About Colombia

Colombia is in the top Northwest corner of South America, above the Equator; which cause a tropical climate without seasons.  Colombia is the fourth largest country in South America. It is surrounded by both the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea.  Venezuela, Brazil, Peru, Ecuador and Panama are the neighbors of Colombia. The geography of Colombia is diverse; you will find  mountains, jungles , deserts, rivers and lakes.  There are many climates and a wide variety of plants and animals, which you will not find anywhere else in the world.

Colombian Flag

The flag of Colombia was adopted on November 26, 1861. It is a horizontal tricolor of yellow, blue and red. The yellow stripe takes up the top half of the flag and the blue and red take up a quarter of the space each. The yellow stripe symbolizes the rich resources of its ground, blue symbolizes the two oceans that surround its coasts, and red symbolizes the blood of the heroes who fight for independence from Spain.
 

Colombian Cuisine

There is a large variety of dishes that reflect the difference in regional climates. For example, in Bogota and the Andean region, "ajiaco" is the traditional dish. It is a type of soup made of chicken, yucca root and potatoes, flavored with a locally grown herb called "guasca". Traditionally, cream and capers are added just before eating. The soup is served with white rice, salads flavored with lemon, avocado, or plantain chips, sweet or salty.

Colombian Independence Day - July 20th

In Colombia, they celebrate their independence on July 20^th.  Schools, post offices, governmental agencies and such are closed for this special day, much like the 4^th of July in the US.  Children in schools all over the country observe this day before the actual holiday with dance and food celebrations.  Most importantly, Colombians honor their flag and national anthem and remember their history and struggle for freedom from Spanish rule. 

Slavery, monopoly of commerce, taxes and duties-among other things- gradually gave rise to opposition and dissent. One by One, Colombian towns declared their independence.  On July 20^th, 1810 the Creole rebellion broke out against the Spanish rule.   This important event was a highlight in the struggle for Colombia’s independence, which was accomplished nine years later.   The last and most decisive battle toke place in Boyacá on August 7, 1819.  Three days later Simón Bolivar arrived victoriously in Bogotá.  Colombia had won their independence! ¡Felicitaciones Colombianos! 

In a colonial house called the Casa del Florero, the Museum of Independence is on the corner of the Plaza de Bolivar.  The museum has memorabilia of documents, paintings, and personal objects that recall the important event of Colombia’s Independence. 

Simón Bolivar was born into a wealthy family in Caracas, Venezuela in 1783. His life was marked with death, as his parents died shortly after his birth and shortly after his marriage his wife died of yellow fever.  It was a combination of his education in Europe, his time in Spain, and his visit to the newly independent United States that contributed to his passionate belief in the freedom of South America.  Bolivar is credited for leading the fight for independence in 6 countries of Latin America: Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Panama and Bolivia.