Andean natural region

The Andes region, located in the center of Colombia, is the most populated region of Colombia. With many mountains  contains the majority of the country's urban centers. They were also the location of the most significant pre-Columbian  indigenous settlements. Beyond the Colombian Massif in the south-western departments of Cauca and Nariño, the Colombian Andes divide into three branches known as "cordilleras" (from the Spanish for mountain range): the West Andes run adjacent to the Pacific coast and is home to the city of Cali.  The Central Andes run up the center of the country between the Cauca and Magdalena river valleys (to the west and east respectively) and includes the cities of Medellín, Manizales and Pereira.  The East Andes extend northeast towards the Guajira Peninsula, and includes the cities of Bogotá, Bucaramanga and Cúcuta.

The climate and vegetation of the region vary considerably according to altitude, but as a general rule the land can be divided into the tierra caliente (hot land) of river valleys and basins below 1,000 m; the more temperate conditions of the tierra templada (temperate land, approximately 1,000 m to 2,000 m) and tierra fría (cold land, 2,000 m to 3,200 m), which include the most productive land and the majority of the population; and the alpine conditions of the zona forestada (forested zone, 3,200 m to 3,900 m), páramos (3,900 m to 4,600 m) and tierra helada (frozen land, 4,600 m and above).

Biogeographical subregions

 Pasto Massif
 Colombian Massif
 West Andes
 Central Andes
 East Andes
 Cauca River Valley
 Magdalena River Valley

Biodiversity

Protected areas

West Andes from south to north:  Munchique, Farallones de Cali, Tatamá, Las Orquideas, Paramillo

See also
 West Andes
 Central Andes
 East Andes
 Paisa Region

References

Category:Andean forests
Category:Natural regions of Colombia
Category:Tropical Andes