FACTS
Location: Northern South America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Panama and Venezuela, and bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between Ecuador and Panama
Area (only Total) total: 1,138,910 sq km Climate: tropical along coast and eastern plains; cooler in highlands Terrain: flat coastal lowlands, central highlands, high Andes Mountains, eastern lowland plains Population: 45,013,674 (July 2008 est.) Main Language (only first): Spanish Government type: republic; executive branch dominates government structure Capital (Name): Bogota Capital (Time Difference): UTC-5 Independence: 20 July 1810 (from Spain) National holiday: Independence Day, 20 July (1810) HOLIDAYS January 1 New Year's Day January 8 Epiphany* March 20 Holy Thursday March 21 Good Friday March 23 Easter May 1 Labour Day May 21 Ascension* (official) June 11 Corpus Christi* June 18 Sacred Heart Day June 2 St Peter & St Paul* July 20 Independence Day August 7 Battle of Boyacá August 20 Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary November 5 All Saints* November 11 Independence of Cartagena* December 8 Immaculate Conception December 25 Christmas Day * If these feasts do not fall on a Monday, then they are observed on the following Monday Weekend Saturday, Sunday
