1. Colombia Land of Diversity

2. 5 Main Regions Andean highlands Caribbean lowlands Pacific lowlands
Orinoco savanna
Amazon rainforest

3. 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.

4. Snow-covered Andean peaks
Fertile areas below peaks

5. Bogota Largest city in Colombia (area and population)
Population: 7.3 million
Cultural, political, economic center of Colombia
First inhabited by Chibcha people

6. 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.

7. Pacific Lowlands Western part bordering Pacific ocean
Most geographically complex area
Mostly jungle, swamp mixed with Andes mountains
Few inhabitants

8. 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.

9. Amazon Rainforest Dense jungle Diverse animal, plant life
Shares similar characteristics of larger Amazon rainforest region.

10. 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)

11. Climate Zones

12. tierra caliente (hot country)
86% of land area
Huge amounts of rainfall
Mostly rainforest

13. tierra templada (temperate country)
8% of land area
Separate wet and dry seasons
Moderate rainfall
Good for agriculture

14. tierra fría (cold country)
6% of land area
Most populated zone
Approximately 25% of population
Major cities are found here

15. puna (mountainous areas)
Few inhabitants
beautiful, cold, harsh, mountainous climate
no agriculture

16. tierra helada (permanent snow)
No inhabitants
Few animal, plant life
Permanent cold, snow

17. 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

18. 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.

19. Vegetation
Elevation influences vegetation patterns in Colombia.

20. 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.