Caribbean natural region

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Caribbean region
Neotropic
BiomeMarine, Dry Forest, Rainforest, Montane Forest, Páramo, Desert, Wetlands
Geography
Country Colombia
Oceans or seasCaribbean Sea
RiversSinú, Magdalena, Ranchería
Climate typeTropical
Conservation
Global 200Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, Ciénaga Grande

The Caribbean region is mostly lowland plains extending from the northern reaches of the

Colombian Andes to the Caribbean Sea that are characterized by a variety of ecosystems including: humid forests, dry forests, savannas, wetlands and desert. The Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta rise from the plains to snow-capped peaks, separated from the Andes as an isolated area of high biodiversity and endemism. It contains one of the largest marshes in Colombia, the Ciénaga Grande de Santa Marta. The main river is the Magdalena
which is fully navigable in the region and a major path for the flow of shipments to and from inland Colombia.

Biogeographical subregions

The Caribbean region contains 6 subregions which differ in certain natural aspects.

Guajira Peninsula

Caribbean sea
. The peninsula is the northernmost point of Colombia and South America.

The

SFF Los Flamencos which is meant to protect the habitat for the American flamingo
.

Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta

the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta as viewed from space.

Caribbean Savanna and Magdalena Delta

The

Andes through the Magdalena River valley and into the Caribbean plains, where major tributaries integrate into the floodplain. The massive Ciénaga Grande de Santa Marta
is situated between the delta and the base of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta.

The Caribbean savanna extends from the delta west toward the Sinú River. A small range of mountains called the Montes de María are found here and part of them are protected as the Los Colorados Sanctuary.

Valley of the San Jorge River

The San Jorge River rises in the northern end of the West Andes and flows northeast to flow into the Cauca River. Large swaths of the valley are covered by marshes like the Ciénaga de Ayapel.

Valley of the Sinú River

The Sinú River flows through the Sinú Valley dry forests ecoregion.

Gulf of Urabá

The Gulf of Urabá

Protected areas

See also

  • Caribbean Region, Colombia

References