Colombia, officially Republic of Colombia, republic in north-western South America, bordered on the north by Panama and the Caribbean Sea, on the east by Venezuela and Brazil, on the south by Peru and Ecuador, and on the west by the Pacific Ocean. Colombia is the only South American country with coasts on both the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean. The total land area is 1,141,748 sq km (440,831 sq mi). The capital and largest city is Bogotá.

Population
	35,652,000
	(1996 estimate)
Population Density
	31 people/sq km
	(80 people/sq mi)
	(1996 estimate)
Urban/Rural Breakdown
	70% Urban
	30% Rural
Largest Cities
	Bogotá 5,237,635
	Cali   1,718,871
	Medellín 1,621,356
	Barranquilla 1,064,255
	(1995 estimates)
Ethnic Groups
	58% Mestizo
	20% White
	14% Mulatto
 	8%  Other
	including blacks, Native Americans, and people of mixed race
Languages
Official Language
	Spanish
Other Languages
	Native American languages
Religions
	95% Roman Catholicism
	5% Other
	including Protestantism and Judaism