Provinces of Gran Colombia facts for kids

Gran Colombia was a huge country in South America that existed for a short time, from 1819 to 1831. It was created by the famous leader Simón Bolívar after many parts of South America won their independence from Spain. This new nation included what we know today as Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, and Panama, along with parts of Peru and Brazil.

Gran Colombia was an important step in the history of South America. It aimed to unite the newly free territories into one strong country. This was meant to protect them from other European powers and help them grow.

How Gran Colombia Was Organized

To manage such a large area, Gran Colombia was divided into smaller parts. Think of it like states or provinces in a country today. In 1824, Gran Colombia had 37 main areas called provinces. These provinces were grouped into larger areas called departments, and then into even bigger districts.

This system helped the government keep things organized. It allowed them to collect taxes, manage local issues, and ensure laws were followed across the vast country. Each province had its own local government, but they all reported to the central government in the capital city, Bogotá.

The Provinces of Gran Colombia in 1824

Here is a list of the 37 provinces that made up Gran Colombia in 1824. They are grouped by their department and district. This shows how the country was divided to make it easier to govern.

Why Gran Colombia Ended

Even though it was a big idea, Gran Colombia didn't last very long. There were many reasons for this. Different regions had different ideas about how the country should be run. Also, the vast distances made it hard to govern effectively. By 1831, Gran Colombia split into three separate countries: Venezuela, Ecuador, and New Granada (which later became Colombia and Panama).

Despite its short life, Gran Colombia was a very important part of South American history. It showed the dream of a united continent and laid the groundwork for the independent nations we know today.

Images for kids

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  1824 map of 3 districts and 37 provinces.