Post Cards: Spotlight on Columbia
By V. Galiatsatos
Colombia is the fourth largest country in South America and the only country in South America with access to both the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean. It also shares borders with Venezuela, Brazil, Peru and Ecuador. The capital city is Bogotá and the official language is Spanish.
Family roles in Colombia are sharply delineated, and women generally play a subordinate role. During the last half-century, however, women have increasingly taken on leadership roles in local communities, professional associations, and grassroots movements.
It is the custom for a child to have two family names — the last name is the mother's family name, and the second-to-last name is the father's family name. People use either their full name or go by their father's family name, which is the official surname.
Fútbol (soccer) is the most popular sport, but Colombians also enjoy many others, including bicycle racing, swimming, track and field, volleyball, basketball, and baseball. Many Colombians have access to the beach, and some ski in the mountains. Wealthy individuals often belong to sport clubs offering golf and tennis. Bullfights also continue to draw crowds. In addition to general socializing, people enjoy
dancing and music.
In 2003, U.S. citizens adopted approximately 272 children from Colombia. Children available for adoption are healthy infants, newborn to 18 months, as well as older and special needs children.
