Colombia: Natural Landscape

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Colombia: Natural Landscape

Thu, 07/21/2022 - 16:35

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Natural Landscape

Colombia is considered a land of extremes. Located in northwestern South America, its geographic landscape varies from the snow-covered Andes mountains to the tropical beaches of the Caribbean Sea. Due to its variety of ecosystems, Colombia is among the top countries in terms of biodiversity.

The Natural Landscape of Colombia

Colombia is located in northwestern South America and is bordered to the northwest by Panama, to the east by Venezuela and Brazil, and to the south by Ecuador and Peru. It is the fourth-largest country in South America.

Colombia is considered a land of extremes. Its geographic landscape varies from the snow-covered Andes Mountains to the tropical beaches of the Caribbean Sea.

The country's natural landscape includes the tropical forests of the Amazon and Pacific/Chocó, the mountain páramos of the Andes, and the grasslands of the Llanos.

Biodiversity

Colombia is one of the most biodiverse countries on Earth, and its rich ecological and geographical diversity has earned it a place among the world's megadiverse nations. The country's diverse landscapes, which include tropical rainforests, high mountain ranges, coastal regions, and vast river systems, contribute to its exceptional biodiversity.

Due to its variety of ecosystems, Colombia is among the top three countries on the planet in terms of biodiversity. According to the Global Biodiversity Index, with its 1,863 bird species, 812 amphibian species, 2,105 fish species, 477 mammal species, 634 reptile species, and 24,025 plant species, Colombia is one of 17 megadiverse countries.

Conservation

Conservation in Colombia is a critical and ongoing effort to protect the country's exceptional biodiversity, unique ecosystems, and natural resources. Colombia is renowned for its rich ecological diversity, including tropical rainforests, high mountain ranges, coastal regions, and extensive river systems. These ecosystems are home to numerous endemic species.

Challenges to conservation in Colombia include illegal armed groups, land conflicts, illicit crop cultivation, and the socio-economic pressures that drive deforestation and land degradation. Despite these challenges, Colombia's commitment to protecting its unique natural heritage remains strong, and the country continues to make significant efforts to conserve its biodiversity and promote sustainable development.

Climate

Colombia's climate is tropical along the coast and the eastern lowlands and cooler in the highlands and Andes. However, the country's proximity to the equator minimizes temperature variations throughout the year.

Colombia generally experiences warm, humid weather year-round. The mean annual temperature is 24 °C (75 °F), and the average humidity is 70%. However, the climate in Colombia varies greatly depending on the region due to the country's diverse topography.

Colombia can be divided into five main climate zones:

Tierra Caliente (hot zone): This zone is located at sea level and up to 1,000 m (3,280 ft) above sea level. It is characterized by hot, humid weather with temperatures ranging from 24 - 32 °C (75 - 90 °F).
Tierra Templada (temperate zone): This zone is located 1,000 - 2,000 m (3,280 - 6,560 ft) above sea level. It is characterized by mild, pleasant weather with temperatures ranging from 18 - 24 °C (64 - 75 °F).
Tierra Fría (cold zone): This zone is 2,000 - 3,000 m (6,560 - 9,840 ft) above sea level. It is characterized by cool weather with temperatures ranging from 13 - 18 °C (55 - 64 °F).
Tierra Helada (frozen zone): This zone is above 3,000 m (9,840 ft) above sea level. It is characterized by cold weather below 13 °C (55 °F).
Páramos: These are high-altitude grasslands above 3,500 m (11,480 ft) above sea level. Cold weather, strong winds, and high humidity characterize them.

Colombia also has two main seasons: the wet season and the dry season. The wet season runs from April to May and October to November, and the dry season runs from December to January and July to August. However, the timing and duration of the wet and dry seasons vary depending on the region.

_{Map depicting the countries on the continent of South America}

Natural Geography of Colombia

Natural Regions

Colombia generally classifies its geographic landscape into six natural regions:

Caribbean Region: in the north
Pacific/Chocó Region: in the west
Andean Region: at the center
Orinoco Region: in the east
Amazon Region: in the south
Insular Region: in the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean

Caribbean Region

The Caribbean Natural Region stretches from the Gulf of Uraga in the west to the Guajira Peninsula in the east. The region also hosts the historic port cities of Cartagena and Santa Marta, the first areas settled by the Europeans.

The natural region is traversed by rivers that flow from the Andean highlands and empty into the Caribbean Sea, including the Magdalena, Colombia's principal waterway.

Ecosystems include humid forests, dry forests, savannas, wetlands, the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountain range and the Guajira Desert.

The Caribbean coast has a hot and humid climate year-round. The average temperature is 27 °C (81 °F), and the average humidity is 80%. The wet season runs from May to November, and the dry season runs from December to April.

Pacific/Chocó Region

The Pacific/Chocó Natural Region, also known as the "Colombian Chocó," comprises an area of approximately 75,000 sq km (29,000 sq mi) on the west coast of Colombia. The terrain is mostly flat and covered by dense rainforests, rivers, swamps, and mangroves. Some areas experience rainfall rates that are among the highest in the world.

The Pacific Ocean borders the region on the west and the Cordillera Occidental of the Colombian Andes to the east. To the south is the border with Peru. To the north is the Darién Gap and the border with Panama.

Ecologically, the region belongs entirely to the Chocó Biogeographic Region and is part of the Tumbes-Chocó-Magdalena hotspot. Due to a combination of evolutionary, ecological, climatic, and geologic factors, this region presents the highest biodiversity concentration per area in the world.

Between 7,000 and 8,000 of the 45,000 species registered in Colombia are found in the Chocó. Endemic plant species total more than 2,000, while endemic birds comprise more than 100 species, representing the highest endemism levels on the planet.

The Pacific coast has a warm and humid climate year-round. The average temperature is 26 °C (79 °F), and the average humidity is 85%. The wet season runs from May to November, and the dry season runs from December to April.

Andean Region

The Andean Natural Region is the most populated natural region of Colombia. Along with its many mountains, it contains most of the country's urban centers. These urban centers were also the location of the most significant pre-Columbian indigenous settlements.

The Andean region also hosts a significant portion of the Magdalena River and basin, the most important in Colombia regarding economic and environmental significance.

North of the Colombian Massif in the extreme southwest, the Colombian Andes divide into three parallel mountain chains:

Cordillera Occidental: the western range runs adjacent to the Pacific coast and is home to the city of Cali
Cordillera Central: the middle range runs up the center of the country between the Cauca and Magdalena river valleys
Cordillera Oriental: the eastern range extends northeast towards the Guajira Peninsula and includes the cities of Bogotá, Bucaramanga, and Cúcuta

The Andes Mountains have a cooler climate than the coast, with temperatures varying depending on the altitude. The average temperature in the temperate zone is 18 °C (64 °F), and the average temperature in the cold zone is 13 °C (55 °F). The wet season runs from April to May and October to November, and the dry season runs from December to January and July to August.

Orinoco Region

The Orinoco (or Orinoquía) Natural Region is part of the Llanos, a vast tropical grassland plain situated east of the Andes. The region belongs to the Orinoco River watershed.

The sparsely populated region is rich in oil and suitable for extensive ranching. The region's ecosystems are tropical savanna with gallery forests and wetlands along the rivers.

Amazon Region

The Amazon Natural Region is located in southern Colombia and the Amazon Basin. Mostly covered by tropical rainforest, it covers approximately 35% of Colombia's territory.

The region is bounded west by the Cordillera Oriental of the Colombian Andes and extends to the Venezuelan and Brazilian borders in the east.

The Amazon rainforest has a hot and humid climate year-round. The average temperature is 27 °C (81 °F), and the average humidity is 90%. The wet season runs from October to May, and the dry season runs from June to September.

Insular Region

Some consider the Insular Region not a natural but a geopolitical region of Colombia. It comprises the areas outside the continental territories of the country, some of which are sometimes classified with the Caribbean Natural Region instead.

The Insular Region includes the Archipelago of San Andres, Providencia and Santa Catalina in the Caribbean Sea, Malpelo Island, and Gorgona Island in the Pacific Ocean.

Its subregions include other groups of islands:

Archipiélago de San Bernardo (in the Morrosquillo Gulf, Caribbean).
Islas del Rosario (Caribbean)
Isla Fuerte (Caribbean)
Isla Barú (Caribbean)
Isla Tortuguilla (Caribbean)
Isla Tierra Bomba (Caribbean)

_{Map depicting the natural regions of Colombia}

Mountain Ranges

The mountain ranges of Colombia contribute to the country's diverse landscapes and ecological importance and offer outdoor activities, research, and exploration opportunities. They showcase the remarkable geographical features and natural beauty that make Colombia a unique and fascinating country.

See more: Mountain Ranges of Colombia

Islands and Archipelagos

Colombia has many islands and archipelagos in the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean. These islands vary in size, culture, and natural beauty. Each destination has its unique charm, from pristine beaches and vibrant marine life to historical sites and cultural experiences.

See more: Islands and Archipelagos of Colombia

Bodies of Water

The bodies of water of Colombia contribute to the country's diverse natural beauty, provide vital resources, and support a variety of ecosystems and human activities. They offer opportunities for tourism, recreation, and exploring Colombia's rich aquatic environments.

See more: Water Bodies of Colombia

Administrative Divisions

Colombia comprises 32 departments and a Capital District. A grouping of municipalities forms departments. Each department has a capital, a Governor, and an Assembly.

See more: Cultural Landscape of Colombia

_{Colombia physiographic map}

Biomes

Colombia's complex climate, soil, and topography pattern have produced an extraordinary range of plants and plant communities.

They range from the mangrove swamps of the coasts, the desert scrub of La Guajira, the savanna grasslands and gallery ecosystems of the Atlantic lowlands and the Llanos, the rainforests of the Amazon and Chocó natural regions to the widely diverse and complex montane ecosystems of the Andean slopes.

Moist Forest: tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests
Dry Forest: tropical and subtropical dry broadleaf forests
Grasslands: tropical and subtropical grasslands, savannas, and shrublands
Montane Grasslands: montane grasslands and shrublands
Desert: deserts and Xeric shrublands
Mangroves

Ecosystems

Páramo
Upper Montane Forest
Lower Montane Forest
Dry Forest of the inter-Andean Valleys
Savanna of the Llanos Oriental
Amazonian Rainforest and other lowlands

Ecological Regions

The following is a list of terrestrial ecoregions in Colombia, as defined by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF).

Colombia is in the Neotropical realm. Ecoregions are classified by biome type - the major global plant communities determined by rainfall and climate.