Colombia civics quiz: questions and answers
All 15 general civics quiz questions about Colombia with answers and explanations, grouped by topic. This is a learning quiz, not an official exam. Select a question to see the answer.
Government and law 5 questions
The 1991 Constitution, Colombia as a social state under the rule of law, the Congress and the departments.
Practise only: Government and law →
What is the capital of Colombia?
Bogotá
Bogotá, officially Bogotá, Distrito Capital, is the capital and largest city of Colombia.
In which year was Colombia’s current Constitution adopted?
1991
The current Political Constitution was adopted in 1991, replacing the Constitution of 1886.
How does Article 1 of the Constitution define Colombia?
A social state under the rule of law
Article 1 says Colombia is a social state under the rule of law (Estado social de derecho), organised as a unitary, decentralised republic.
What is the name of Colombia’s national legislature?
The Congress of the Republic
The Congress of the Republic has two chambers: the Senate and the House of Representatives.
Into how many departments is Colombia divided, apart from the Capital District?
32
Colombia has 32 departments plus the Capital District of Bogotá.
History 5 questions
The Cry of Independence of 1810, Simón Bolívar, the Battle of Boyacá and the separation of Panama.
What is remembered on 20 July 1810?
The Cry of Independence in Bogotá
On 20 July 1810 an uprising in Santa Fe de Bogotá led to a local junta, and the date is celebrated as Independence Day.
Which 1819 battle was decisive for the independence of Colombia?
The Battle of Boyacá
Patriot forces led by Simón Bolívar won the Battle of Boyacá on 7 August 1819, opening the way to Bogotá.
Who led the independence campaign and became the first President of Gran Colombia?
Simón Bolívar
Simón Bolívar led the campaigns that freed northern South America and was the first President of Gran Colombia.
Which territory separated from Colombia in 1903?
Panama
Panama separated from Colombia in November 1903 and became an independent republic.
Which Colombian writer won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1982?
Gabriel García Márquez
Gabriel García Márquez, author of One Hundred Years of Solitude, won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1982.
Geography, culture and symbols 5 questions
Two coastlines, the Andes and the Magdalena River, the coffee region, Cartagena and the national flag.
Practise only: Geography, culture and symbols →
What colours are on the flag of Colombia?
Yellow, blue and red
The flag has horizontal stripes of yellow, blue and red, with the yellow stripe taking up the top half.
Which two bodies of water border Colombia’s coasts?
The Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea
Colombia is the only South American country with coastlines on both the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea.
Which is Colombia’s main river, flowing north to the Caribbean?
The Magdalena
The Magdalena runs north through the Andean region to the Caribbean and has long been the country's main river route.
Which landscape in Colombia is a UNESCO World Heritage Site linked to a famous crop?
The Coffee Cultural Landscape
The Coffee Cultural Landscape of Colombia, in the Andes, was added to the UNESCO World Heritage list in 2011.
Which Caribbean port city is famous for its colonial walls and fortifications?
Cartagena
The port, fortresses and monument group of Cartagena are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Think you know them?
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