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| People |
Population :
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43,593,035 (July 2006 est.) |
| Languages : |
Spanish |
| Age Structure: |
0-14
years: 30.3%
15-64 years: 64.5%
65 years and over: 5.2% |
| Economy |
Currency :
|
Colombian
peso (COP) - 2,320.75 to $1US (2005) |
| Industries : |
textiles, food processing, oil, clothing and footwear, beverages, chemicals, cement; gold, coal, emeralds |
| Below Poverty : |
49.2%
(2005) |
| Government |
Capital :
|
Bogota |
| Type of Gov’t : |
republic; executive branch dominates government structure |
| President : |
Alvaro
Uribe Velez
(since 7 August 2002) |
| Independence : |
20 July 1810 (from Spain) |
| Geography |
Climate :
|
tropical along coast and eastern plains; cooler in highlands |
| Terrain : |
flat coastal lowlands, central highlands, high Andes Mountains, eastern lowland plains |
| Nat. Resources : |
petroleum, natural gas, coal, iron ore, nickel, gold, copper, emeralds, hydropower |
| Background |
| |
Colombia was one of the three countries that emerged
from the collapse of Gran Colombia in 1830 (the
others are Ecuador and Venezuela). A 40-year conflict
between government forces and anti-government insurgent
groups and illegal paramilitary groups - both heavily
funded by the drug trade - escalated during the
1990s. The insurgents lack the military or popular
support necessary to overthrow the government and
violence has been decreasing since about 2002, but
insurgents continue attacks against civilians and
large swaths of the countryside are under guerrilla
influence. Paramilitary groups challenge the insurgents
for control of territory and the drug trade. Most
paramilitary members have demobilized since 2002
in an ongoing peace process, although their commitment
to ceasing illicit activity is unclear. The Colombian
Government has stepped up efforts to reassert government
control throughout the country, and now has a presence
in every one of its municipalities. However, neighboring
countries worry about the violence spilling over
their borders. |
| Further Information |
| These facts have come from The World Factbook online. For more information on Colombia, visit them here |
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Opportunities to Serve in Colombia
Three weeks in Colombia
A Heart Renewed in Colombia
Weep with Those Who Weep
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One short-term missionary relates how the Lord used
students in Santa Marta to renew her heart and mind
(continue)... |
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Colombia, Work begun: 1934
SAM - Colombia's
objective is to build into Colombian leaders a vision
for a strong, self-supporting and missions-oriented
church. South America Mission's work is focusing
on the North Coast Region. This includes urban areas
such as Santa Marta and Barranquilla, as well as the
rural areas of the Guajira Peninsula.
The church
association is comprised of 18 churches with approximately
1,200 members.
Ministries
in the Guajira region reach the widely scattered Wayuu
Indians.
Present Ministry Needs:
Youth Ministry, University Ministry, ESL Teacher, Special
Education Teacher, Church Development, Leadership Training,
Radio
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