plACE ACCORDING TO cOLOMBIA
This map of Colombia illustrates the diverse climate and landscapes that are present in Colombia. They range from the Andes Mountains, to the Caribbean Coast, Pacific Coast, Plains of Orinoco and the forests of the Amazon. The differences in altitudes among all the physical regions in Colombia make it have a wide variety of climates.
(2014). Geography & Climate. Retrieved from http://www.colombiainfo.org/en-us/colombia/geographyandclimate.aspx
(2014). Geography & Climate. Retrieved from http://www.colombiainfo.org/en-us/colombia/geographyandclimate.aspx
This map shows the physical geography of Colombia and the mountain ranges that go across the country. It shows the variations in elevation of the regions within Colombia.
Physical Map of Colombia. Retrieved from http://www.mapsofworld.com/physical-map/colombia.html
Physical Map of Colombia. Retrieved from http://www.mapsofworld.com/physical-map/colombia.html
This map illustrates the various languages that exist in Colombia. Spanish is the principal language in Colombia but this map illustrates that many indigenous languages exist. This map represents culture in Colombia.
Lewis, M. Paul, Gary F. Simons, and Charles D. Fennig (eds.). 2014. Ethnologue: Languages of the World, Seventeenth edition. Dallas, Texas: SIL International. Online version: http://www.ethnologue.com/map/CO_n
Lewis, M. Paul, Gary F. Simons, and Charles D. Fennig (eds.). 2014. Ethnologue: Languages of the World, Seventeenth edition. Dallas, Texas: SIL International. Online version: http://www.ethnologue.com/map/CO_n
This image illustrates both human and physical geography because it showcases the beautiful beach and ocean as well as hotels that have been constructed to impulse tourism.
(2014).Cartagena- Boca Grande. Retrieved from http://www.colombiainfo.org/Fotobook/tabid/224/ Article/44/language/en-US/Cartagena-Boca-Grande.aspx
(2014).Cartagena- Boca Grande. Retrieved from http://www.colombiainfo.org/Fotobook/tabid/224/ Article/44/language/en-US/Cartagena-Boca-Grande.aspx
The beautiful image depicts the volcano Nevado del Ruiz in Colombia. This volcano represents physical geography because it is part of the landscape and changes the landscape of the region when it presents signs of activity.
(October 2012).Retrieved from http://www.volcanodiscovery.com/nevado_del_ruiz-images.html
(October 2012).Retrieved from http://www.volcanodiscovery.com/nevado_del_ruiz-images.html
This image depicts the beautiful beach in Providencia, Colombia. This represents physical geography. The beauty of the beaches in Colombia attracts many people to visit.
Providencia Island: a Colombian Sun and Beach Destination. Retrieved from http://www.colombia.travel/en/international-tourist/sightseeing-what-to-do/sun-and-beach/isla-de-providencia-and-santa-catalina
Providencia Island: a Colombian Sun and Beach Destination. Retrieved from http://www.colombia.travel/en/international-tourist/sightseeing-what-to-do/sun-and-beach/isla-de-providencia-and-santa-catalina
The Andes compose a large part of Colombia’s physical geography and this image shows a glimpse of the Andes Mountain. This particular image is of the Los Nevados Park where the immensity of the Andes can be admired.
Natural Parks of the Andean Region. Retrieved from http://www.colombia.travel/en/international-tourist/sightseeing-what-to-do/nature/natural-parks/natural-parks-of-the-andean-region
Natural Parks of the Andean Region. Retrieved from http://www.colombia.travel/en/international-tourist/sightseeing-what-to-do/nature/natural-parks/natural-parks-of-the-andean-region
This image shows that land in Colombia is used to produce coffee. This represents human geography because people use the land to cultivate the coffee and export it around the world.
Howlett, K. (2012, October 26). Threat to coffee growers, grounds for concern? Retrieved from http://www.colombia-politics.com/threat-to-coffee-growers-grounds-for-concern/
Howlett, K. (2012, October 26). Threat to coffee growers, grounds for concern? Retrieved from http://www.colombia-politics.com/threat-to-coffee-growers-grounds-for-concern/
This image shows the city of Cartagena and exemplifies human geography because it shows how people in this city live. The houses and roads they have constructed are shown in the image.
Cartagena City. Retrieved from. http://www.colombiainfo.org/ Fotobook/tabid/224/Article/43/language/en-US/Cartagena-City.aspx
Cartagena City. Retrieved from. http://www.colombiainfo.org/ Fotobook/tabid/224/Article/43/language/en-US/Cartagena-City.aspx
BIODIVERSITY and Cultural Diversity in Colombia
In Colombia the cultural identity that has developed has a connection to the biodiversity that is prevalent in the area. In order to establish the importance that biodiversity has on Colombia it is important to address the unique environment it encompasses. The Embassy of Colombia provides information on the diversity that is prevalent in Colombia. Colombia is home to “tropical rainforests, Amazon jungles, deserts and marshes…. [as well as] the Andes Mountains” (Embassy of Colombia, 2012). This means that Colombia has “wide-ranging ecosystems [that] make it the second most biodiverse country in the world” (Embassy of Colombia, 2012). This also means that Colombia has “many precious natural resources [and] the Government of Colombia has put in place a series of policies and incentives to preserve biodiversity and protect the environment” (Embassy of Colombia, 2012). The initiatives the government has taken in Colombia demonstrate that the culture of the country has gravitated towards protecting the environment and has been successful. This also demonstrates that the actions being taken in the past years have been aimed at preserving all the ecosystems that Colombia has. This fosters a culture that is environmentally aware and likely to keep enforcing policies that are beneficial to the environment.
The connection between the natural environment and the culture of Colombia have also had devastating effects on the environment. Illicit drug trade is “one of the most hazardous threats to Colombia’s ecosystems” this is because “drug traffickers’ use of harmful chemicals, their clearing of forests through slash-and-burn techniques” have damaged the environment significantly (Embassy of Colombia, 2012). These practices are embedded in Colombian culture not by choice the environment in Colombia and the great resources have made the area desirable and this is why drug traffickers take advantage and deplete the area of “flora and fauna, [as well as contaminate] its water supplies and [deplete] the nation’s environmental wealth” (Embassy of Colombia, 2012). Colombia is facing a grave problem when it comes to loss of biodiversity and it has implemented initiatives like the Shared Responsibility Program to alleviate the situation.
The Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development in the Republic of Colombia has outlined the practices and the importance that biodiversity and its preservation has in Colombia. The report illustrates that Colombia is ready to take actions and it states that with “strategic framework… that will enable the country to conserve its biodiversity, face up to manmade environmental change and maintain the resilience of its socio-ecological systems and thus help to improve the well-being and quality of life of Colombians” (NPIMBES). Colombia is committed to protecting the environment and embedding the responsibility to its people.
Colombia’s biodiversity has developed an environmentally aware culture but the diversity has also developed cultural groups within Colombia. People who live in different areas of Colombia classify into three cultures “those in the interior, the countryside, and the coastal regions” (2014). These cultural groups have adopted “unique customs, accents, social patterns and cultural adaptations” (2014). These divisions in culture have developed a culture in which “only during elections, sporting events, and beauty pageants do the regional cultures unite for a common goal” (2014). These cultural gaps have developed a culture within Colombia that is very diverse and this not always a good thing because it can be difficult to unite the population with such variations in ideologies.
The last significant implication that biodiversity has had on Colombia is the tourism that has become part of the culture. The Colombian government encourages tourism through Tourism, Foreign Investment and Export Promotion. In Colombia the popular tourism attractions include the Colombian Pacific, Amazon Jungle, and the nature tours. Colombia has many natural parks, rural tourism and bird watching. Colombia’s biodiversity makes it “the second most diverse country on the planet” (Government of Colombia). Colombia also “has five contexts with singular landscape, fauna and flora…. These are the Andes, the Caribbean, the Pacific Coast, the Amazon, and the Eastern Plains” (Government of Colombia). With such a variety in ecosystems and impressive biodiversity Colombia has benefited from tourism and encourages people to visit.
References
Government of Colombia. Nature Tourism in Colombia. Retrieved from http://www.colombia.travel/en/international-tourist/sightseeing-what-to-do/nature
Government of Colombia. Vacations in Colombia: Where to go? Retrieved from http://www.colombia.travel/en/international-tourist/vacations-holidays-where-to-go/
NPIMBES. National Policy for the Integral Management of Biodiversity and its Ecosystemic Services. Retrieved from http://www.cbd.int/doc/world/co/co-nbsap-v2-en.pdf
(2012). Energy and Environment. Retrieved from http://www.colombiaemb.org/node/1330
(2014). Colombia. Retrieved from http://www.everyculture.com/Bo-Co/Colombia.html
This poster exemplifies that Colombia promotes tourism due to the great biodiversity the country has.
Retrieved from http://colombia.travel/realismomagico/en/nature-amazon#poster
Retrieved from http://colombia.travel/realismomagico/en/nature-amazon#poster
This image depicts Colombia's Pacific Coast.
Retrieved from http://www.colombia.travel/en/international-tourist/vacations-holidays-where-to-go/pacific-coast-travel-guide/
Retrieved from http://www.colombia.travel/en/international-tourist/vacations-holidays-where-to-go/pacific-coast-travel-guide/
This image depicts the plants in the Amazon Jungle in Colombia.
Retrieved from http://www.colombia.travel/en/international-tourist/vacations-holidays-where-to-go/amazon-travel-guide/
Retrieved from http://www.colombia.travel/en/international-tourist/vacations-holidays-where-to-go/amazon-travel-guide/