Colombia is the northernmost country in South America. It is made up of mountains, forests, deserts, cities and islands
populated by equally diverse human communities. Its coasts touch both the Atlantic and the Pacific Oceans, the more
popular side being the Atlantic, better known as the Caribbean Sea.
Colombia’s cultural diversity began before the arrival of Christopher Columbus with multiple indigenous groups living in
different areas of the territory until the invasion of the Spaniards. The invaders subjugated the native cultures, enforcing
the Spanish language and Catholic religion.
As the native populations who resisted domination were being decimated, the conquerors kidnapped Africans and brought
them as slaves to perform the rigorous labor, mostly farming and mining. These Africans became the third main ingredient of
Colombia’s multiethnic mix.