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" : 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 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 of river valleys and basins below 1,000 m; the more temperate conditions of the tierra templada and tierra fría, which include the most productive land and the majority of the population; and the alpine conditions of the zona forestada, páramos and tierra helada.Protected areas
West Andes from south to north: Munchique, Farallones de Cali, Tatamá, Las Orquideas, Paramillo
