Colombia is one of the most popular countries to visited by backpackers. This is because it is the second-most diverse country in the world with two oceans (yes, you heard it right!), bustling cities, varying climates, unique wildlife and along with that you can find plenty of watersports to do here!
Where is Colombia located?
Colombia is also known as the ‘Gateway to South America’ by the locals. So, simply it is a country located at the uppermost tip of South America. It has the Caribbean Sea in the north and the Pacific Ocean in the west to give its visitors two amazing coastal experiences. It is also surrounded by Ecuador and Peru in the south, Venezuela in the east, Panama in the northwest while on the southeast you can see Brazil.
Colombia covers an area of 1,141,748 km2 with a population of 51 million and consists of 32 departments. The largest city which is known as Bogota is serving as the capital of the country and it is located at an altitude of over 2600 meters above sea level in the highlands of the Andes Mountain Range.
What is the geography of Colombia?
The geography of Colombia is one of the most unique as it is defined by six natural regions starting from the Andes Mountain range, Caribbean Coastal region, Pacific Coastal region to the Amazon Rainforest, Llano’s plains and some islands which belongs to both the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans.
You can also see that is a part of the Ring of Fire, which is an area that is having frequent volcanic eruptions and earthquakes. People are living in these areas as well but that is less than 7% of the population living in Colombia.
On the other hand, there is the Caribbean Coastal region which is highly populated having about 22% of the population and though this area is considered to be a lowland with busy port cities, it also is home to the tallest mountains in Colombia- the Pico Cristóbal Colón and Pico Simón Bolívar. When considering the Pacific Coastal region, it is less populated and you can see diverse flora in the area, making it a perfect destination if you are a nature lover who loves peace and seclusion.
What is the climate of Colombia?
Colombia is located on the equator and therefore, it has a tropical climate most of the time with varying weather conditions. The temperatures in the coastal areas are generally high, rising to 30°C but when you go up to the Andes Mountain Range the temperatures fall below 15°C.
However, when considering the different seasons, the best time to visit Columbia would be from December to March when the weather is warm but comfortable. You can spend several days enjoying the beach, do some hiking and even visit the Amazon Rainforest. The offseason would be from October to November as there are heavy rainfalls in Colombia during this time making it difficult to engage in any sort of outdoor activities.
