Colombia is still a très regionalist country. Were it not for advances in transportation and telecommunications, it could easily have become several republics. You could slice it up many ways.
–The
Pacific region of the country (el Chocó) could have been a freed black/brown republic, like Haiti
–The
Caribbean coast could be conceptualized as a kind of Cuba in terms of culture and social order; they might have sought independence to take themselves out of the constant infighting that took place in the interior.
–
Antioquía and
Cundinamarca are sort of the twin "superpowers" of the country. Their capitals, Medellín and Bogotá, were the bitterest of rivals, like Renaissance Italian city-states. They've fought each other in civil wars for over 100 years. They're still very
regionalista.
Antioquía used to lead in industry and agricultural production. They can be conceived as the stereotypcial business-minded "Yankees" or "Paulistas" or "Armenians" or "Jews" of the country.
Bogotá/Cundinamarca/Boyacá is the more sober, ecclesiastical, educational, artistic, political and bureaucratic center (home of the national capital and formerly a viceroyal seat). They could have divided the country in half between them.
–The
Santanderes are traditionally an extension of Cundi-boyacense andean region. But they've got this militant, fuck-all-of-you, independent streak. They're kind of like the New Hampshire or Switzerland of the country. They could have checked out of the republic and struck out on their own if they got tired of the fighting.
–
Tolima/Huila and
Cauca/Valle each could have been small republics on the scale of Central American countries. They had big plantations growing rice, fruits and tobacco, plus the horrid, venal, violent plantation owners to rule over them all.
–
Nariño would probably join Ecuador and enjoy long-lasting peace.
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larger version here)