Economic life in Colombia is lead by their specialty in coffee production, bringing premium world market prices and constituting half of all legal exports. Agriculture is a major economic component and along with coffee production is the illegal cultivation of coca (base ingredient for cocaine) bringing in large market revenue. Modern economy is based with exploitation of hydrocarbon fuels and several metals. Also, the manufacture of goods for export and home consumption plays a large role in Colombia's economic success. Animal life is another prosperous part of Colombia as animals on the Pacific Coastal regions have supported an export trade to North American and European zoos. Colombia is known for its wild range of exotic plants that are able to grow due to Colombia's complex climate, soil, and topography patterns.

Of these 18 public holidays, some of the most prominent ones are Carnaval del Diablo, Carnaval de Negros y Blancos, Santa Semanta, Bogotá International Book Fair, Festival of the Flowers, Day of the Candles, and of course, Christmas. Carnivals are clearly a major focus and component in Colombian culture and celebration and pretty much every town has some sort of Carnaval every year. The origins of these holidays stem from indigenous pagan and Catholic beliefs, indigenous ties from Andean and Hispanic traditions and African cultural influences, religious history, cultural gathering, honoring of Colombia's successful floral industry, and honoring of Catholic traditions and history. Colombia celebrates their holidays in large gatherings because being connected and involved in one's community is a great deal in Colombian culture.

The Bogotá International Book Fair is an interesting event and is actually one of Latin America's most significant cultural gatherings (iExplore p.5). Each year the event features talks, workshops, concerts, exhibitions, food, drinks and a children’s program (iExplore). For many holidays, it’s common for townspeople to have friendly competition doing things like building displays and games. This is another way for the community to come together and become connected to one another while having a fun time.

To compare American culture and holidays to Colombia, I can definitely say that there are many things in common. One major common factor is of course that we both celebrate Christmas. Christmas is an important holiday in the US and in Colombia it seems to have even more of an impactful importance. Also, many Colombian holidays have a strong historical past that is celebrated along with fesitvities. In America, holidays have history typically, however the origin of these holidays is not discussed in/to the same extent. The way that holidays are celebrated is similar but also different as the US does not celebrate with big carnivals. The US does however celebrate strongly with food and various traditions, just like Colombia does.