Forest cover regenerated from 21% to 52% in a single generation. The army was abolished in 1948 — the budget went to parks and schools.

More bird species than any country on Earth. Almost a third of national territory held under indigenous resguardo tenure — one of the highest land-sovereignty shares anywhere.

The only country where the Nearctic and Neotropical biogeographic realms meet. Over half of national territory held under ejido — collective rural land tenure unique in the Americas.

More plant species than any country on Earth, and sixty percent of the Amazon. The Atlantic Forest — once the country's eastern green spine — down to twelve percent of its original cover.