Colombia Colombia's population, estimated at 37 million, occupies an area of just over 1 million square kilometers. About one-quarter of the population lives in rural areas.
Natural resources are plentiful.
Mountainous terrain, however, makes internal transportation costly and slows physical and social integration. Rich physical resources, a literate and dependable work force, a robust private sector, competent macroeconomic management, and political stability are major factors explaining Colombia's good record of economic development and social improvements over the last 30 years. The growth of the illegal drug industry in Colombia over the past two decades has had serious economic, political, and social effects. Colombia has become the world's major cocaine processing and distribution center, accounting, by some estimates, for about 75 percent of the world's supply of cocaine. However, the costs to society have clearly outweighed any possible benefits.