Who do you think of first, when thinking of Colombia? If you found this blog through a book-related search, you're probably going to say "Gabriel García Márquez". If that was not your first thought, then it was probably "Pablo Emilio Escobar". But Colombia is so much more!
Geological facts
Name: Republic of Colombia
Capital: Bogotá
Government: Unitary presidential constitutional republic
Language: Spanish
Area: 1,141,748 km2 (440,831 sq mi) (25th)
Population: 50,372,424
Currency: Colombian peso (COP)
With a population of over 50 milion, Colombia is one of the most ethnically and linguistically diverse countries in the world. It has the second-highest level of biodiversity, with Amazon rainforest, highlands, grasslands, and deserts.
Colombia is part of The Ring of Fire, a region around much of the rim of the Pacific Ocean where many volcanic eruptions and earthquakes occur. 75% of the earth’s volcanoes are located along the Ring of Fire. 90% of the earthquakes occur along its path.
Like I said in the beginning, there are two famous men who come to mind when Colombia is referenced. The first is Gabriel García Márquez. He was a Colombian novelist, short-story writer, screenwriter, and journalist, known affectionately as Gabo. He pursued a self-directed education that resulted in leaving law school for a career in journalism. From early on he showed no inhibitions in his criticism of Colombian and foreign politics. In 1958 he married Mercedes Barcha. He started as a journalist and wrote many acclaimed non-fiction works and short stories, but is best known for his novels, such as One Hundred Years of Solitude (1967), Chronicle of a Death Foretold (1981), and Love in the Time of Cholera (1985). He received the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1982.
The second is Pablo Emilio Escobar Gaviria, who was a Colombian drug lord and narcoterrorist. He was the founder and sole leader of the Medellín Cartel. Dubbed "The King of Cocaine," Escobar is the wealthiest criminal in history, having amassed an estimated net worth of US$30 billion by the time of his death—equivalent to $59 billion as of 2019—while his drug cartel monopolized the cocaine trade into the United States in the 1980s and early 1990s.
Of course let's not forget a third viable option: Shakira. She is a famous singer, songwriter, dancer, businesswoman, and philanthropist. She was born and raised in Barranquilla - a city located on the northern Caribbean coast of Colombia.
Fun facts
The name of Colombia is derived from the last name of explorer Christopher Columbus. The country’s name is pronounced Col-o-mbia, not Col-u-mbia, which is a common mistake by non-Spanish speaking visitors.
It is mandatory (by law) for radio and public television in Colombia to play the national anthem every day at 6 am and 6 pm.
Colombia is the world’s leading source of emeralds. It is also the third largest exporter of coffee in the world after Brazil and Vietnam.
The ultimate hot drink for breakfast is “Chocolate con queso”: hot chocolate with cheese. The locals melt savory cheese in a pot of hot chocolate and drink it.
Colombia is home to pink dolphins. Yes, pink! The Amazon River dolphin is one of the unique animals that can be spotted in the country.
Shakira is a famous singer, songwriter, dancer, businesswoman, and philanthropist. She was born and raised in Barranquilla - a city located on the northern Caribbean coast of Colombia.
There are so many different edible native species of fruit, that Colombians could eat a different fruit every day for more than a year.
And finally, as I am from The Netherlands myself: Colombia’s capital city, Bogota, has one of the biggest cycle path networks in the world. It is by far the most bike-friendly city in South America. Also, Colombia is the second largest fresh cut flower exporter in the world after the Netherlands.
The book I read
The Robber of Memories: A River Journey Through Colombia by Michael Jabobs
Synopsis: Running through the heart of Colombia is a river emblematic of the fascination and tragedy of South America, the Magdalena. In 2011, Michael Jacobs travelled its whole length to the river's source high up in Andean moorlands controlled by guerrillas. In spellbinding prose, he charts the dangers he negotiated - including a terrifying three day encounter with the FARC - while uncovering the river's history of pioneering explorations, environmental decline and political violence. As Jacobs delves into the history of destruction and decay along the river, he also makes a deeply personal exploration into memory and its loss. Jacobs reflects on the lives of his father, and his mother - sufferers respectively from Alzheimer's and dementia - as he travels upstream towards what comes to seem like a heartland of mystery, magic and darkness.
What struck me most about this book, was the fear that you feel troughout the story. Not just from the 'gringo' traveling outside of the usual tourist spots, but from the locals as well. Even though the situation has improved, it is sad that so many people are, and will be for a long time, so affected by the violant history of their country. Luckily, much beauty and friendliness is to be found here too.
About the author
Michael Jacobs (1952-2014) was a writer of Irish/Italian ancestry, born in Genoa, with particular interest in travel, the history of art, Spain, Latin America and gastronomy. His most successful popular work in both English and Spanish has been The Factory of Light: Tales from my Andalucian Village, a true story but with a flavour of the magical realism of Gabriel García Márquez. Jacobs' writing initially specialised in introducing Fine Art to the general reader. He continued with these works but latterly produced books which capture the day-to-day life especially of Latin countries and relate that to an historical and political context.
Other book recommendations for Colombia
On this website, we add new books from countries all over the world every week. Check out which (other) books are featured for Colombia here.
Souvenir
I thought it was just me who is in doubt every time I had to spell Colombia...turns out, I'm not. There's even a mug! I think it has to do with fun fact no. 1 mentioned above.
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