ColombiaLand of Diversity

5 Main Regions Andean highlands

Caribbean lowlands

Pacific lowlands

Orinoco savanna

Amazon rainforest

Andean Highlands Andes Mountains divide into three

parallel chains called cordilleras (5,700 m).

Extend from Equator almost to the Caribbean Sea.

peaks permanently covered with snow

Areas below the peaks provide fertile farmland and pleasant living conditions.

78% of Colombians live here.

Snow-covered Andean peaks

Fertile areas below peaks

Bogota Largest city in Colombia

(area and population)

Population: 7.3 million

Cultural, political, economic center of Colombia

First inhabited by Chibcha people

Caribbean Lowlands Popular tourist area at

base of Andes between Venezuela and Caribbean Sea.

Most ports are located here.

Nearly all imports come through this area.

Pacific Lowlands Western part bordering Pacific

ocean

Most geographically complex area

Mostly jungle, swamp mixed with Andes mountains

Few inhabitants

Orinoco Savanna

Large area of Colombia with few inhabitants

Home to Llanos plains

Most Colombians know very little about this area…viewed as an alien land.

Similar to African savanna area.

Amazon Rainforest Dense jungle

Diverse animal, plant life

Shares similar characteristics of larger Amazon rainforest region.

Climate Differences in climate result of elevation (Andes

mountains). Climate remains constant throughout the year

(equator). 5 levels of climate

tierra caliente (hot area) tierra templada (temperate area) tierra fría (cold area) puna (mountainous areas) tierra helada (permanent-snow area)

Climate Zones

tierra caliente (hot country) 86% of land area

Huge amounts of rainfall

Mostly rainforest

tierra templada (temperate country) 8% of land area

Separate wet and dry seasons

Moderate rainfall

Good for agriculture

tierra fría (cold country)

6% of land area

Most populated zone

Approximately 25% of population

Major cities are found here

puna (mountainous areas)

Few inhabitants

beautiful, cold, harsh, mountainous climate

no agriculture

tierra helada (permanent snow) No inhabitants

Few animal, plant life

Permanent cold, snow

Ethnic Groups and Climate Columbia’s diverse and rugged geography

has produced several distinct cultural groups.  Costeño from the Caribbean lowlands

Caucano in the Pacific lowlands

Llanero from the Orinoco savanna

Each group has distinctive characteristics, accents, customs, social patterns, and forms of cultural adaptation to climate and geography that differentiates it from other groups.

Despite rapid modernization, these groups maintain their ethnic identities.

Vegetation Elevation influences vegetation patterns in Colombia.

On a separate sheet of paper, answer the following questions. This assignment is due before the end of class.

List the 5 climate zones according to temperature (from hottest to coldest).

Which climate zone contains the most people? Why is this?

What affect does Colombia’s climate have on its people?

Which climate zone would support bananas, rice, and sugar cane?

Describe in your own words the story of Colombia’s 40- year war.