Colombia Facts

Interesting Facts for Kids

Here are some interesting Colombia Facts which were chosen and researched by kids especially for kids.

• Population: More than 51 million people live in Colombia (2022)
• Capital: Bogotá with 11 million inhabitants is the country’s largest city 
• Name: Republica de Colombia or Republic of Colombia. 
• Government: Presidential Republic
• Language: Spanish
• Literacy: More than 94% of the people can read and write.
• Religion: mainly Christians (Roman Catholics 79%, Protestants 14%)
• Currency: 1 Peso = 100 centavos 
• National Symbols: Orchid (national flower), Andean condor (national bird) wax palm tree (national tree)
• Motto: “Libertad y Orden” which means “Freedom and Order”
• National Day: 20 July (Independence Day)

• History: The country was inhabited by mainly semi-nomadic tribes before the arrival of the Spanish colonialists. Colombia is named after explorer Christopher Columbus. However, the land was also referred to as New Grenada from 1499. Colombia gained independence from Spain on 20 July 1810. Slavery was abolished in Colombia in 1849. Finally in 1886 the Republic of Colombia was proclaimed.