The republic of Colombia, so named in honour of Columbus, comprised the ancient vice-royalty of New Granada and Quito, and the *capitanía general* of Venezuela. It was bounded E. by the Atlantic Ocean, and extended from Cape Nassau at the mouth of the Essequibo (N. Lat. 7° 39′, W. Long. 53° 47′) to Cape Gracias-a-Dios, in the province of Honduras (N. Lat. 15° 1′, W. Long. 82° 46′), including the islands of Margarita, St Andrews, and others. On the Pacific, the western boundary commenced at Golfo Dulce (N. Lat. 8° 20′, W. Long. 83°), and extended along the Pacific, comprehending the adjacent islands, as far as the river Tumbes (S. Lat. 3° 34′, W. Long. 86° 30′). On the south it was separated by the Tumbes and a lofty mountain ridge from Peru, Brazil, and the British possessions on the Essequibo. The boundary line between Colombia and Guatemala on the north, although highly important to both countries on account of the proposed water communication between the Atlantic and the Pacific at lake Nicaragua, was not accurately defined. The extent of territory comprised within these limits has been estimated at 92,000 square leagues, of which 58,000 belonged to New Granada and Quito, and 33,700 to Venezuela. Colombia is traversed from north to south by the Cordillera of the Andes, which, at an average distance of about 150 miles, runs parallel with the coast of the Pacific, and contains, besides other lofty mountains, Chimborazo, the height of which is estimated at 21,424 feet. In the centre of New Granada, the Andes separate into three parallel ridges which extend from 3° 30′ to 5° 15′ of N. Lat., and again unite to form one chain in the rugged province of Pasto. To the south they are divided into two parallel ranges, which cross the equator, and are reunited at Asaya. A lateral range proceeding eastward from the Andes gives origin to the Guaviare and the Meta, forms the watershed between the Orinoco and the Marañon, and, before its termination, separates Colombia from the British possessions of Essequibo, Berbice, and Demerara. At the lofty *paramo* of Almorsadero, the Cordillera divides into two branches, the eastern proceeding along the maritime provinces of Merida, Coro, Caracas, and Cumaná, reaching in some parts the limits of perpetual snow, and comprehending the Nevadas of Merida, 15,000 feet in height. The western branch proceeds northward by Ocaina, to form the Sierra Peripa, west of the lake of Maracaibo, and terminates near Santa Martha in the Sierra Nevada.

The *llanos* of Colombia are extensive plains, about 200 or 300 feet above the level of the sea; which are watered by the Caquetá, Meta, Guaviare, Casanare, Apare, and other tributaries of the Orinoco. Their area is estimated at 17,000 square leagues; and their climate is hotter and less healthy than that of the mountains. Towards the south they are covered with immense forests; their vegetation throughout is extremely luxuriant; and they teem with an endless variety of animals, birds, reptiles, and insects. The river Meta, in connection with the Orinoco, affords water communication from the Atlantic to within a few leagues of Bogota, a distance of 1500 miles. By means of the Casiquiare, a branch of the Orinoco, this river is connected with the Rio Negro, a tributary of the Marañon, and thus a water communication is established between two of the largest rivers of the world. In addition to these, the Magdalena which is navigable to within a short distance of Bogota; the Guayaquil, important as furnishing an outlet to the commerce of Quito; and the extensive lake of Maracaibo with its large tributaries, afford great facilities for internal communication.

Colombia, embracing in climate all the gradations of temperature from extreme heat to extreme cold, would long before this have become one of the most prosperous countries of the world, had not its political condition under Spanish rule greatly retarded the development of its natural resources. The cultivation of the vine and olive, the breeding of the silkworm, and the working of the iron mines were prohibited by the Spaniards in South America under severe penalties, lest they should interfere with the industry of Spain. Foreign commerce also was fettered by monopoly, and all commercial intercourse with the neighbouring countries subject to numerous restrictions. The natural productions of Colombia are cacao, coffee, cotton, sugar, tobacco, rice, maize, wheat, barley, dyewoods, cinchona bark, gums, balsams, timber adapted for ship-building, and a variety of medicinal and other useful substances. Cattle exist in great numbers on the extensive plains of Venezuela and Casanare, and horses and mules are also abundant. The riches of the mountainous districts consist principally of the valuable mines and washings of gold, silver, platinum, and other metals. The population of the country, which consists of whites, free coloured persons, and negro slaves, was calculated to exceed three millions in 1834; the uncivilized indigenous Indian population was estimated at 200,000. As Colombia, however, has now for a considerable period been divided into the three distinct and independent states of New Granada, Venezuela, and Ecuador, reference must be made to these heads for particular information relative to the population, laws, constitution, religion, education, and commerce of these countries. For the History of Colombia, see article Bolivar.