República de Colombia

Political Status: Independent Gran Colombia proclaimed 1819; separate state of New Granada established 1831; republican constitution adopted 1886; bipartisan National Front regime instituted in 1958 but substantially terminated in 1974; current constitution promulgated July 5, 1991.

Area: 439,734 sq. mi. (1,138,914 sq. km).

Population: 48,091,039 (2012E—UN); 45,239,079 (2012E—U.S. Census).

Major Urban Centers (urban areas, 2005E): SANTAFÉ DE BOGOTÁ (formerly Bogotá, 8,350,000), Medellín (3,450,000), Cali (2,700,000), Barranquilla (1,925,000), Cartagena (1,075,000).

Official Language: Spanish.

Monetary Unit: Peso (principal rate November 5, 2012: 1826.48 pesos = $1US).

President: Juan Manuel SANTOS Calderón (Social Party of National Unity); elected in runoff balloting on June 20, 2010, and inaugurated on August 7 for a four-year term, succeeding Álvaro URIBE Vélez (independent).

Vice President: Angelino GARZÓN (Social Party of National Unity); elected in runoff ...