Illustrated Treatise on the Maritime Kingdoms, Volume 67

Atlantic Ocean: Nations of the Southern Continent South America

The Brief History of Foreign Countries states: The various lands of Colombia original: 可倫比 (Kělúnbǐ); referring here to Gran Colombia, the short-lived republic that included modern Colombia, Venezuela, and Ecuador extend from 1 degree to 10 degrees North Latitude, and from 1 degree to 5 degrees South Latitude. It covers an area of 880,000 square li a traditional Chinese unit of distance; 880,000 square li is approximately 84,000 square miles, though historical estimates varied. To the south, it borders nations such as Peru original: 伯路 (Bólù) and Brazil original: 巴悉 (Bā悉). To the north, it reaches the edges of the Antilles Sea original: 安特海 (Āntè Hǎi); the Caribbean and the Atlantic Ocean original: 大西洋 (Dàxīyáng). To the east, it borders the nation of Brazil. To the west, it meets the Isthmus of Panama original: 巴那馬峽 (Bānàmǎ Xiá) in North America and the Great Eastern Ocean original: 大東洋 (Dà Dōngyáng); the Pacific Ocean.

This land formerly belonged to the nation of Spain original: 是班亞 (Shìbānyà), which ruled it for 318 years. In the 14th year of the Jiaqing reign 1809 AD, the residents suddenly rebelled. Spain dispatched its army but was unable to conquer them. In the 1st year of the Daoguang reign 1821 AD, an assembly of various nations was held, and they were granted independence literally "allowed to be their own masters", becoming no different from the United States original: 花旗 (Huāqí); literally "Flowery Flag" nation.

However, the people’s hearts were not united. In the 10th year of the Daoguang reign 1830 AD, they rebelled again, and the land was divided into three parts. The western portion is called New Granada original: 新額那他 (Xīn'énàtā). Its area spans 17,395 li this likely refers to the linear extent or a specific measurement used in the source text. The population is 1,706,000. It is divided into five departments and eighteen counties. The land produces gold, in greater quantities than other parts of the Americas...