Cartagena, Colombia

Colombia has more to offer than drugs and Pablo Escobar.

From the sucess of the show "Narcos," I often hear and am asked about the Cartel of Medillin or the Cartel of Cali. But in reality, Colombia is one of the most geographical countries — from the Amazons to "El Mar de los 7 Colores" in San Andrés. Colombia has more to offer than drugs, Pablo Escobar and our FARC civil-war that has been going for 52 years. Despite our hardships as a nation we have still been able to be recognized as one of the happiest countries in the world.

Colombia's Magical Realism

Colombia has made enormous economic and social strides. Although, we still face their challenges it has made an uphill raise in tourism. Proclolombia, an organization whose main focus is to show different parts of the world the beautiful, colorful, touristic sides of Colombia has launched many commercials, and advertisements around the world to show what is not shown by the media.

Medellin

Medellin was declared "The Most Innovate City in the World in 2013", and the winner at "The World Travel Awards". It was once the home of Pablo Escobar, and where most of Narcos took place, but now Medellin is home to over 30 million Christmas lights. It drapes churches, building and even Medellin's River from late November through January. Since Pablo Escobars death in 1993 it went from the murder capital in the world to one a one of the top tourist places in the world.

The Caribbean Islands: San Andres, and Cartagena

Colombia is home to one of the most beautiful islands in the world. You can go anywhere from San Andres to Cartagena, and find its crystal blue waters. "The Sea of Seven Colors" is located in San Andres, and visitors say how the colors range from dark blue to aqua green. Furthermore, Cartagena has more to offer than white sandy beaches and clear blue water, it is home to its historical churches and colorful houses. And this is only a few of the islands that there are.

Mega-diversity

From Cartagena de Indias to the middle of the country, where we find the Andes mountains, to south of the country, where we find the Amazons jungle. West of the Andes mountains we find the Darien jungle in which it actually has made it a barrier to connect South America to Pan-American highway. The east of the country we find Orinoquia, a region with vast plains, and tropical rainforests. Finally, south of the country which we find the Amazon jungle. It occupies 41% of Colombia's terrain with natural resources. Colombia is not a big country, but it is responsible to 10% of world's biodiversity, 1st in bird species and the nation with the widest variety of fruits. It also holds the highest variety of butterflies and flowers.

Café

Colombia coffee is among one of the best in the world. If you have drank Starbuck's Cold Brew it is actually from Nairo, Colombia. Colombia's coffee is actually cultivated traditionally in the coffee triangle. The culture of Colombia's coffee and the reproduction Colombian coffee is sorrounded and modeled by Juan Valdez.

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Colombia is not only the home of Sofia Vergara and Shakira. Colombia is home to one of the most renowned artists. Although, Pablo Escobar is a part of Colombia's history, it's not all of it. And I'm proud to call Colombia one of my homes.