Colombia or also known as the Republic of Colombia is a country located in the Northwest of North America. Colombia corresponds to East Venezuela and Brazil, in the South of Ecuador and Peru, in the North Atlantic Ocean through the Caribbean Sea, in the North West with Panama and in the West with the Pacific Ocean. Colombia also shares maritime boundaries with Caribbean countries such as Jamaica, Haiti, the Dominican Republic and Central American countries such as Honduras, Nicaragua and Costa Rica.

Spain has entered Colombia's land for the first time in 1499 and in the first half of the 16th century which began the period of conquest and colonization. The New Granada Kingdom was created during that time and Santafe de Bogota became the capital of the New Granada Kingdom. Colombia gained independence from Spain in 1819. However, the Gran Colombia Federation was dissolved. Colombia and Panama joined to appear as the New Granada Republic. Subsequently, it was known as a country experimented with federalism known as the Granadine Confederation in 1858, then known as the United States of Colombia in 1863 before the use of the Republic of Colombia was used in 1886. Panama had exited from the Republic of Colombia in 1903. In 1960, Colombia had experienced a low-intensity armed conflict that developed in 1900. However, the conflict resolved in 2005 until now. Colombia is also a country of diverse ethnicity and language. It is also rich in cultural heritage. The city centre is mostly located on the Andes highlands.

This Colombian name comes from the last name of Christopher Columbus. It is characterized by the Venezuelan revolution, Francisco de Miranda as a reference to a new world especially in areas under Spanish rule from the Mississippi River to Patagonia. The name was then adapted from the Republic of Colombia in 1819. The Government of Colombia often used the term Colombia and Republica de Colombia to refer to the country.

To enter Colombia, you must apply for a visa unless you are from a country excluded from applying for a visa. For all travellers from various countries, to enter Colombia, you must have a valid passport of at least 6 months from your passport expiration date. For example, if you want to visit Colombia in April, your passport must be valid until September of that year. The Government of Colombia recommends that you make a copy of your passport. Keep your original passport in the hotel's safety deposit box and bring a copy of your passport when you walk or touring in Colombia.

Spanish is the main language in Colombia. More than 99.2% of Colombians communicate in Spanish. Apart from Spanish, there are 65 Amerindian languages, 2 Creole languages ​​and Romani languages ​​are used in this country. English is the official language of San Andres, Providencia and the Santa Catalina Islands. The majority of the Colombian is speaking in Spanish. However, there are 101 languages ​​listed in the language database in Colombia. It is estimated that 71 languages ​​are used for communication in this country mostly used by Chibchan, Tucanoan, Bora-Witoto, Guajiboan, Arawakan, Cariban, Barbacoan and Saliban families. Currently, there are about 850,000 native speakers. There are 65 natives currently in existence that are recombined into 12 family languages ​​and 10 unclassified languages.

The following languages ​​are the Chibchan family languages ​​derived from Central America and South American big families such as Arawakan, Cariban, Quechuan and Tupian. Additionally, seven family languages ​​at the regional level such as Choco, Guahibo, Saliba, Macu, Witoto, Bora and Tucano. Meanwhile, 10 isolated languages ​​are like Andoque, Awa-cuaiquer, Cofan, Guambiano, Kamentsa, Paez, Ticuna, Tinigua, Yagua and Yaruro. There are also two Creole languages ​​used for communication in Colombia. The first Creole language is San Andres Creole used in English in the San Andres, Providencia and Catalina regions. The second Creole language is called Palenquero. The existence of this Palenquero language starts with some of the slaves in ancient time who fled to the rural area and created their own city. They practice and develop their own Creole language.

Colombia has a diverse climate as it has tropical rainforests, savannah, meadows, deserts and mountains. It is divided into the hot soil, medium soil and cold soil. The weather in Colombia is sometimes changing according to the season in the Northern hemisphere. For example, from March to June is spring, while from June to August is summer. September to December is autumn and December to March is winter.

Colombia has variations in terms of culinary. The range of foods available in Colombia is from a meat soup to cheese corn. Among the famous foods in Colombia is called arepas. Arepas is a favourite food for Colombians. The arepas are corn-based cakes. Changua is also famous in Colombia. It is a soup made with milk, boiled eggs and onions. This meal is ideal for those who are vegetarians. In addition, aguapanela and quesco fresco are also famous in Colombia. It is a classic food in Colombia. It is a combination of sweet drinks from fresh cane and white cheese.

How to Get There?

By Flight

There are many airports in Colombia. The busiest and most visited airport is the El Dorado International Airport located in Bogota and the Jose Maria Cordova International Airport located in Medellin. To get to the two places mentioned above, you can choose the following flight:

• Bogota - El Dorado International Airport

A range of airlines providing flights to Bogota if you are coming from Kuala Lumpur such as KLM, British Airways and China Southern Airlines. However, there is no direct flight from Kuala Lumpur to El Dorado International Airport. The fastest and least transit flights required are KLM. You only have to transit at Schiphol International Airport if you are coming from Kuala Lumpur before making a flight to Bogota. Prices of flight tickets from Kuala Lumpur to Bogota start from MYR5,000 and above.

• Medellin - Jose Maria Cordova International Airport

To get to Medellin from Kuala Lumpur. You can choose flights like Singapore Airlines, Malaysia Airlines and United Airlines. However, no direct flights are offered by any airline. You need to transit at another airport at least 2 times. Prices of flight tickets from Kuala Lumpur to Medellin are from MYR4,500 depending on the date and time of the flight you selected.

What to do There?

Bogota

Gold Museum

This Gold Museum is located in Bogota, Colombia. It is one of the most visited museums in the country. The museum receives 500,000 visitors a year. The museum exhibits gold in the days before the formation of Colombia and also ceramics. At the Gold Museum, there is also a cafe.

Bolivar Plaza

This Bolivar Plaza is located in the heart of Bogota, Colombia. This square was also known as the Mayor Plaza in 1821. The square is located in the historic area of ​​Colombia. The square is very big and has many historical architectures like church and many more.

Colombian National Museum

The National Museum of Colombia is a museum that collects history, art and culture in Colombia. It is the largest and oldest museum in Colombia. The museum features more than 20,000 artefacts dating from the 16th century to the present. Shops and restaurants are also available at this Museum.

Salitre Magico

Salitre Magico is a theme park located in Bogota in the Parque el Salitre district. It has many exciting attractions such as roller coasters, bumper cars and a unique attraction called Castillo del Terror. You will definitely want to visit here while you are in the city of Bogota. You can enjoy the time and have fun with your family or loved ones.

Medellin

Botanical Garden of Medellin

The Medellin Botanical Garden is also known as the Joaquin Antonia Uribe Botanical Garden. The Botanical Garden is 14 hectares. The Botanical Garden also has more than 1,000 species of living things and 4,500 flowers. In addition to your holiday, you can also learn new things when visiting this Botanical Garden.

Aeroparque Juan Pablo II

It is the largest water theme park in Medellin. You will definitely want to visit here for a bath and cool your body after tiring sightseeing in the Medellin town.

Where to Stay?

Hilton Bogota

This Hilton Bogota is just a 12-minute walk to Calle 72 Metro Station. It makes it easier for you to move from one place to another by using public transport. The hotel is very close to shopping centres as well as the business centre. The hotel provides a variety of amenities for its guests to ensure the comfort of their guests during their stay at this Hilton Bogota.

Hotel Dann Carlton Medellin

This 5-star hotel has a high rise structure. The hotel has a beautiful garden. The hotel is just 3 km from the Modern Art Museum in Medellin. The hotel also has a swimming pool for their guests' use. In addition, the hotel also provides a variety of excellent facilities. You will feel very comfortable and feel at home if you are staying at Hotel Dann Carlton Medellin.

W Bogota

Hotel W Bogota is located in the city of Bogota. The hotel is situated right in the commercial district of Bogota. This modern hotel is just 2 km from the Unicentro shopping centre. The hotel is just 13 km from the GoldMuseum.