10 ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES OF COLOMBIA - CULTURE VOCABULARY - 2025

The main economic activities in Colombia are the oil industry, mining, tourism and agriculture, among others. Colombia is the fourth country in Latin America with the highest economic growth and the second in Central America. Oil constitutes the basis of the country's economy, covering 45% of total exports.

However, the Colombian State has diversified its economy over the years, so that it does not depend solely on the exploitation and export of oil. Over the past two decades, the automotive, mining, tourism, construction and shipbuilding industries have developed.

Sacks of coffee

In addition, this country is in third place for the production of household appliances in Latin America. On the other hand, tourism is a highly relevant economic activity and Colombia is one of the most desired destinations in Latin America.

You can also see the economic sectors of Colombia: primary, secondary and tertiary.

The 10 most important economic activities in Colombia

1- Oil

Colombia has been exporting oil since 1986, when oil wells were discovered in Cusiana and Cupiagua (located 2,000 km east of Bogotá). Crude oil production is 620,000 barrels per day, of which 184,000 are exported daily.

However, in terms of refineries, the country is not able to meet the population's demand, so refined petroleum products, such as gasoline, must be imported.

2- Agriculture and livestock

Agriculture and livestock make up the second most important economic activity in the country and constitute 21% of the country's total exports.

In recent years, agriculture and livestock have shown significant growth. With regard to agriculture, production has increased by more than 2.5 million tons, while meat production has increased by about 500,000 tons.

The most important crops are bananas, plantains, rice, cotton, tobacco, cocoa and sugar cane, which are produced in the hottest areas of the region (those that do not exceed 1000 meters above sea level).

In areas with not so warm climates, (between 1000 and 2000 meters above sea level), there is the production of corn, coffee, and fruits such as citrus, pears, pineapples and tomatoes. Finally, in the coldest areas (between 2000 and 3000 meters above sea level), wheat, barley, potatoes and flowers are produced.

3- sugar

Colombia has the highest productivity index in the world in terms of sugar; per year, 4.6 tons are produced per hectare.

In the same way, it is one of the most important nations in terms of refined sugar production, being the second country in Latin America for the export of this product and the seventh in the world.

4- Chocolate

Cocoa production in Colombia is one of the largest in Latin America; per year, 0.55 tons per hectare are produced.

According to the International Cocoa Organization, the taste and aroma of Colombian cocoa are "fine", a classification held by beans from only five countries in the world.

5- Coffee

Colombian coffee is considered by many to be one of the best in the world. The production of this crop occurs in the Coffee Region, also known as the Coffee Triangle.

6- Mining

The main mining resources of Colombia can be divided into two groups:

• Mainly destined for export: emeralds, platinum, silver and gold.

• Mainly destined for the domestic market of the country: cement, coal, clay, salt, sand, gravel and silica.

Most of the mining resources are found in the west and northwest of the country, in the Andean and coastal regions of Colombia.

7- Tourism

Colombia is one of the most visited countries in Latin America by tourists due to its historical and cultural heritage, its beautiful landscapes and its gastronomy. According to the World Tourism Organization, the growth of this economic activity was 7% in 2012.

Colombia has five geographic regions: the Andean region, the Caribbean region, the Pacific region, the Orinoquía region and the Amazon region, which gives the country a variety of landscapes that includes the imposing mountains of the Andes, the deserts of La Guajira and the beautiful beaches of the Caribbean and the Pacific.

Colombia has several cities that represent an attraction for visitors, such as Cartagena and its historic center, named cultural heritage by UNESCO.

Here is the Walled City, symbol of Cartagena and the Caribbean coast of Colombia. This city brings together historical elements, such as colonial walls, architecture and museums, and modern elements, such as restaurants and hotels, a mixture that makes the Walled City a unique place.

Similarly, in Colombia there are several natural parks, such as Tayrona Park, where you can enjoy magnificent beaches and the view of the Sierra Nevada mountains.

8- Automotive industry

Colombia is the fourth country in Latin America for automotive production and contributes 2.5% of world automotive production. The country's automotive industry includes the assembly of light vehicles, trucks, buses, and motorcycles and the manufacture of parts used in assembly and spare parts.

9- Appliances

Since the 20th century, Colombia has produced household appliances. However, it was not until the 1990s that the country began to export these products.

HACEB is one of the main Colombian industries in the production of refrigerators. Other industries in the country that produce appliances include Challenger and Kelley.

Similarly, Colombia manufactures devices for foreign companies, such as Whirlpool and GE.

10- Art and music

Colombia has shown interest in the "export" of the country's culture, through music, cinema, fashion, among others, as a means of diversifying the country's economy. Among the Spanish-speaking countries, Colombia ranks second for cultural exports.

References

1. Automotive Industry in Colombia (2012). Retrieved on March 17, 2017, from investincolombia.com.co.
2. Colombian Agribusiness Sector (2011). Retrieved on March 17, 2017, from investincolombia.com.co.
3. Singewald, Quentin. Mineral Resources of Colombia (other than Petroleum). Retrieved on March 17, 2017, from pubs.er.usgs.gov.
4. Wacaster, Susan (June, 2015). 2013 Mineral Yearbook: Colombia. Retrieved on March 17, 2017, from minerals.usgs.gov.
5. 5 Places You Should't Miss on the Colombian Caribbean Coast (2013). Retrieved on March 17, 2017, from uncovercolombia.com.
6. Medellin's Musical Exports. Retrieved on March 17, 2017, from
7. Haceb Whirpool Industrial SAS Company Profile. Retrieved on March 17, 2017, from emis.com.