Colombia

Colombia is not THE most dangerous country in the world, but unfortunately it is well up there. Is it a fact? Yes, but a sad one. However, there is SO much more to Colombia than the stereotypes of cocaine and murder (I for one don't remember saying otherwise), and its many virtues far outweigh its few faults, which occur to a greater extent in Brazil, Venezuela, South Africa, etc.

First of all, Colombia is rich in mineral and agricultural resources: coffee, emeralds, flowers, etc. The quality of its coffee and emeralds is world-renowned and makes them very desirable.

Second, it is one of the most geographically varied nations in the world: it's the only country in South America (I'm not including Mexico or Central America) with an Atlantic AND a Pacific coastline, three ranges of the Andes run north-south through it (Bogotá is built on a plateau in the Andes), the Amazon jungle comprises much of the southeastern part of the country, and Cristobal Colon, South America's second-tallest mountain, is at its northern end.

Third, Colombians have a reputation in South America for being very cultured and sophisticated. Bogotá is one of Latin America's great cultural centers, and is renowned and beloved by travellers who have visited it (I'm not one of them...yet). And its murder rate, as mentioned before, is a LOT lower than my own country's capital, Washington DC; though both cities are getting better year by year.

So don't take offense if some people are a bit ignorant of the facts; you think it's easy for me living in New York and having to tolerate the outdated, uninformed, nasty crap I've heard about my city? Laugh, inform them that they're wrong, and move on to the next.

Viva Colombia.

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