Living in Colombia

Colombia lies in northwestern South America and borders the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean. Around 49.6 million people live there. Three Andean mountain ranges, tropical rainforests, vast plains, and coasts shape the country. The climate ranges from warm and humid on the coasts and in the lowlands to temperate in cities such as Bogotá and cool in higher mountain areas; sparsely populated forest regions can be found in the east and south. Many people live in cities, in densely built-up neighborhoods or suburbs, while smaller settlements and farms predominate in rural areas. Depending on the region, people commute to work by bus, motorcycle, car, or on foot. Families, markets, music, and football shape leisure time, taking different forms from region to region.