colombia

By: john

It is hard to try and sum up Colombia in just a few sentences as it one of the most diverse countries on the planet. Colombia is steeped in history dating back over 2000 years when it was populated by hunter gatherers and shortly after by civilizations such as the Muisca and Tayrona. Spanish ships first arrived in Colombia in 1499 and began their process of conquest and colonization. After this period Colombia became the first country in South America to win its Independence from Spanish rule under the armies of Simon Bolivar. If it is beautiful landscapes that you are looking for then you will find desert, jungle, mountain and coastal regions giving you as much diversity as any other country on earth. Just take a look at the photographs in the Destinations section of this site to see how stunning Colombia really is. Then you have its people, many who have suffered in the past due to varying political situations but who are now once again living life to the full in a safe and happy environment. In the recent Happy Planet Index survey, Colombia is ranked number 2 and there are countless reasons why the Colombian people have lots to be cheerful about. It is true that in the past Colombia has suffered at the hands of terrorist organizations and drug barons but that is the history of Colombia and its people are focused on the future. The current government under President Alvaro Uribe has done its utmost to secure safety for the Colombian people and visitors alike, this is something that is in place for years and years to come under various initiatives including one called Democratic Security.

It is a fact that tourism is on the increase in Colombia as the political situation has changed. In 2006 alone, Colombia had 1,500,000 tourists visit the country, an increase of 50% from the previous year, only Peru experienced a bigger increase during the same period. Also, the famed Guidebook series Lonely Planet recently listed Colombia number 8 in its top 10 destinations in the World, there is a reason for this everybody.
Whether you are an experienced traveller looking for a new destination or someone out on a first time adventure, the beauty, diversity, culture, accessibility and friendliness of Colombia will leave you with outstanding memories for years to come.

Come and experience this amazing country and discover South America's best kept secret with a company that cares about you.

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