Colombia-Before+Refugee+Crisis

=Life Before the Refugee Crisis=

A History of War
In 1810, Colombia declared its independence from Spain. Although it did not actually achieve independence until nine years later, in 1819. Only twenty-one years of relative peace went by until the first civil war broke out in 1840. Civil wars have broken out in the times in which there has been a liberal group in power. These liberal groups have tried to disestablish the Roman Catholic Church, which makes up 90% if the population. This attempt at disestablishing the church has led to groups of insurgents rebelling against the government. There have been at least ten different types of government. In 1889 another brutal civil war broke out this one lasted until 1902. This was referred to as the "War of a Thousand Days". There have been more civil wars but none as significant as the ones already mentioned. Until the conservatives got power the 1930's. In the 1970's the Marxist guerrilla groups started to form, which eventually led to the current civil war.

Culture of Colombia
This is Cartagena, a modern Colombian City

Colombia has a similar culture to Spain's. They have similar eating habits as well. Middle class Colombian families will eat elaborate foods, and they have three meals a day; Colombian families will eat a light breakfast, a heavy midday meal, and an evening dinner that would likely consist of fruits, homemade soups, and a fish or meat item accompanied by a rice or potato side. Lower class families would more likely eat more carbohydrates. A household is generally made up of a nuclear family. There isn't a lot of multiple generation households. Upper class families will have more children, and in all classes the father is the head of the house. Colombians who live in the interior of Colombia pride themselves on their manners. If you meet a stranger, it is expected that a formal greeting is given. However, salutations between people you already know are more relaxed. Personal space is a big issue in Colombia. It is a form of disrespect and aggression when you don't give another person at least an arm's length of space. If you crowd a person, this is considered a form of hostility and is not tolerated. The only exception to this is on buses and at bus stations. Health care has increased dramatically in the last thirty years. However, health care is only easily accessible to the upper and middle classes. In rural areas, it is hard to find food, shelter, and especially health care. Despite this fact, life expectancy and successful birth rates have risen.

**Back to Colombia Homepage**
"Culture of Colombia" Countries and their Cultures, 2007. http://www.everyculture.com/Bo-Co/Colombia.html "Colombia". World Fact Book, April 17, 2007. https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/print/co.html "Colombia" High Bean Research, 2005. http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0107419.html "Colombia sponsor tour" 2005 http://www.compassion.com/NR/rdonlyres/e4fnnitepieay4zssir4uxpebucb6lofgglsfxi5kwpy56q3k5xvrtgnsitquym6tsilyvufbgwcs4relnevibkz6jb/compassion-sponsor-a-child_CO_CartagenaCity-360.jpg