Everyday Life of Colombia in 1959 Through Fascinating Vintage Photos

Colombia is a beautiful country in the northwestern part of the continent where South America connects with Central and North America. It is bordered by Panama, which divides the two bodies of water, on the northwest, by Venezuela and Brazil on the east. Colombia’s people are as diverse as its landscape. There are three main ethnic groups in Colombia: Indians, African slaves brought to Colombia, and Europeans. As a result of this rich cultural mix, the country’s foods, music, dance, and art are diverse and unique. Colombia has 1,000 miles of coast to the North, bounded by the Caribbean Sea, and 800 miles of coast to the west, which the Pacific Ocean bounds.

Below are some stunning photos by Ernst Leonhardt of Colombia in 1959.

#1 Armenia local bull ring made of bamboo, 1551m, Colombia

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#2 Bucaramanga from hotel window. A clean, impressive city at foot of mountains, 1018m, Colombia

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#3 Cabbage, rice, beans, corn meal. Some people wearing patched patches for clothing, Colombia

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#4 Edge of town of Moniquira. Market day beginning to taper off, Colombia

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#5 Girardot omnipresent wood market, Colombia

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#6 San Gil meat market, Colombia

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#7 San Gil wood market. Fuel one of big problems in the Andes, Colombia

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#8 Bridge over Rio Fonce leaving San Gil, Colombia

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#9 Girardot pottery and junk, Colombia

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#10 Girardot tropical fruit in great abundance, Colombia

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#11 Gypsy camp on edge of Moniquira, Colombia

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#12 Gypsy King prancing down main street of Moniquira, Colombia

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#13 Market at Girardot. Rio Magdalena is watery highway to this market, Colombia

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#14 Old, narrow bridge leading into Popayan, much colonial architecture, Colombia

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#15 Poinsettias, Colombia

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#16 Popayan girls, Colombia

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#17 Popayan Spanish cathedral, Colombia

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#18 Puppy for sale, Colombia

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#19 Restaurant area of market, Colombia

Tables set up in all these tents. Goat, lamb, sausages, chicken, fried potatoes

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#20 San Gil fruit market, Colombia

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#21 Sugar cane unloading at Barbosa. Barbosa is rail center for entire area to take cane to factories of Bogota, Colombia

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#22 Tobacco coming from market near Barbosa, Colombia

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#23 View of market at Moniquira, Colombia

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#24 Woman was selling potatoes, Colombia

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#25 Colombian children.

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