Ten things you never knew about... Colombia

England’s footballers take on Colombia this evening for a place in the quarter-finals of the World Cup. Here is some background material about our opponents.

1. Spanish explorers first reached Colombia in 1499 and began colonisation soon after. They named it Republic of New Granada.

2. In 1863 its name was charged to United States of Colombia and in 1886 to Republic of Colombia.

3. Colombia has more species of butterflies, more types of orchid and is a greater source of emeralds than any other country.

4. Colombia is the world’s third highest coffee producing country behind Brazil and Vietnam.

5. The national game of Colombia is tejo, which involves throwing metal disks at gunpowder-filled targets which explode if hit.

6. The National Anthem of Colombia is played on radio and television every day at 6am and 6pm.

7. In 2000 Colombia had the highest rate of kidnappings in the world. Since then it has fallen by 92 per cent.

8. Lake Guatavita in Colombia is said to be the site of the mythical golden city of El Dorado.

9. The Museum of Gold in Bogota, Colombia, has the world’s largest collection of gold artefacts.

10. Colombia has a border with Panama but there is no road across it.