Colombian Natural Destinations

Colombia occupies the second place among the top ten most
biodiverse countries in the World.

This diversity relates with the ecosystem variety linked to the Colombia’s privileged geography. Colombia has coasts on two oceans, and the Andean mountain range crosses the country from south to north. Placed in the tropics, in the northwestern corner of South America, it connects with the Caribbean, Central America and the Pacific.

The Andes enters Colombia from the south, and it splits into three chains of mountains: Western, Central and Eastern. They form large corridors of biological exchange with the inter-Andean valleys.

The Andes’ wide altitudinal variation, its great variety of soils, and the presence of big topographical barriers, also contribute to the emergence of the huge biodiversity of Colombia.

Finally, compared to the other tropical areas, glaciations and alternating cycles of climatic events, particularly during the Quaternary (2.4 million years ago), had unique effects on the natural environment of Colombia.

Ecosystems of Colombia

The diversity embedded in the complex geography of Colombia, becomes tangible in the richness and variety of landscapes of its territory.

You will find all the biggest ecosystems of the continent in Colombia: Andean mountains, Amazon jungle, Tropical savannas, and the Caribbean and Pacific basins.

Among them, there are 91 different ecosystems distributed in the continental, marine, coastal, insular and aquatic areas of the country.

Ecotourism

There are hundreds of travelers, explorers and foreign scientists who, recorded their fascination with Colombia’s nature in scientific observations, or in diverse expressions of fantasy which generates awe in the cultured mind.

Ecotourism is an economic alternative for communities living close to biodiversity-rich areas, helping to conserve nature. When it is developed by local guides, it directly supports local people and communities, helps to preserve local biodiversity, and nurture the emerging conservation conscience in the population of Colombia.

Our Natural Regions

Colombia is divided into six natural regions constituted by differences in topography, weather, vegetation and types of soil: the Andean Region, covering the three branches of the Andes mountains; 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 the Insular Region, comprising islands in both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.