Page:Statesman's Year-Book 1913.djvu/861

 739

COLOMBIA.

(La Republtca de Colombia.) Constitution and Government.

Thk Re[>iiblic of Colombia gained its independence of Spain in 1819, and was officially constituted December 27, 1819. It split up into Venezuela, Ecuador, and the Repul^lic of New Granada, February 29, 1832. The Constitution of April 1, 1858, changed the Republic into a confederation of eight States, under the name of Confederation Granadina. On September 20, 1861, the convention of Bogota brought out the confederation under the new name of United States of New Granada, with nine States. On May 8, 1863, an improved Constitution was formed, and the States reverted to the old name Colombia — United States of Colombia. The revolution of 1885 brought about another change, and the National Council of Bogota, composed of three delegates from each State, promulgated the Constitution of August 4, 1886. The sovereignty of the States was abolished, and they became simple departments, with governors appointed by the President of the Republic, though they have retained some of their old rights, such as the manage- ment of their own linances. In 1909, a new territorial division of the country was adopted, 15 departments and 4 " Intendencies " being formed.

The legislative power rests with a Congress of two Houses, called the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Senate contains 34 Senators elected indirectly by electors specially chosen for the purpose. The House of Representatives consists of 92 members elected by the people in 24 electoral circumscriptions (one for every 50,000 of population), but in each of the 4 intendencies appointed by the Intendente, his secretary and 3 inhabitants chosen by the municipal council of the capital of the in- tendency. Senators are elected for 4 years, Representatives tor 2 years.

The President is elected by direct vote of the people for a term of 4 years, and his salary is 9,600 gold dollars per annum. Congress elects, for a term of one year, two substitutes, one of whom, failing the president during a presidential term, fills the vacancy.

Preside7it of the Eepublic. — Sehor Carlos E. Restrepo, appointed July 15th, 1910.

The ministries are those of the Interior, Foreign Affairs, Finance, Treasury, War, Public Instruction, and Public Works.

Area and Population.

The area of the Republic is estimated at about 461,606 square miles. According to a census taken in 1870, the population, including that of Panama, at that date was 2,951,323. The area and population of the 15 departments and 4 intendencies was, according to the census of 1912, as follows : —

3 B 2