Colombia Land 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 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.