The Most Complete Electronic Guide to Colombia

Colombia consists of a vast territory of 1'143,748 km² land and  828,660 km² of three big areas: the Amazon Rain Forest area that made 50% of its land territory and is divided in the Eastern Plains (Llanos Orientales) and Amazons (Amazonía); the Andean Ranges with the Pacific and Atlantic coastlands at the northwest of the country and the Sea Territories in both oceans with their islands. Colombia has land borders with Venezuela and Brazil to the east, Peru and Ecuador to the south and Panama to the west. By sea Colombia has borders with Jamaica, Haiti, Dominican Republic, Honduras, Nicaragua and Costa Rica.

50% of the Colombian territory belongs to the Amazon Region. The Region is divided in the Western Plains (Llanos Orientales or the Basin of the Orinoco River) and the Amazon to the south until the Amazon Trapeze touching the Amazon River. Both regions have the lowest concentration of the Colombian population. Located at the east of the Andean Ranges, both are extensive plains with some altitudes. The most important is National Park of Macarena Mountain (Sierra de la Macarena). There are many other national parks among the forest with precious species of animals and plants. The Amazon regions are the natural environment of many indigenous peoples, some of them Nomadic and all of them have their own languages. The access to those regions, specially the southern ones, is made by airplanes and boats through the rivers. Roads are not yet developed.

Colombia has also a big share in the Caribbean Region to the north. There is an islander state, the San Andrés y Providencia Archipelago State, its northern territory that is located just in front of the costs of Nicaragua. The Caribbean Region is also an extensive plain but it has very important mountain systems like the Santa Marta Snow Mountain (Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta) that is the highest altitude of Colombia and the world highest mountain so near to the Ocean: with more than 5,000 meters, it is located just 40 kilometers far from the sea coast. The Caribbean Region is divided in sub-regions: the Plain of the southern states of Córdoba and Sucre (Sabana de Córdoba y Sucre). The middle with the main cities of Cartagena de Indias, Barranquilla and Santa Marta. And the Guahira Peninsula at the north. The Caribbean region of Colombia is one of the main Colombian spots for tourists .

Colombia has also a big share in the Pacific Ocean that makes the Pacific Region. This region is one of the most beautiful and natural of Colombia, with one important forest, Darien, that is shared with Panama. Darien is the forest that interrupts the Pan-American Road, a highway that crosses the Americas from Alaska to Fire Land. All the Pacific Region is a forest, from the border with Panama to the border with Ecuador. The main cities in the region are Quibdó, Buenaventura and Tumaco. There are many beaches that are frequently visited due to their natural views. Access to the region is limited and the best way is going by plane. The region is also the natural environment of the Afro-Colombian people and many Indigenous groups.

Colombia is also crossed by the Andean Mountain Ranges. The Andes is a big chain of mountains that crosses the South American Continent from Fire Land to the south of Argentina and Chile, by the west coast of the Continent to the north crossing Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia and Venezuela. The majority of the Colombians live in the Andean region. It is also the place of the biggest urban centers: Bogotá, Medellín, Cali, Bucaramanga, Cúcuta, Manizales, Pereira, Popayán, San Juan de Pasto and Ibagué.