Colombia’s Ethnic Groups

Colombia’s predominant racial strain is the mestizo, which means mixed white and Amerindian. They constitute approximately 58% of the total population of Colombia.

Around 20% of Colombia’s inhabitants are of unmixed white ancestry.

14% of the population are Mulatto (black – white).

4% of the population are black.

3% of the population are Zambo (Black-Amerindian), and

1% are pure Amerindian.

Mulattos and Blacks are generally concentrated in the tropical valleys and coastal regions. Unfortunately, the pure Amerindian race is rapidly disappearing, with the remaining few living mostly in barren and inaccessible regions. During the pre-Columbian period, the main Amerindian culture of Colombia was that of the Chibcha, with their descendants now mainly concentrated in the Cundinamarca, Santander, Boyacá, and Norte de Santander regions. One of the few surviving Amerindian groups in Colombia are known as the Motilones: these people have been untouched by South American civilization and inhabit the region west of the Venezuelan border and Lake Maracaibo. The Motilones are famous for their lethal weapon, which is a black palm bow and arrow. There are also other small diverse Amerindian groups which inhabit the western coastal jungles, the South, and the eastern extremities of the Colombian plains region.

Colombia’s Local Government

Colombia is divided into 32 States and the Bagotá Federal District – States are also referred to as Departments. These dates are further subdivided into 1,011 municipalities.

Education in Colombia

Colombia’s constitution states that public education must not conflict with the doctrines of the Roman Catholic Church. The Church is in virtual control of Colombia’s public schools, and the curriculum includes compulsory study in the Roman Catholic religion. On the other hand, private schools have freedom of instruction and there are a number of Protestant schools in Bolivia –most of these schools are in Bogotá. In addition to university education, the national government also supports secondary education, whilst maintaining a number of primary schools throughout Colombia.

Colombia ranks as the second most biodiverse country in the world and is therefore classed as being a ‘mega-diverse’ country. Interestingly, by area, it has the largest amount of species in the world; including the most amphibian species, orchid species, endemic species of butterflies, and more species of birds than all of North America and Europe combined.

Fascinating Facts About Columbia

The Colombia of today was originally inhabited by indigenous tribes known as Tairona, Muisca, and Quimbaya. Then the Spanish arrived in 1499, making the area a Spanish colony known as New Granada.

The Colombian peso is the currency used in Colombia;

Coffee from Colombia is world-famous. Colombia is also the world’s leading source of emeralds;

Colombia has an exciting music atmosphere, with two of their most well-known musicians being Shakira and Juanes;

Right throughout Colombia you’ll see stands selling fruit and juices, particularly on the Caribbean coast;

Colombia’s traditional national sport is called Tejo; it’s a team sport which involves hurling projectiles at a target;

However, Colombia’s most popular sport by far is soccer. Other popular sports in Colombia include weightlifting, roller-skating, boxing, baseball, cycling and motorsport.

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