9781422286418

Colombia, the fourth-largest country in South America, is a land of great geographic contrasts. (Opposite) Tequendama Falls, near Bogotá, is a popular tourist attraction. The falls plunge more than 400 feet (1,312 meters) into the Andean jungle. (Right) Evening falls over Pasto, in the shadow of Galeras volcano. 1

Land of Contrasts

¡HOLA! ARE YOU discovering Colombia? It’s a land of extremes, where one can climb towering, snowy mountains, stretch out on sunny tropical beaches, explore steamy rain forest jungles, and hike through a dry desert—all without leaving the country. Gateway to South America Located on the northwestern edge of South America, Colombia borders two great bodies of water. To the northeast lies the blue Caribbean Sea, and to the northwest the calm Pacific Ocean. Colombia also shares borders with Panama to the northwest, Venezuela to the east, Brazil to the southeast, Peru to the south, and Ecuador to the southwest. Its territory includes two small off- shore islands in the Pacific and several island groups in the Caribbean.

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