Colombia

Capital: Bogotá. Major Cities: According to the 2005 census, the four cities with more than 1 million population are: Bogotá (4,300,000; Greater Bogotá, 6,776, 009), Medellín (2,223,078), Cali (2,068,386), and Barranquilla (1,380,437). These cities are also the four major industrial centers. Independence: Colombia officially marks its independence from Spain on July 20, 1810, the date that criollo revolutionists established a ruling junta in the capital city of Santafé de Bogotá. Public Holidays: Año Nuevo (New Year's Day) (January 1), Día de los Reyes Magos (Epiphany) (January 6), Día de San José (St. Joseph's Day) (March 19), Jueves Santo (Holy Thursday) and Viernes Santo (Holy Friday) (variable dates in March or April; in 2007: April 5 and April 6, respectively), Primero de Mayo (Labor Day) (May 1), Ascension Day (variable date; in 2007: May 17), Corpus Christi (variable date; in 2007: June 7), Sagrado Corazón (Sacred Heart) (June 18*)...