Colombia - Travel Report

Colombia is a medium-income country in South America with a diverse economy. The capital is Bogota. The average GDP of Colombia is $262.5 billion (2003 est.). The primary products of Colombia are textiles, chemicals, metal products, cement, coffee, bananas, cotton, sugar cane, rice, tobacco, potatoes, and soybeans. The main markets for Colombian products are the United States, Germany, the Netherlands, and Japan. The predominant religion in Colombia is Roman Catholic, therefore a majority of the population celebrates traditional Roman Catholic holidays. Most major credit cards are accepted; however, it is advisable to consult with your financial institution in regard to acceptability. Travelers checks are not easy to exchange in smaller towns. To avoid additional fees travelers are encouraged to take travelers checks in U.S. Dollars. Colombia is an earthquake-prone country. General information about natural disaster preparedness is available via the Internet from the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) at http://www.fema.gov/.