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| Various indigenous groups populated what is present-day Columbia before the Spanish conquest began in 1499. Colombia gained independence from Spain in 1824, following a period of armed struggle. Today Colombia has a diverse population with indigenous, European, and African influence. Colombia’s geography is equally diverse, with Andean mountain ranges, desert, savanna, and part of the Amazon rainforest. The country is rich in mineral and agricultural resources, but the wealth that these generate is controlled by a small percentage of the population. The country’s recent history has been marred by an internal conflict that has simmered for 50 years, resulting in massive civilian displacement and human rights violations. |
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