Diario las Américas., 1958-04-19
Know thv
Nei9hbor
Bv RUIZ

COLOMBIA - The country has
| extensive agricultural zones, out
standing among them being, be.
cause Oh the excellent quality OF
the land the "Valle del Cauca,"
the "Sabana" or Plateau of Bogo-
ia, the Tolima Plains" and the
areas of Sinu and Valledupar. The
most important agricultural pro-
duct of Colombia is coffee. Re-
garding quantity the country is
the second largest exporter in the
world, being surpassed only by
Brazil; regarding quality, the coun-
try is first in the world in tile
production of mild coffeeS. 1t is
produced in temperate climate, es-
pecially In the departments OF ALI
tioquia, Caldas, Cundinamarca,
North Santander, S%antander, To-
lima and Vale.
In the cold climates, that is,
in the high Andean plateauS OF
Boyaca, Cundinamarca and Mari
no, wheat, barley and potatoes are
grown. The warm climates pro-
duce in quantities sufficient for
export, corn, and rice in Bolivar,
HULA, Tolima and Vale, sugar in
Bolivar Cundinamarca, Tolima and
Vale, and bananas in the Magda-
lena Department.
Regarding the cattle industry,
its DEVELOPMENT in Colombia is re-
markable In the Eastern Plains
there are innumerable heads OF
wild cattle that supply large sec
tions of the country and also are
exported to Venezuela. In the ST.
MI area, a SPECIAL meat and dairy
type has been bred. In Antioquia
there is another special bred. In
the hot climates, cattle have been
crossed mainly with the Brahma.
breed, whose characteristics are
now dominant. In the plains of b.
livar, M~agdalena and Vale depart
mentS, there are very large num-
berS of cattle. In the cold climates,
especially in the Sabana of Bogo-
ia and in the Cuaca Valley, native
cattle have been crossed with the
Normand and Holstein breeds.
Thoroughbred fighting bulls from
the best Spanish stock are raised
in the departments of Bolivar,
Cundinamarca, Narino, Tolima and
Vale.
The mineral wealth of the coun-
try is great. Colombia exports
gold and platinum: the principal
mines are found in the depart
mentS of Antioquia and Choco.
Silver is mined in Antioquia and
Tolima. Emeralds, among them the
ones from the famous Muzo mines,
are found in Boyaca Department.
Colombian emeralds are consider
ed the finest and pureSt in the
world; they may be purchased at
the most luxurious shops in the
principa- cities OF the world.
Iron ore is found in the De-
partmenU of Boyaca, where the Paz
de Rio Steel Works plant is locat-
ed. 1t will soon be able to supply
the demands for most of the steel
needed in Colombia. The ore de-
posts I large and the metal of
high quality; the work is made
easier with the existence of cal
cium and coal mines at a short dis.
lance from the plant There are
large coal mines in the depart.
mentS of Cundinamarca, Magdale-
ma and Vale.
Columbia produces and exports
oil, although not in the quaint,
ties the industry should reach,
since it is estimated that petro,
leum deposits in the country are
very large Exploitation today is
mainly in the sections of Barran.
cabermeja and Cucuta. Rock salt
is produced in Zipaauira, about
80 miles from Bogota, and ocean
salt is processed mainly in the
Atlantic coast. From the Cauca
Department, sulphur is exported.
During the last few decades, Co.
lombian~ industry has achieved
great progress. Particular efforts
have been made to increase the
number OF products manufactured
in the country, in order to reduce
imports and have a greater variety
OF exportable items.
Spanish Version Page 3