Made up of 46,300,196 inhabitants, the Colombia's population is the second largest of South America, second only to Brazil, which has about 190.7 million inhabitants. Demographic density, also known as relative population, is 40.6 inhabitants per square kilometer; the annual growth rate is 1.4%.
The region that currently corresponds to Colombian territory was inhabited by Caribbean Indians, Chibchas, Muiscas and Quimbayas. However, at the end of the 15th century, the Spaniards occupied the area and, during the 16th century, there was a large flow of Africans to carry out slave labor.
Over the years, there was miscegenation between these peoples of different ethnic origins. The current composition of the Colombian population is as follows: Euramerindians (58%), Iberian Europeans (20%), Eurafricans (14%), African Americans (4%), Amerindians (1%), others (3%).
The majority of Colombians reside in urban areas: 75%. Bogotá, the national capital, is the most populous city, with approximately 6.3 million inhabitants. Other cities with high population concentration are: Cali (2,077,386), Medellín (1,861,265), Barranquilla (1,223,260) and Cartagena (805,757).
According to a report released in 2010 by the United Nations (UN), Colombia has a high Human Development Index (HDI), with an average of 0.689, occupying the 79th place in the world ranking, comprising 169 countries. The country has managed to reduce the infant mortality rate, which currently stands at 18 per thousand live births.
Colombian population data:
Population: 46,300,196 inhabitants.
Demographic density: 40.6 741 inhab./km².
Demographic growth: 1.4% per year.
Urban population: 75%.
Rural population: 25%.
Spanish language.
Religions: Christianity 95.7% (Catholics 90.1%, Protestants 3.1%, others 2.5%), agnosticism and atheism 2.4%, others 1.9%.
Human Development Index (HDI): 0.689 (high).
Life expectancy at birth: 73.4 years.
Infant mortality rate: 18 deaths per thousand live births.
Income per capita: 5,031 dollars.
By Wagner de Cerqueira and Francisco
Graduated in Geography
Brazil School Team
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