Fill out your data to get our latest news and publications








    How does the political and administrative organization work in Colombia?

    Imagen: Shadowxfox (Wikimedia Commons), colombia-information
    Imagen: Shadowxfox (Wikimedia Commons)
    Colombia is organized in 1123 municipalities, 32 departments and 5 districts.

    Today, Colombia is organised territorially by departments, municipalities and districts, mainly. Other special divisions are the provinces, the indigenous territorial entities and collective territories.

    A municipality is a territorial entity organized administrative and legally. It is directed by the figure of a mayor, who governs along with a municipal; both figures are elected by popular vote. Colombia has 1123 municipalities.

    Located between the nation and the municipality, the departments are headed by a Governor responsible for the autonomous administration of the resources granted by the State. They have autonomy in the handling of matters related to their jurisdiction and operate as entities between the nation and the municipalities. They are administered by a governor and an Assembly of deputies elected in popular elections. In Colombia there are 32 departmental units.

    The districts are territorial entities with a special administration. Because of its national importance, in Colombia, the cities of Bogotá, Cartagena, Barranquilla, Santa Marta and Buenaventura carry this badge.

    The provinces are intermediate territorial divisions between departments and municipalities. In Colombia, this administrative figure is not very common.

    The indigenous territorial entities are indigenous local governments that occupy some departmental or municipal portion. For their part, the collective territories have been awarded to the Afro-Colombian population that predominates in the Pacific zone, allowing it to organize itself in community and business associative ways.

    Find more information on the Organization of the State and find out why the answer is Colombia.

    4.1/5 - (143 votes)
    Artículos recomendados
    Tejo, Games, Turmequé, Colombian games

    Colombia’s most beloved sports: Tejo and Chaza

    Football isn’t the only sport that Colombians go mad for. Across the country, local sports that have been played for...
    Divertisty, Amazonic region, Amazon, Amazon rainforest, Culture, Tourism

    Culture and diversity in the Amazon

    Leticia, nature capital of Colombia, is located in the world’s largest jungle: The Amazon. 
    Bogota, Colombian sayings, Colombian slang

    Colombia’s Favorite Sayings

    Colombian Spanish is often described as the best and clearest version of the language but, like all nations, we choose...

    Are you ready to travel Colombia like an expert? Take our quiz to find it out

    Thanks to its range of climates, scenery, colors, dialects, traditional flavors, people and festivals, Colombia offers a unique traveling experience,...
    Colombian girl celebrating Colombian Independence Day– Colombians are passionate people | Colombia Country Brand

    5 reasons why you should meet Colombian people

    Colombians are unique; once we’ve said ‘Hi’—or the familiar “Quiubo” pronounced as “key-u-bo"—you’ll find yourself wondering if we’ve met before,...

    Colombia’s Favorite Superstitions

    When a country has a history as diverse as Colombia's, it’s no surprise to find it full of myths, legends...
    Colombia feels like home in every corner of the country | Colombia Country Brand

    Why the most welcoming country feels like home

    Every corner of the country will greet you with a warm feeling of friendly belonging. Because every little thing Colombians...
    Colombian animal slang, Hacer conejo, "doing a rabbit", Colombian slang

    Colombian “Animal” Slang

    Colombia is an animal-loving nation, so much so that animals have crept into the nation’s everyday speech. You may hear...
    Cogi, Indidenous, Colombian ethnic groups

    Colombia’s indigenous groups

    With some 87 ethnic groups and 65 different languages, Colombia is the second most ethnically diverse country in the Americas, after...

    Colombia, a country that celebrates its ethnic diversity

    Due to its location and the diversity of cultures that have entered the country, several ethnic groups have emerged which...