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COLOMBIA.
(La Republtca de Colombia.) Constitution and Government.
The Republic of Colombia, which, in colonial days was called 'Vice-royalty of New Granada,' gained its independence of Spain in 1819, and was officially constituted December 27, 1819. Soon after it formed with Vene- zuela and Ecuador the State of 'Greater Colombia,' which continued for about ten years. It then split up into Venezuela, Ecuador, and the Republic of New Granada, on February 29, 1832. The Constitution of April 1, 1858, changed New Granada 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 took the name of the United States of Colombia. The revolution of 1885 brought about another change, and the National Council of Bogota, composed of two 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 management of their own finances. At present there are 14 departments, 2 " Inteudencies," and 7 commissaries.
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 17 electoral circumscriptions (one for every 50,000 of population) Senators are elected for 4 years, Representatives for 2 years.
The President is elected by direct vote of the people for a term of 4 years, and is not eligible for re-election until 4 years afterwards ; his salary is 18,000 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.
President of the Republic. — Don Marco Fidel Suarez. Elected February 10, 1918. Holds office from August 7, 1918, to August 7, 1922.
The ministries are those of the Interior, Foreign Affairs, Finance, Treasury, War, Public Instruction, Commerce and Agriculture, and Public Works. .
Area and Population.
The area of the Republic is estimated at about 440,846 square miles. It has a coast line of about 3,100 mdes, about equa.ly diviiled between the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean. The area and population of the 14
