She was the voice and presence that gave theme song Waka Waka it's energy, creating lyrics that entered your consciousness whether you wanted them to or not.
But Shakira was around long before Waka Waka, releasing multiple albums in Latin America and Spain before breaking onto the world scene with Whenever, Wherever in 2002.
With a fistful of Grammys, Latin Grammys, Latin Music awards and Golden Globe nominations, Shakira is one of the most famous Colombians of this generation. She's also the country's best selling artist and is only second to Gloria Estefan for Latin music worldwide.
Gabriel Garcia Marquez
Gabriel Garcia Marquez epitomizes Colombia's contribution to the arts. The author of several hugely popular novels, including a Hundred Years of Solitude and Love in the Time of Cholera, Garcia Marquez won the Nobel Prize for literature in 1982.
He pioneered the magical realism style of writing. At the age of 84, he's still writing, with rumors of another novel due soon.
Juan Pablo Montoya
If you have followed Formula One for any length of time, then you have probably heard of Juan Pablo Montoya.
A crossover driver, with wins in CART, IndyCar, Grand-Am and NASCAR, he has had an amazing track record around the world. Currently competing mainly in NASCAR, he's ranked among the top 50 Formula One drivers of all time.
John Leguizamo
Actor, producer and comic John Leguizamo is apt to pop up in all sorts of places: film, television, Broadway – he's done them all.
He's appeared in films including Regarding Henry, Carlito's Way and Moulin Rouge and is the voice of Sid the Sloth in Ice Age. More recent appearances include Repo Men, One for the Money and the Lincoln Lawyer.
Another Famous Export
By now you're probably wondering about the final famous export. The suspense is over – it's coffee! Colombia is the second biggest coffee producer in the world, with some of the best conditions anywhere for growing the delicious bean.
So it's no wonder that Colombian coffee is famous worldwide. Coffee lovers rave about the full flavored Medellin blend.
What are your favorite exports from Colombia (keep it clean and legal, please)?
About the Author:
Sharon Hurley Hall is a freelance writer who enjoys the novels of Gabriel Garcia Marquez. She writes today for Eden Springs, a supplier office coffee machines and the No. 1 UK bottled water cooler provider.
