What is Colombia?:
Colombia, officially the Republic of Colombia (Spanish: República de Colombia), is a unitary constitutional republic comprising thirty-two departments. The country is situated mostly in the Northern Hemisphere where its thirty-one contiguous departments and Bogotá, D.C., the capital district; bordered by Venezuela at east and Brazil; to the south by Ecuador and Peru; to the north by the Caribbean Sea; to the northwest by Panama; and to the west by the Pacific Ocean. Colombia also shares maritime borders with Venezuela, Jamaica, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Honduras, Nicaragua and Costa Rica. Colombia is the only South American country with coasts on the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea, where it has several islands and the archipelago of San Andres and Providencia. Is recognized worldwide for the production of palm oil, mild coffee, flowers, emeralds, coal, oil and its cultural diversity. As of 2011 Colombia remains the 'world's largest cocaine producer' although production has fallen in recent times due to reform efforts, the estate tax and Plan Colombia led by the United States, the landscape has changed significantly. Since 1964 government forces, left-wing insurgents and right-wing paramilitaries have been engaged in the continent's longest-running armed conflict.
Natural Resources:
Colombia is known to possess a rich store of natural resources ranging from minerals to energy resources, agricultural products to fuels. Colombia natural resources are mainly centered around the Llanos Basin, situated in the foothills of Eastern Cordilla.
Colombia accounts for a large output of minerals and fuel oil. Talking about the natural resources at Colombia, it can be said that Colombia has the highest reserve of coal in Latin America. Colombia ranks first in its store of coal. The total output of coal obtained from Colombia is 7.4 metric tonnes.
Besides, Colombia ranks fourth for natural gas and sixth for oil in Latin America. Colombia contains about 114.4 billion cubic meters of natural gas.
Furthermore, it is estimated that the territory contains about 1.4 billion barrels of oil that would at least prevent Colombia from being a net oil importer. Colombia has enough store of oil that would last till 2010-2011.
In terms of energy, Colombia is the second producer of hydro-electricity. Brazil is known to occupy the first position in hydro-electrical potential. Colombia has a rich reserve of natural gas along the Caribbean Coast. Colombia is estimated to possess a vast reserve of natural gas in the Caribbean Coast to last at least for the next 150 or 200 years. The Llanos basin, posited in the foothills of Eastern Cordilla, possesses the largest store of natural gas in Colombia.
Thus, it is evident that the natural resources of Colombia presents a wide variety. It can be said in this context that Colombia natural resources play a great role in the socio-economic development of Colombia.
Read More about Colombia and its story: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colombia
