Colombia is the country with the second-highest biodiversity in the world, behind Brazil. As of 2016, 56,343 species are registered in Colombia, of which 9153 endemic. The country occupies the first position worldwide in number of orchids and birds, second position in plants, amphibians, butterflies and fresh water fish, third place in species of palm trees and reptiles and globally holds the fourth position in biodiversity of mammals.
Colombia is a longtime producer and exporter of oil and gas, and it is one of the most significant producers to not join OPEC. Oil production is largely controlled by the state-owned company Ecopetrol, but foreign companies have rights to some fields. Natural gas is produced for domestic use only. Colombia is the world's largest individual producer of emeralds. Mining had previously only been done by the government, but as of 2014 has shifted to the hands of private companies.
Colombian Natural Resources and Biodiversity