers a plethora of landscape diversity.

Colombia shares it's borders with a significant number of countries and bodies of water. Located in the northwestern region of South America, Colombia is bordered by the Pacific Ocean to the west, Panama to the northwest and the Caribbean Sea leading out into the Atlantic Ocean to the north. East of Colombia lies Venezuela and Brazil, with Ecuador and Peru to the south. Even with so many mainland borders, about 1/4th of Colombia's landmass - the 26th largest country in the world, 4th largest in South America - is coastal.

The name, Colombia, was derived from the famous explorer, Christopher Columbus. Revolutionary Francisco de Miranda came up with the name to provide a reference to the New World, especially those American colonies that were under the rule of Spain and Portugal. In 1819, Republic of Colombia was the adopted name for the territories of Venezuela, Ecuador and New Granada. Venezuela and Ecuador separated from the Republic of Colombia, leaving the Cundinamarca region as the Republic of New Granada in 1830. This territory was renamed in 1869 as the United States of Colombia, then in 1886 named again to its present label, the Republic of Colombia.

A part of the Pacific Ring of Fire, an area known for volcanic eruptions and earthquakes, Colombia's landscape is one of the most complex in all of South America. Starting on the west coast of the Pacific Ocean, Colombia offers discontinuous, narrow coastline, quickly rising into one of Colombia's lowest and most narrow mountain ranges, the Serranía de Baudó.

The Cordillera Occidental mountain range is also found near western coast, ranging much higher in altitude, as high as 13,000 ft (4,000 miles) above sea level at its peaks. East of this mountain range is the Cordillera Central mountain range, rising as high as 18,000 ft. Separating the two mountain ranges is the Cauca River Valley, home to several large cities due to its abundant agricultural qualities.

Eastward lies the lowland plains of the Llanos orientales, with sparsely populated rolling hills and flatlands. A part of the Orinoco River Basin, this runs directly into the Amazonian jungle region of Colombia, covering approximately 60% of the entire nation's landmass.

Colombia's climate is almost as diverse as the landscape, affected by a range of aspects - elevation, trade winds, precipitation - but mostly attributed to its location upon the equator, creating both tropical and isothermal climates. In low-lying areas, warm tropical weather is common year around, becoming more arid the further north one travels across Colombia. At higher elevation are consistently snow peaked mountain. For every 1,000 feet (about 300 miles) above sea level, the temperature drops and average of 3.5°F, or 2°C. Precipitation varies greatly by location as well. Northern area of Colombia generally receive less than 30 inches of rain in a single year, while the southeastern regions often see more than 200 inches of rainfall annually.

The economy in Colombia is quite strong, derived from not only a high rate of literacy in their population, but also a wealth of natural resources. Unlike many Latin American nations, Colombia's currency has a relatively high value. In 1999, Colombia experienced its first recession since 1929, which resulted in a long, tedious recovery. The economy has been on the rise in the early 2000's, with 2006 predictions revealing an estimated GDP of US$156.69 billion. Among the leading revenue sources of Colombia are manufactured goods, petroleum and coffee. Though unofficially documented (for obvious reasons), illegal drugs are also considered to be a major export of Colombia. As a side note - a little known fact - Colombia is the world's leading producer of pop-up books.

Though perhaps not the first South American country to come to mind when contemplating a Latin American vacation, Colombia's tourism industry is quite strong, developed in the 1940's and growing steadily ever since. One of the most popular tourist destinations is Bogotá, the capital city of Colombia with a rich history and reputed as the third highest elevated city in the world. Santiago de Cali, commonly known as just Cali, receives its fair share of tourism, especially in July with the feast day celebration honoring Saint James on the 25th. Cartagena, with rich coastline of the Caribbean Sea to the west and Cartagena Bay to the south, is a very popular destination for those seeking a warm, tropical vacation.

Other popular destinations with variable tourist attractions include Barranquilla, Medellin, San Andres Island, and Santa Marta.

Vacationing In Colombia

The rich cultural heritage, diverse landscape and variable climates of Colombia conjoin to offer a bountiful vacation to all individuals, no matter their preference. Whether hiking in the peaks of Colombia's vast mountain ranges, surfing the beaches of the nation's expansive coastline or studying the historical aspects of this unique country, a Colombia vacation offers all the pleasures and activities one could possibly desire.

For those interested in planning a Colombia vacation, you will find Colombia.Rica24 is the perfect starting point. We provide in-depth resources regarding every aspect of a Colombia vacation. From travel agencies, accommodations, dining and tourist attractions to public and private transportation - anything you may need to know before and during your stay in the phenomenally diverse regions of Colombia can be found right here.

Moving to Colombia

Colombia offers the luxury and magnificence of vast coastal real estate. Those who prefer a more private dwelling may find themselves smitten with the sparsely populated plains east of the Andes Mountains. For amazing scenery with a cooler climate, a home in the Cauca River Valley, nestled between the mountain ranges of Cordillera Occidental on the west and Cordillera Central to the east, may be just the spot.

Colombia.Rica24 provides Colombia Real Estate listings, along with a complete Guide to Purchasing Real Estate in Colombia, which includes in-depth descriptions of property rights and type, purchasing procedures and methods, taxes and fees and most importantly, how to protect your investment. You'll also find detailed materials describing how to buy a car, how to obtain a driver's license, a temporary or permanent residency visa, educational and employment opportunities - virtually everything you could possibly need to know before moving to Colombia.

At Colombia.Rica24, our number-one goal is to shepherd you towards, and assist in the completion, of a spectacular vacation or successful real estate acquisition in Colombia. With a little help and expertise from Rica24, you can make your dreams a reality, whether they be investing your way to a wealthy future, or retiring in the beautifully diverse landscapes of Colombia.