In the early 19th century "the Liberator" Simón Bolívar created a yellow-blue-red flag for New Granada (which included Colombia, Venezuela, Panama, and Ecuador). In 1819 Colombia adopted the horizontal tricolor as its flag, and in subsequent years it underwent slight alterations. The present Colombian flag was established on Dec. 10, 1861, when the government reverted to the original design.

Colombia Official name: República de Colombia (Republic of Colombia). Form of government: unitary, multiparty republic with two legislative houses (Senate [102]; House of Representatives [161]). Head of state and government: President. Population (1998): 37,685,000. Population projection: (2000) 38,905,000; (2010) 44,771,000. Natural increase rate per 1,000 population (1996): 20.0 (world avg. 15.7). Gross national product (1996): U.S.$80,174,000,000 (U.S.$2,140 per capita). Land use (1994): forest 22.0%; pasture 18.2%; agriculture 5.7%; other 54.1%.

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