18-617: The Andean region , located in central Colombia, is the most populated natural region of Colombia . With many mountains, the Andes contain most of the country's urban centers. They were also the location of the most significant pre-Columbian indigenous settlements. Beyond the Colombian Massif in the south-western departments of Cauca and Nariño , the Colombian Andes divide into three branches known as "cordilleras" (from
36-399: A couple of mines of coal and bauxite . Cali , the largest city on the river, depends on the river in a 76 percent. Adding to these other affluent rivers collect residual waters from other major cities and deposit an approximate of 330 tons of residual waste into the river. By the time it gets to Yumbo the river has no oxygen. The Hidroituango energy dam project has seriously affected
54-466: A number of rivers, including the Atrato River , San Juan River , Patía River , Baudó River and Mira River . The population of the region is mainly Afro-Colombian (it also includes several indigenous settlements), and the economy is based on mining (gold and platinum), timber, fishing, cattle raising and agriculture (particularly the cultivation of borojo , banana and plantain ). Buenaventura
72-753: Is Colombia's main Pacific port. Also known as the Oriental Plains from the Spanish Llanos Orientales , the Orinoco Region (Spanish: Región de la Orinoquía ) covers most of the area of the departments of Meta , Arauca , Casanare and Vichada . The region is rich in oil and suitable for extensive ranching but sparsely populated. The Amazon Region is a region in southern Colombia over the Amazon Basin . It comprises
90-809: Is a river in Colombia that lies between the Occidental and Central cordilleras . From its headwaters in southwestern Colombia near the city of Popayán , it joins the Magdalena River near Magangué in Bolívar Department , and the combined river eventually flows out into the Caribbean Sea . It has a length of 965 km (600 mi) to its junction with the Magdalena, for a total length of 1,350 km (840 mi). The river
108-660: Is under the supervision of the Cauca Regional Corporation and the Cauca Valley Regional Autonomous Corporation , and is navigable for 640 km (400 mi) above its junction with the Magdalena. On November 18, 2007, Colombian newspaper El Tiempo reported that the river was receiving an average of 500 tons of residual waste a day. Pollution from the city of Popayán , seven gold mines that also add industrial pollutants such as mercury, some 8 sand mills, plus
126-1118: The Andean Region , covering the three branches of the Andes mountains found in Colombia; the Caribbean Region , covering the area adjacent to the Caribbean Sea; the Pacific Region adjacent to the Pacific Ocean ; the Orinoquía Region , part of the Llanos plains mainly in the Orinoco river basin along the border with Venezuela ; the Amazon Region , part of the Amazon rainforest ; and finally
144-557: The Cordillera Oriental and Perijá Mountains , extending north-east towards the Guajira Peninsula , and including Bogotá , Bucaramanga and Cúcuta . The climate and vegetation of the region vary considerably according to altitude, but as a general rule the land can be divided into the tierra caliente (hot land) of river valleys and basins below 1,000 metres (3,300 ft); the more temperate conditions of
162-607: The Insular Region , comprising the islands in both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Colombia is located in South America . The Andes mountains form the most populous region of Colombia and contain the majority of the country's urban centres. They were also the location of the most significant pre-Columbian indigenous settlement. Beyond the Colombian Massif in the south-western departments of Cauca and Nariño ,
180-572: The Spanish for mountain range ): the West Andes run adjacent to the Pacific coast and is home to the city of Cali . The Central Andes run up the center of the country between the Cauca and Magdalena river valleys (to the west and east respectively) and includes the cities of Medellín , Manizales and Pereira . The East Andes extend northeast towards the Guajira Peninsula , and includes
198-569: The departments of Amazonas , Caquetá , Guainía , Putumayo , Guaviare and Vaupés . The Insular Region is considered by some as a sixth region, comprising those areas outside continental Colombia, including the department of San Andrés y Providencia in the Caribbean Sea and the islands of Malpelo and Gorgona in the Pacific Ocean. However, cultural ties are with the respective coastlines. [REDACTED] Category Cauca River The Cauca River ( Spanish : Río Cauca )
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#1732765413230216-592: The tierra templada (temperate land, approximately 1,000 to 2,000 m (3,300 to 6,600 ft)) and tierra fría (cold land, 2,000 to 3,000 m (6,600 to 9,800 ft)), which include the most productive land and the majority of the population; and the alpine conditions of the zona forestada (forested zone, 3,200 to 3,900 m (10,500 to 12,800 ft)), páramos (3,900 to 4,600 m (12,800 to 15,100 ft)) and tierra helada (frozen land, 4,600 m (15,100 ft) and above). The Caribbean Region covers 132,218 km (51,050 sq mi) adjacent to
234-652: The Caribbean Sea, stretching from the Gulf of Urabá in the west to the Guajira Peninsula in the east and including some or all of the departments of Guajira , Bolívar , Atlántico , Cesar , Magdalena , Sucre , Córdoba , Santander and Antioquia . The region is traversed by a number of rivers heading from the Andean highlands to the sea, including Colombia's principal river, the Magdalena , which disgorges at
252-616: The Colombian Andes divide into three branches known as "cordilleras" (from the Spanish for rope ): the Cordillera Occidental , running adjacent to the Pacific coast and including the city of Cali ; the Cordillera Central , running up the centre of the country between the Cauca and Magdalena river valleys (to the west and east respectively) and including the cities of Medellín , Manizales and Pereira ; and
270-515: The Gulf of Urabá in the north to the border with Ecuador in the south, and includes part of the departments of Nariño , Cauca and Valle de Cauca , and the whole of Chocó Department . Its high humidity distinguishes this region. Precipitation is among the highest in the world, with an average of 4,000 mm (160 in) per year and some areas that receive as much as 12,000 mm (470 in) per year. These high levels of precipitation support
288-434: The cities of Bogotá , Bucaramanga and Cúcuta . The climate and vegetation of the region vary considerably according to altitude, but as a general rule the land can be divided into the tierra caliente (hot land) of river valleys and basins below 1,000 m; the more temperate conditions of the tierra templada (temperate land, approximately 1,000 m to 2,000 m) and tierra fría (cold land, 2,000 m to 3,200 m), which include
306-656: The main port of Barranquilla . As the area first settled by Europeans, the Caribbean region is also the location of the historic port cities of Santa Marta and Cartagena . However, whilst generally low-lying and humid, the region also includes the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountain range and the Guajira Desert . The Pacific Region is located on Colombia's western, Pacific coast, and covers an area of 83,170 km (32,110 sq mi). It extends from
324-513: The most productive land and most of the population; and the alpine conditions of the zona forestada (forested zone, 3,200 m to 3,900 m), páramos (3,900 m to 4,600 m) and tierra helada (frozen land, 4,600 m and above). West Andes from south to north: Munchique , Farallones de Cali , Tatamá, Las Orquideas, Paramillo [REDACTED] Category Natural regions of Colombia Because of its natural structure, Colombia can be divided into six distinct natural regions . These consist of
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