Some of the main determinants of Colombia geography are:
- Its location on the Tropic.
- Its coasts on both Oceans, Colombia is the only South American country privileged with coasts of both Oceans, one on the Atlantic and the other one on the Pacific.
- The pressence of the Andean Chain, that crosses the country from south to north divided in three main chains called "cordilleras", the eastern chain, the central chain and the western ...
- The two main valleys bathed by two important rivers: the Magdalena River and the Cauca River, formed in between the three mountain chains.
- Its thermal floors, thanks to the mountain chains, with different climates depending on the altitude over the sea level.
- Its Eastern Plains, full of rivers and pastures.
- The portion of the Amazonas basin on the eastern-south side of the country with its rain forest climate and landscape.
- One isolated mountain system with high peaks covered by snow beside the coast on the Atlantic Ocean named "Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta"
- And another isolated mountain system on the Eastern Plains called "Sierra de la Macarena"
What are the physical characteristics of Colombia?
Colombia is the only South American nation to have coastal territories on both the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea. Its general terrain is mountainous with snow-capped summits overlooking heavily forested areas and grasslands. Other physical features in Colombia are Baudo Mountains, Perija Mountains, Putumayo River and the Guiana Shield.
What are the geographical features of Columbia?
Physical Features and Natural Resources of Colombia. Colombia lies in the "Ring of Fire," an area of seismic instability that surrounds the Pacific Basin and is subject to frequent volcanic eruptions and earthquakes. The country's most notable surface feature is the Andes mountain system, which breaks up the national territory into regions that ...
What is unique about Colombia?
Colombia is known as a ‘megadiverse’ country, home to an impressive variety of environments and ecosystems, including deserts, Caribbean coast, Pacific coast, Amazon rainforest, plains, the Andes mountain range and countryside landscapes. These unique environments provide many activities unique to Colombia. Here are ten of the best.
What are some geographical features of Colombia?
What physical features are in Colombia? The country's most notable surface feature is the Andes mountain system, which breaks up the national territory into regions that are isolated from one another and have distinctive characteristics. The three major regions are the Andean mountains and valleys, the Caribbean coast, and the eastern plains.
What are 5 physical features of Colombia?
Colombia Physical Features The mountainous system of Colombia is made up of volcanoes, snow-capped mountains, moors, valleys, and plains. The Andes mountain system in the center and the Amazon plain in the south pass through Colombia.
What are 2 things Colombia is known for?
In a nutshell, Colombia is famous for its arepas and specialty coffee, as well as the kindness of its people. It's known for its diverse landscapes and culturally rich heritage where art, music, and theater mix. It also has its share of famous people like Shakira and Sofia Vergara.
What is the shape of Colombia?
Shaped like an odd-looking pear with a thin top, Colombia is located in the northwestern corner of South America, alongside the Caribbean Sea between Panama and Venezuela, and bordering the Pacific Ocean between Panama and Ecuador.
What is the physical geography of Bogota Colombia?
Colombia GeographyGeographic LocationSouth AmericaTerrainflat coastal lowlands, central highlands, high Andes Mountains, eastern lowland plainsHighest Point5,775 MetersHighest Point LocationPico Cristobal Colon 5,775 mLowest Point LocationPacific Ocean 0 m10 more rows
Where is Colombia famous for?
Colombia is famous for the mines of Muzo, Chivor, and Coscuez located in the Andes Mountains. This region produces the world's finest Emeralds. In fact, about 70-90% of the Emeralds in the world come from Colombia! These stones are so pure and beautiful that they are amongst the highest priced.
What makes Colombia so special?
Colombia is known for its significant natural resources, modern cities, and a diverse culture. The government has made great strides in recent years to secure peace with revolutionaries, minimize crime, and protect its strong democratic institutions and the country boasts at growing economy.
How much is $100 US in Colombia?
436700.00000Are you overpaying your bank?Conversion rates US Dollar / Colombian Peso10 USD43670.00000 COP20 USD87340.00000 COP50 USD218350.00000 COP100 USD436700.00000 COP8 more rows
What are 5 facts about Colombia?
Interesting Facts About ColombiaColombia Has More Than 4,000 Species of Orchids.Colombia Is the Most Biodiverse Country on the Planet.Colombia Has 60 National Parks.Colombia Has Some of the Most Popular Tourist Cities.Colombia Is Home to the “Liquid Rainbow”Colombia Has the Second Most celebrated Holidays in the World.More items...•
Who named Colombia?
The name Colombia dates back to Francisco de Miranda, a revolutionary who sought to overthrow Spanish colonial rule in late-18th and early 19th century Latin America. He used "Colombia" as a term for all of so-called Spanish America.
What are 3 physical features of Colombia?
Colombia is a land of extremes. Through its center run the towering, snow-covered volcanoes and mountains of the Andes. Tropical beaches line the north and west. And there are deserts in the north and vast grasslands, called Los Llanos, in the east.
Does Colombia have a desert?
La Tatacoa Desert, the second largest dry area in Colombia after the desert of La Guajira, is one of Colombia's most attractive natural landscapes. It covers an area of 330 km² of gray and ochre soil interrupted by the green of the cactuses.
Does Colombia have volcanoes?
Volcanic Activity in Colombia Although it is the most seismically active volcano in Colombia, Nevado del Ruiz is not the only mountain presenting a danger to local residents. Ruiz is part of a 50-kilometer chain of volcanoes aligned north–south along the Colombian Central Cordillera.
What are 3 interesting facts about Colombia?
Interesting Facts About ColombiaColombia Has More Than 4,000 Species of Orchids.Colombia Is the Most Biodiverse Country on the Planet.Colombia Has 60 National Parks.Colombia Has Some of the Most Popular Tourist Cities.Colombia Is Home to the “Liquid Rainbow”Colombia Has the Second Most celebrated Holidays in the World.More items...•
What did Colombians invent?
Unbreakable earphones and a cell phone charger that runs on sunlight are some of the technological inventions created by Colombians who, with their creativity, talent and knowledge, have been able to design innovative green projects in order to improve people's lives and, at the same time, protect the environment.
What represents Colombia?
Colombia's National SymbolsNational Flag: Colombia's national flag is a horizontal tricolour of yellow, blue and red. ... National Coat of Arms: ... National Bird: Andean condor. ... National Flower: Cattleya Trianae. ... National Tree: Wax Palm. ... National Sport: Tejo. ... National Horse: Paso Fino. ... National Jewel: Emerald.More items...
Is Colombia known for coffee?
Although Brazil and Vietnam rank first and second for global coffee production, Colombia is the third-largest coffee producer in the world, and second in terms of global arabica production.
What is Colombia?
Colombia is a country located in South America; it has an area of 1,141,750 km2 (kilometers squared) and is considered a large country. It has a population of 50,372,000 people and is in position 29 on the population table. It is made up of 196 countries and has a moderate population density, 44 inhabitants per km2.
Where is Colombia?
What continent is Colombia in, and where is Colombia located? Colombia is located in the northwest of the continent of South America. To the north, its boundary ends with the Republic of Panama and the Caribbean Sea. To the east, it ends with the Republics of Venezuela and Brazil.
Colombia Geography
Colombia is located in an intertropical zone; it is crossed by the Andes Mountains and the Amazon Plain. Of its total area, 1,141,750 km2 is continental territory and 988,000 km2 is maritime territory. 330,000 km2 belong to the Pacific Ocean, and 658,000 km2 belong to the Caribbean Sea.
What are the physical features of Colombia?
Physical Features and Natural Resources of Colombia. Colombia lies in the "Ring of Fire," an area of seismic instability that surrounds the Pacific Basin and is subject to frequent volcanic eruptions and earthquakes. The country's most notable surface feature is the Andes mountain system, which breaks up the national territory into regions ...
Which river flows northward in Colombia?
ralphandpat.wordpress.com. The basins that separate the three Andean ranges contain Colombia's most important rivers. The Magdalena, which flows northward between the central and eastern ranges and empties into the Caribbean Sea, has been called "the lifeline of Colombia.". Between the central and western Andean ranges the Cauca River flows north ...
What are the richest minerals in Colombia?
The Andes contain much mineral wealth: coal near Santa Fe de Bogotá and Medellín, some of it of coking quality; emeralds near Santa Fe de Bogotá; gold in the Medellín area; iron ore near Tunja; and petroleum , especially in the Magdalena River valley. The mountain rainfall makes the region the center of Colombia's hydroelectric potential.
What is the Andean region?
The Andean Highlands and Valleys. The Andean region occupies about a quarter of Colombia. In the southern part of the country the Andes divide into three separate ranges, which continue northward toward the Caribbean Sea. The western range (Cordillera Occidental) is lowest. Its highest peak is about 4,400 meters (14,436 feet), ...
What is the climate like in the Caribbean?
The climate of the Caribbean lowlands is hot and harsh, and tropical diseases are common. The seaport of Barranquilla has an average temperature of 82° F (28° C). The region's rainfall is adequate and seasonally heavy. The varied coastal terrain includes some good lands for plantation agriculture and grazing.
What is the temperature of Cali?
The tierra templada, or "temperate" zone, extending from 1,000 to 2,000 meters (3,281–6,562 feet), is warm, with Cali having an average temperature of 73° F (23° C) and Medellín of 68° F (20° C). Santa Fe de Bogotá, in the tierra fría, or "cold" zone above 2,000 meters, has an average temperature of 57° F (14° C).
How tall is the Cordillera Oriental?
The eastern range (Cordillera Oriental) is somewhat lower on average than the central, although its tallest peak -at 5,493 meters (18,022 feet) - is higher than any in the central range. pinterest-pin-it. ralphandpat.wordpress.com.
What are the two regions of Colombia?
This cross section of the republic does not include two of Colombia's regions: the Caribbean coastal lowlands and the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, both in the northern part of the country. The lowlands in the west are mostly swampy; the reed-filled marshes of the area are called ciénagas by the people of Colombia.
What are the natural resources of Colombia?
The natural resources of Colombia are varied and extensive with most of its territory and oceans still unexplored. Colombia has one of the largest open pit coal mines in the world in the region of Cerrejon in the Guajira Peninsula. It also has oil rigs and natural gas extraction in the eastern plains. Colombia is the main producer of emeralds and an important participant in gold, silver, iron, salt, platinum, petroleum, nickel, copper, hydropower and uranium extraction.
What is the Cordillera Oriental?
The Cordillera Oriental, however, is composed of folded stratified rocks overlying a crystalline core.
What are the main rivers in Colombia?
See also: List of rivers in Colombia. Colombia has four main drainage systems: the Pacific drain, the Caribbean drain, the Orinoco Basin and the Amazon Basin. The Orinoco and Amazon Rivers mark limits with Colombia to Venezuela and Peru respectively. Caribbean Drain.
What were the environmental issues in Colombia in 1970?
The main environmental issues affecting Colombia are deforestation; soil and water quality damage from overuse of pesticides; air pollution, especially in Bogota, from vehicle emissions and other main cities.
What river flows through eastern Colombia?
Many of the numerous large rivers of eastern Colombia are navigable. The Río Guaviare and the streams to its north flow eastward and drain into the basin of the Río Orinoco, a river that crosses into Venezuela and flows into the Atlantic Ocean. Those south of the Río Guaviare flows into the Amazon Basin. The Río Guaviare divides eastern Colombia into the llanos subregion in the north and the tropical rainforest, or selva, subregion in the south.
What is the western third of Colombia?
The western third of the country is the most geographically complex. Starting at the shore of the Pacific Ocean in the west and moving eastward at a latitude of 5 degrees north, a diverse sequence of features is encountered. In the extreme west are the very narrow and discontinuous Pacific coastal lowlands, which are backed by the Serranía de Baudó, the lowest and narrowest of Colombia's mountain ranges. Next is the broad region of the Río Atrato / Río San Juan lowland.
What are the physical characteristics of Colombia?
Few countries boast such striking physical variety as does Colombia. Its broken, rugged topography, together with its location near the Equator, creates an extraordinary diversity of climates, vegetation, soils, and crops. The Andean cordillera, one of the world’s great mountain ranges, dominates the landscape of the western part of the country, where most of the people live. North of the border with Ecuador the cordillera flares out into three distinct parallel ranges. Two great river valleys, those of the Magdalena and the Cauca, separate them and provide avenues of penetration from the Atlantic coastal lowlands into the heart of the country. Volcanic activity in the geologic past blocked the middle course of the Cauca River to form a great lake that once filled the western inter-Andean trough for some 120 miles (190 km) south of Cartago. The river eventually broke through the dam to leave the level floor of the Cauca valley at some 3,000 feet (900 metres) above sea level; today it is one of the nation’s most productive agricultural areas.
What is Colombia's physical diversity?
Few countries boast such striking physical variety as does Colombia. Its broken, rugged topography, together with its location near the Equator, create s an extraordinary diversity of climates, vegetation, soils, and crops.
What is the highest mountain in Colombia?
The Cordillera Central is the highest of the Andean ranges of Colombia, rising to an average height of 10,000 feet (3,000 metres). It is a continuation of the Ecuadoran volcanic structure. Crystalline rocks are exposed at several places on its flanks and are the foci of localized gold and silver deposits.
What are the topographic features of the Pacific coast?
A lesser topographic feature on the Pacific coast is the Baudó Mountains, separated from the Cordillera Occidental by the valley of the Atrato River, which empties into the Caribbean Gulf of Urabá; the Baudó Mountains represent a southward extension of the Isthmus of Panama.
How high is the Cauca Valley?
The river eventually broke through the dam to leave the level floor of the Cauca valley at some 3,000 feet (900 metres) above sea level; today it is one of the nation’s most productive agricultural areas. Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content.
Where are the Cordilleras located?
The Colombian cordilleras belong to the northern portion of the great Andean mountain system, which extends along the Pacific coast of South America. The Andes are among the world’s most youthful mountain ranges and among the highest. The geologic history of this northern sector is less well understood than that of the central and southern parts. It is clear, however, that the entire cordillera has been thrust up through the subduction of the crumpled eastern margin of the Nazca Plate and, to the north, the Caribbean Plate under the more rigid but lighter South American Plate, which has been forced westward by the spreading Atlantic seafloor. These tectonic forces, similar to those found elsewhere around the Pacific Rim, continue to operate, as is evidenced by the high frequency of often destructive earthquakes. At the Pasto Massif, near the Ecuadoran border, the mountains divide into the Cordillera Occidental (“Western Range”), which runs parallel to the Pacific coast, and the Cordillera Central (“Central Range”), which, with its numerous volcanoes, forms the backbone of the system in Colombia and runs generally southwest to northeast. At the Great Colombian Massif of the Cordillera Central, near the San Agustín Archeological Park, the Cordillera Oriental (“Eastern Range”) branches off in a more decidedly northeasterly direction.
What is the political instability of Colombia?
The nation’s political instability has been historically tied to the unequal distribution of wealth, and the illicit trade in drugs (mainly cocaine) remains a major disruptive factor in Colombian life.
What is Colombia's climate?
Colombia's climate varies with its different altitudes. Its three climatic zones are called: "hot country," "temperate country," and "cold country." Columbia is tropical along the coast and eastern plains; cooler in the highlands.
What is Colombia's geographical location?
Overview: The Republic of Colombia (about 440,000 square miles), is in northwest South America. Its location on the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean, proximity to the Panama Canal, and economic potential give it a position of international importance.
What country borders Colombia?
As well as its frontier with Panama on the northwest, Colombia shares borders with Ecuador and Peru on the south, with Brazil on the southeast, and with Venezuela on the northeast. The Andes mountains dominate the western two-fifths of Colombia, giving it a very different character from the remaining eastern three-fifths.
What are the unique features of Colombia?
Here are 8 unique features that help set it apart from the competition. 1. Two Oceans, No Waiting. Colombia is the only South American country that has coastlines on the both Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. Tourists and locals not only have a wide selection of beaches (over 300 in all!), but two distinct bodies of water to choose from. 2.
What is the name of the river that runs through Colombia?
4. A River Runs through It. Perhaps one of Colombia’s most unique features is Caño Cristales, often referred to as “The Liquid Rainbow.”. Located in the Serranía de la Macarena mountain range, near the center of the country, this body of water has gained popularity among tourists as the most beautiful river in the world.
When did Colombia become the United States?
The name changed again to the Granadine Confederation in 1858 and then to the United States of Colombia in 1863. Its present-day name, the Republic of Colombia, was adopted in 1886, making it the only country today named after the man whose explorations led to the discovery of the “New World”: Christopher Columbus.
Is Colombia a good place to retire?
With all of the history, culture, and natural beauty that abound in this increasingly popular destination, there are many more special and unique discoveries to be made. Colombia holds a great potential for retirees and investor s to grow, prosper, and profit.
Who is the most famous drug lord in Colombia?
8. And One Really Notorious Figure. One of the most polarizing and notorious figures in Colombian history is the drug lord, Pablo Escobar. Once listed by Forbes magazine, in 1989, as one of 227 billionaires in the world, Escobar’s rise and fall have become the stuff of legend.
Is Colombia known for coffee?
Coffee Is Not the Only Jewel in Colombia. Colombia has long been known for the quality of its coffee. Colombian Arabica beans are prized by coffee aficionados for their rich, yet mild flavor. Colombian coffee remains as the only single origin product to compete with the multitude of blended coffees found in most stores.
What are some examples of flora in the area?
Examples of the area's flora are the green and purple orchid,the heliconia flower, the white victoria amazenica flower, the red and yellow bromeliad, and the purple and white bucket orchid.
What are the three main sections of the Andes Mountains?
More About The Andes Mountains. The mountains are separated into three different sections; cordillera central, cordillera oriental, and cordillera occidental. Among everything, mines take their place here along with farms, and valleys with monstrous factories hiding in them.
The Andean Highlands and Valleys
The Caribbean Coastal Region
- The coastal area bordering the Caribbean makes up about an eighth of the country. This northern region consists for the most part of broad lowlands, including extensive swamps. However, an isolated mountain group -the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta- contains the nation's highest peaks, reaching 5,775 meters (18,947 feet). The climate of the Caribbean lowlands is hot and harsh, an…
The Eastern Region
- The hot, isolated, and thinly populated eastern plains account for almost three fifths of the national territory. This region consists of two quite distinct zones of vegetation. The southern, wetter part lies within the tropical rain forest of the Amazon River basin. Rubber was an important product during the early part of the 20th century. Now, tourist potential and wild animals for zoo…
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Overview
The Republic of Colombia is situated largely in the northwest of South America, with some territories falling within the boundaries of Central America. It is bordered to the northwest by Panama; to the east by Venezuela and Brazil; to the south by Ecuador and Peru; and it shares maritime limits with Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, and Haiti.
Main
Colombia usually classifies its geography into five natural regions, from the Andes mountain range, a region shared with Ecuador, Venezuela; the Pacific Ocean coastal region, shared with Panama and Ecuador; the Caribbean Sea coastal region, shared with Venezuela and Panama; the Llanos (plains), shared with Venezuela; to the Amazon Rainforest region shared with Venezuela, Brazil, Peru and …
Climate
The striking variety in temperature and precipitation results principally from differences in elevation. Temperatures range from very hot at sea level to relatively cold at higher elevations but vary little with the season. At Bogotá, for example, the average annual temperature is 15 °C (59 °F), and the difference between the average of the coldest and the warmest months is less than 1 °C …
Vegetation
Altitude affects not only temperature, but also vegetation. In fact, altitude is one of the most important influences on vegetation patterns in Colombia. The mountainous parts of the country can be divided into several vegetation zones according to altitude, although the altitude limits of each zone may vary somewhat depending on the latitude.
Relief
The Andean range is located in Colombia from the southwest (Ecuador border) toward the northeast (Venezuela border) and is divided in the Colombian Massif (Macizo Colombiano) in three ranges (East Andes, Central Andes and West Andes) that form two long valleys, Magdalena and Cauca follow by the rivers of the same name.
Natural resources
The natural resources of Colombia are varied and extensive with most of its territory and oceans still unexplored. Colombia has one of the largest open pit coal mines in the world in the region of Cerrejon in the Guajira Peninsula. It also has oil rigs and natural gas extraction in the eastern plains. Colombia is the main producer of emeralds and an important participant in gold, silver, iron, salt, platinum, petroleum, nickel, copper, hydropower and uranium extraction.
Environmental issues
The main environmental issues affecting Colombia are deforestation; soil and water quality damage from overuse of pesticides; air pollution, especially in Bogota, from vehicle emissions and other main cities. The collateral damaged produced by attacks against oil pipeline infrastructure by rebel guerrillas in the Colombian armed conflict has produced long term damage to the environment…
Extreme points
Highest points
Snowfields and glaciers in Colombia are limited to the highest peaks and ranges in the Cordillera Central and Cordillera Oriental and above the 4,700-metre (15,400 ft) elevation on the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. The total area of snowfields and glaciers was estimated to be about 104 square kilometers in the early 1970s.