Of the indigenous people that survived the initial spread of diseases and other battles, some remained nearly untouched in the mountains or Amazon River basin, but most were integrated into the European-inspired culture and society. This combination created a new culture and society, which had aspects of both indigenous and Spanish culture. Most people began to speak Spanish and practice Catholicism, but local foods and traditions became the dominate force for many.
Today Colombia remains fairly diverse. Some indigenous people live much as they have in the past, particularly in the Amazon region, while in some areas, particularly the cities, the lifestyle and culture are almost wholly influenced by Europe and many people are wholly of European descent. However, diversity exists to nearly all degrees in between as the majority of people are mestizo and combine cultural and lifestyle aspects from various areas based on ethnicity, geography, and more.