Administrative Map of Colombia
Map of Colombia in blue silhouette
Road Map of Colombia
Outline Map of Colombia
Realistic 3D Map of Colombia
This article explores the country that is located on the north side of South America which is Colombia. Colombia is officially known as the Republic of Colombia. Out of all the countries, Colombia is the one that is the largest in the north of South America. It is bordered by a variety of countries from all sides of the country. On the north of Colombia is the Caribbean Sea and on the northwest side, it is bordered by Panama. On the south side of Colombia, it is bordered by two countries that are Peru as well as Ecuador.
By the east, it is bordered by Venezuela and Brazil is located on the South East of Colombia. Colombia is one of those rare countries that consist of the rainforest, grasslands, highlands, desserts, and islands. It is the only country in South America that has its coastlines along both the Pacific Ocean as well as the Atlantic Ocean. The capital of the country is Bogota which may not be the biggest city of the country but it is a planned and manageable city that acquires the attention of the tourists because of the way that it has been kept.
Landscape
The physical variety of landscape that is available in Colombia is rarely found in any other country. On one hand, it has a rugged topography while on the other hand, it is closer to the equator therefore, there is a diversity of climate and soils in Colombia. The country is dominated by highlands, coastal lowlands as well as the forests. One of the greatest mountain ranges that are found on the Western side of the country is known as The Andean Cordillera.
This is usually crowded because a large population resides on this side of the country. Other than this, there are three other ranges as well that are parallel to each other and are on the Northern side of the country where it borders with Ecuador. One of the three ranges is the Cordillera Occidental which is the Western Range running parallel to the Pacific Coast. The second range is the Cordillera Central which is known as the Central range and the third range is the Cordillera oriental which is known as the Eastern range.
Out of all these ranges, the lowest one is the Cordillera Occidental and is also the non-volcanic ones as compared to the other ranges. On the other hand, the highest among them is the Cordillera Central which is also a volcanic structure. The coastal lowlands consist of the great river valleys that form a part of Colombia. These river valleys are known as Magdalena and Cauca.
Climate
Since Colombia is very close to the equator, there are very few seasonal variations in the country. The climate in the country is generally tropical and the changes in temperature are minimal. The only factor that varies throughout the year is the level of rainfall. The temperature in the area greatly depends on the altitude, winds, and rainfall. The climate in Colombia differs according to the natural region, for instance, the level of rainfall throughout the year in the tropical rainforest, and the North Pacific coast is more than 2500 mm and the temperature throughout the year is usually above 23 degrees Celsius.
On the other hand, in the lowlands of Colombia, the dry season stretches from November till April and the wet season is from May to October. However, these months don’t need to be fixed, there may be certain intervals as well. The dry season is usually accompanied by wind and dust but they do not bring about any variations in the temperature. In the highlands of Colombia, the temperature varies greatly due to the altitude that is a 0.6 degrees Celsius decrease in the temperature with every 100 m rise in altitude.
In the highlands, the average precipitation is approximately 223 days throughout the year which is around 1000 mm that is evenly distributed. Since there is significant rainfall throughout the year, there are a few months with little or no rainfall known as the dry season. Despite the dry season, there is not much influence on the climate of the country.
The average climate in the country is approximately 24.5 degrees Celsius. Snow is not very common in Colombia because it is a warm season. The average snow in the United States is approximately 28 inches but the level of snow that is observed in Colombia is approximately one inch throughout the year. The number of sunny days is almost 217 in the entire year making it a warm country in general.
Flag of Colombia
Importance of Flags in general
Flags are an important element of any country. This is because they add to the identification of that particular country. Not only the country but also the people of the country consider the flag of the country as a source of their identification and recognition. Every flag comprises certain colours, shapes or symbols that play a significant part in the meanings and the messages that a particular flag conveys. All flags have a different story to tell.
The appearance of the flag
The appearance of the flag of Colombia is very colourful. It consists of horizontal lines that are of three different colours, yellow, blue and red. The yellow stripe takes half of the space of the flag while the rest two colours take a quarter of the space. The horizontal stripes beginning from the top of the flag have a ratio of 2:1:1.
There has not been a clear justification of what the different colours of the flag symbolise however, there are different interpretations about this. One interpretation is that the yellow colour in the flag that comprises most of the area represents the rich in the country.
This means the wealth of the soil of the country, justice, harmony as well as light. The blue part of the flag represents the water or the rivers that flow through the country. It represents the sea on the shores of Colombia as well as the sky above. The colour at the bottom is red which also takes a quarter of the space of the flag. It represents the victory of the people of Colombia and the blood that has been spilled by them for the independence of their country. Red also represents the determination and courage of the people of Colombia.
Some other interpretations show that the yellow colour symbolises sovereignty, blue represents loyalty and red colour is for the victory of the battles that the people of Colombia have achieved.
Variations in flags of Colombia
Different flags have been used in the past for different categories, for instance, the civil flag of the country, the presidential flag, naval flag and the military flag of the country are all different from one another.
The background colours remain the same but the position and the size of the logo keeps on changing. The flag of Colombia is very similar to that of the flag of Granada. However, the only difference between the flags is that the flag of Granada has three vertical stripes and the flag of Colombia has three horizontal stripes. The colours of the flag remain the same but in the flag of Colombia, the order of the colours is yellow, blue and red from top to bottom and in the flag of Granada, the order to colours is red, blue and yellow from left to right.
Places to Visit in Colombia
A lot of countries have been engaged in different activities like drug abuse but Colombia is one of those countries that is heading towards a positive as well a prosperous future. It is one of the best places to visit as it comprises a little bit of everything starting from snow-capped peaks to tropical rainforests, Caribbean coasts and not to forget the two desserts that have plenty of sunshine. Other than this, there are a variety of spectacular attractions that can be visited with friends as well as with family and are not to be missed. Not only this but also the people of Colombia are known for the hospitality that they show towards the tourists. This hospitality will allow you to return to Colombia again and again even if you do not wish to.
Cartagena
One of these beautiful attractions in Colombia is Cartagena which is one of those rare colonial destinations that have been preserved in the best condition up till now. This is a historic walled city which will take you back to the ancient, historic era and refresh your memories of the past.
If you are a history lover who is amazed by the historical monuments as well as the artefacts, this is the best place for you to go. The walls are full of colonial architecture. These buildings have now been turned into beautiful hotels and restaurants which are worth visiting. Other than the beautiful architecture, only half an hour away, there are islands and beaches that can be visited via boat. The boat rides to the beach are an adventure that is not to be missed.
Medellin
Medellin is one of the cities of Colombia that was previously known to be one of the most dangerous cities of the country but now it has earned the reputation and popularity for a city that is different from all the other cities of the country. The city is characterised by a wide metro bus system which is not only attractive but also has made transport easier for the residents of the city as well as for the tourists. All the places are now accessible through the metro bus network which was previously inaccessible. Other than this, the highlight of Medellin is the belt of green parks that consist of a variety of lush green trees and bushes that not only add to the beauty of the city but also help to improve the weather conditions of the city.
Other than the eco-parks, there is a range of libraries and neighbourhoods in Medellin which also capture the attention of the tourists. If you are a passionate reader and interested in different books, then this place is a must for you because these libraries contain a variety of books ranging from the ancient literature to the contemporary one. Celebrate the entire day with your family at the Medellin enjoying one activity after the other as there is a little bit of everything for everyone.
Eje Cafetero
This region in Colombia is known for the variety of coffee plantations. This later spreads to the different operations that are carried out in all parts of the country. If anyone is interested in the manufacturing and production process, a day at the Eje Cafetero is the solution for it as the guides here describe the entire process to the tourists in order to satisfy their cravings.
Festivals in Colombia
Just like many other countries, Colombia is also known for the variety of festivals that take place in the country. One of these is the Carnival del Diablo. This is celebrated twice a year and only on the odd numbers of the years. It consists of a variety of feasts that are prepared and exchanged between the families. People wear different costumes and perform dances, enjoy music and poetry. The festivities of this particular event end when the devil is burned.
Another festival that is of utmost significance in Colombia is Barranquilla Carnival. This carnival stretches up to three days before the Lent season which is the six week period of Christian fasts. In the carnival, the participants dress up in different costumes and take part in a grand parade that is held at the festival. Other than this, salsa music is played and people take part in rumba dancing. There are food and refreshments. People enjoy the festivals to the fullest with their friends and family every year.
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