Colombia is a land of extremes and a paradise for diverse animal and plant life in South America. The Andean country is home to some of the most magnificent natural scenery you wouldn’t get anywhere else.
Map of Colombia
Key geography facts
1. Colombia is known as the “gateway to South America” due to its strategic position in the continent’s northwestern part, connecting South America with Central and North America.
2. The Andes Mountains, the world’s longest mountain range, dominate western Colombia and are divided into three branches: Cordillera Central, Cordillera Oriental, and Cordillera Occidental.
3. Colombia has a variety of extreme landscapes, including the snow-capped Andes, coral reefs, vast grassland plains (Los Llanos), dense rainforests in the Amazon Basin, and deserts in the northern region.
4. Pico Cristóbal Colón, located in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, is the highest peak in Colombia, reaching 18,947 ft (5,775 m).
5. Colombia is listed as one of the world’s few “megadiverse” countries, which means it has some of the highest levels of biodiversity (animals and plants) per square mile.
Recommended reading: Fun Facts About Colombia
Colombia regions
Colombia is divided into 32 administrative divisions:
- Amazonas
- Antioquia
- Arauca
- Atlántico
- Bogotá D.C.
- Bolivar
- Boyacá
- Caldas
- Caquetá
- Casanare
- Cauca
- Cesar
- Chocó
- Córdoba
- Cundinamarca
- Guainía
- Guaviare
- Huila
- La Guajira
- Magdalena
- Meta
- Nariño
- Norte de Santander
- Putumayo
- Quindío
- Risaralda
- Santander
- Sucre
- Tolima
- Vaupés
- Vichada
- Valle del Cauca
Map of Colombia in South America
Colombia is bordered by Brazil, Ecuador, Panama, Peru and Venezuela.
Colombia major cities
Bogotá – The capital and largest city, known as the political, economic, and cultural heart of Colombia.
Medellín – The second-largest city, famous for its innovation, pleasant climate, and as a major industrial and economic center.
Cali – Known as the “Salsa Capital of the World,” this city is a major transportation center and popular tourist locale in southwestern Colombia.
Barranquilla – A key port city on the Caribbean coast, famous for its vibrant Barranquilla Carnival and as an industrial center.
Cartagena – A historic coastal city known for its extensive fortifications in South America and as a beach destination.
Soledad – A rapidly growing city near Barranquilla, known for its growing residential areas and as a commercial and manufacturing center.
Santa Marta – A coastal city in the Caribbean that offers a variety of beautiful beaches, known for its proximity to the Sierra Nevada mountains, and gateway to Tayrona National Park.
Villavicencio – The gateway to the Llanos region, known for its agriculture and as a hub for eco-tourism and outdoor activities.
Valledupar – Renowned for its music and cultural significance, Valledupar has one of the most important musical festivals in Colombia called the Vallenato Legend Festival.
Bello – A city in the Medellín metropolitan area known for its industrial activities and growing population.
Montería – Located in the Caribbean region, known for its cattle ranching industry and the Sinú River.
San Juan de Pasto – The capital of Nariño, known for its cultural festivals, such as the Black and White Carnival, and for its surrounding agricultural and gold-mining area.
Buenaventura – Colombia’s main port on the Pacific coast, crucial for international trade and known for its vibrant Afro-Colombian culture.
Bucaramanga – Recognized as the City of Parks, Bucaramanga is filled with parks and greenery, situated on the slopes of the Andes.
Pereira – Renowned for its coffee culture, with a fishing and hunting preserve and a ski resort nearby.
Manizales is part of Colombia’s most important coffee-growing district and is known for its universities and mountainous landscapes.
Neiva – The capital of Huila on the upper Magdalena River, known for its role in agriculture and its proximity to the Tatacoa Desert.
Palmira – A city in the Valle del Cauca department known as the “agricultural capital of Colombia”, Palmira grows coffee, tobacco, and grains, among other produce.
Armenia – Armenia, along with Manizales and Pereira, is part of the “Coffee Triangle”, a zone for endless coffee plantations, and feels more like a big town than a departmental capital.
Ibagué – Located in the Andean region, known for its musical heritage and as a growing economic center in central Colombia.
Other major cities in Colombia (with 100,000 population or more): Riohacha, Sincelejo, Popayán, Itagüí, Floridablanca, Envigado, Tuluá, Tumaco, Dosquebradas, Tunja, San Juan de Girón, Apartadó, Uribia, Barrancabermeja, Florencia, Turbo, Maicao, Piedecuesta, Yopal, Ipiales, Fusagasugá, Facatativá, Chía, Cartago, Pitalito, Zipaquirá, Jamundí, Malambo, Rionegro, Yumbo, Magangué, Santa Cruz de Lorica, Caucasia, Manaure, Quibdó, Guadalajara de Buga, Duitama, Sogamoso, Tierralta, Girardot, Ciénaga, Sabanalarga and Ocaña.
Caitriona Maria is an education writer and owner of The Facts Institute. A teacher for seven years, she has been committed to providing students with the best learning opportunities possible, both domestically and abroad. Dedicated to unlocking students' potential, Caitriona has taught English in several countries and continues to explore new cultures through her travels.