No longer a destination for just daredevils, this extraordinary country has battled decades of civil turmoil to emerge as one of South America’s hottest new destinations. It is jammed with
unspoilt mountains, coastline and jungle, not to mention stunning archaeological sites and vibrant
culture.
Ten years ago, Colombia was famous only for its drug dealers, left-wing guerrilla groups and paramilitaries. But with the militant groups now at their weakest point in decades, this beautiful country is enjoying a travel renaissance with more and more tourists emboldened to visit.
And they are finding
much to explore. Natural attractions include rippling mountains, expanses of the
Amazon Basin, large lakes, vast plains and a
Caribbean coastline that twinkles with azure water. Meanwhile man-made wonders include
lost cities, fabulous pre-Columbian sculpture and colorful
colonial houses adorn the towns.
Until now, Colombia has received relatively few travelers in comparison with other South American nations, and visitors can expect an unfeigned welcome and genuine curiosity from its people.
GeographyColombia is situated in South America, bordered by the Caribbean and the Pacific Ocean, Panama, Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela and Brazil. The Andes Mountains extend into the country in three ranges running south to north, dipping finally into the lowlands of the Caribbean coast.
Along the southern Pacific coast run marshy lowlands and rugged low mountains. The southwestern coastal lowlands extend in a trough running from the port of Buenaventura to the Caribbean. East of this rise the slopes of the Western Cordillera which, with the Central Cordillera range, runs north to the Caribbean lowlands from Ecuador. Further north lies the fertile Cauca Valley, which becomes a deep gorge running between the Cordilleras to the Caribbean lowlands.
The Eastern Cordillera, the longest range, rises north of the Ecuadorean border and runs north then northeast towards Venezuela. Flat grassy prairies in the east along with the jungles and towering rainforests of the Amazon make up over half the country’s area. Colombia also claims two small islands, San Andrés and Providencia, located 700km (430 miles) north of the coast.
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