Striking Geography Throughout The Santa Marta Region Inspires Fun And Adventure.Geography of The Santa Marta Region
A map of Colombia will show that the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta is very unique rising from the coast to close to 19,000 feet (5800) meters, making it the highest coastal mountain range in the world. Although Santa Marta was founded in 1525 it has never developed at the rate of much of the world, the result is region that still retains much of it's natural beauty. Undeveloped but progressive, Colombians love nature and respect their history, they are not quick to bulldoze their neighborhoods and their past. The natural beauty of this regions geography makes it well worth taking care of. Geography Highlights and Aerial Maps of Santa Marta
The geography of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta covers an area of 6,500 square miles, is the source of 36 rivers flowing down from the range and includes the departments of Cesar, Magdalena and Guajira. Pico Cristobal Colon and Pico Simon Bolivar are the two tallest peaks in the range both being slightly less than 19,000 feet making it the 5th most prominent summit in the world. This is a separate range from the Andes Mountains and is completely surrounded by land below the altitude of roughly 700 feet. In this region you will find The Lost City known as Ciudad Perdida discovered in 1976. This area is unique in the world, when you are touring around the area you might want to break away for a day or two in order to get to see some Jungle Animals not very far from the city. The Caribbean Sea crosses the northern shore of Colombia from the bordering countries of Panama and Venezuela, Water temperatures range from 77˚F (25˚C) to 82˚F (28˚C) so the swimming is warm all year and add to the enjoyment of the beaches and parks. This area along the coast was a major route for Pirates and was known in the past as the Spanish Main, with a long history of treasure, sunken ships and of golden cargo.
Cienaga Grande de Santa Marta Biosphere Reserve (great marsh or wetland). The Rio Magdalena (Magdalena River), Colombia's largest river at about 950 miles in length and the countries largest marine transportation waterway stretching from the Andes to the Caribbean. Guajira-Barranquilla xeric scrub (small plants, stunted forests in a low moisture region) are along the coast from Barranquilla to the Guajira Peninsula, Sinú Valley dry forests, up to an elevation of about 1600 feet. Santa Marta montane forests from 1600 to 2600 feet. Cloud forests above 3,300 to 11,000 feet, frequent fog and mists. These regions are cool so prepare. Santa Marta Páramo 11,000 to 15,000+ feet, this is the last band of vegetation, shrubs and grass and marshes before the permanent snow cap. Only Wim Hof, the famous ice man walks around in shorts and a tee shirt up here. A nice trip for the day is to the town of Aracataca but more famously known as Macondo, this is the childhood home of Gabriel Garcia Marquez who wrote the novel One Hundred Years of Solitude, when you visit the town you feel a part of history, so mark it on your agenda. The bus leaves Santa Marta for Aracataca every hour and it's a nice hour and a half trip, if you plan on taking photos from the bus window on the way there make sure you sit on the right side of the bus as on the left side your shots are into the sun, reverse for the trip back. The Mamancana natural reserve: hiking, mountain biking, a great place to be outdoors. El Rodadero: This is where Colombians go for their vacation,loads of fun, plenty to do, safe and secure.
Santa Marta geography, 750 miles (1200 km) from the equator (11˚ north latitude ) and it's elevation varies from sea level to close to 19,000 feet in about 30 miles. The higher you go the lower the temperature gets, by an average of 3.3˚F per 1000 feet. so although it's located close to the equator, it can be both hot or cool depending on where you are. From certain areas along the Tropical Caribbean coastline you can see snow capped mountains, where else can you see something like that? The village of Taganga over the hill from Santa Marta, on the shores of the Caribbean and the foothills of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. This is a small fishing village that still fishes the old traditional way, also a good place to go scuba diving with a number of companies operating in Taganga. Plenty of backpackers and tourists passing through. The town of Minca, at around 2000 feet is well known for it's fine birdwatching, a great variety of bird species, some not found anywhere else in the world. This is a stopover destination for migratory birds from the United States and Canada. Colombia offers a geography that is rugged, beautiful, wild and tranquil, when you decide to visit the Santa Marta region prepare to be surprised. For other unique travel destinations and methods of travel. Discover The GardenRoute - South Africa Connecticut tourism Backpack-And-Gear Return from Geography to Santa Marta Travel Guide |