Geographically, the Republic of Colombia begins at the top of South America, adjoining Panama. The Country also shares borders with Venezuela, Brazil, Peru and Ecuador, as well as having extensive coastlines on both the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean. Colombia has 493,393 square miles of area, which approximates the states of Texas and Oklahoma combined. The Oriental, Central and Occidental ranges of the massive Andes Mountains dominate the Western half of the Country. Colombia's population exceeds 42 million people, with most living in urban areas. Colombia is divided into 32 departments (states). The major cities are Santa Fe de Bogota, the Capital, with a population of 6.4 million people, Medellin with 2.1 million people, Cali with 1.9 million people and the Caribbean port cities of Barranquilla and Cartagena with 1.2 million and 0.9 million people, respectively.

Colombia was the leader in gold production in South America ranking 10th among the world's producers until the early-1980's. Gold production at present is over 750 thousand troy ounces per year, with Mineros de Antioquia producing over half of this amount. Approximately 67% of the Country's production came directly from alluvial gold deposits, primarily from the State of Antioquia along the Nechi' and Porce' Rivers.

Colombia's exports are dominated by petroleum, coal, coffee, flowers and other agricultural products. As well as being the world's leading producer of emeralds, half of which are sold to Japan, the Country also produces many metals and non-metallic minerals. Having a government that supports responsible exploration and exploitation, Colombia's vast natural resource reserves are waiting to be tapped.