Colombia is home to over 48 million inhabitants spread across its territory. Most have settled in the urban areas of the center. Bogotá, Medellín, and Cali form the "Triángulo de Oro", the renowned "Golden Triangle" of the country. The capital alone is home to over eight million Colombians, Medellín concentrates more than three million, and Cali is home to nearly 2.5 million people.

In the north of the country, the most populated cities are undoubtedly Barranquilla, Cartagena, and Santa Marta. The first two each have more than one million inhabitants, while Santa Marta is home to nearly 500,000.

Most Colombians speak Spanish, at least with a few subtle variations. However, more than a dozen dialects are still in use throughout the territory. They all have been inherited from ancient Muisca, Tayrona, Quimbaya, Zenú, and Inca civilizations. Some of them are threatened with extinction. Fortunately, preservation efforts are regularly undertaken to ensure they are passed down from generation to generation.

Unlike the rest of the territory, the population of Providencia and the San Andrés archipelago speaks English. This can come as a surprise at first, especially once you've grown accustomed to hearing Spanish at the entrances of parks, in buses, and at airports.

Colombia is a nation enriched by a multicultural society. The population is descended from Native Americans, Spanish, and Africans. In more remote areas, you'll have the chance to meet indigenous peoples, learn about their culture, customs, languages, and even some of their traditions.

When visiting Barrancas, Villanueva, or Riohacha, in the department of La Guajira, in the far north of the territory, you'll likely have the opportunity to encounter the Wayúu. They represent the largest indigenous group throughout Colombia. They stand out notably for the language in which they communicate and their distinctly unique culture.