Colombian Culture

Colombian culture is very similar to a lot of other Latin American countries, with a few special elements that make it unique. Looking at Colombian history, for example, the Spanish colonial era has left a lasting influence throughout the country, with a high rate of Roman Catholics in Colombian society. The Spanish decimated the indigenous population here, yet many elements live on in Colombian customs, music, and language.

The geographical makeup of Colombia, with its treacherousness of the terrain and sheer variety of climates, made communication and travel very difficult and therefore helped foster regionalism. Football, however, is a uniting factor in Colombian society, despite the large rift between economic classes. Long ago in Colombian history, carnivals became an opportunity for the whole population to congregate and enjoy La Fiesta, which is an important aspect of Colombian culture.

Music is a very important part of Colombian culture, with Cumbia and Vallenato enjoyed country-wide. Shakira is famously from this Latin American country, as is Nobel Prize winner Gabriel Garcia Marquez, a famous figure in Colombian literature. Colombian art is often synonymous with Fernando Botero.