Diverse Colombia is a country of natural and man-made wonders. Striking with a huge variety of landscape species, it attracts everyone who is not indifferent to the exotic. The land of extraordinary beauty is still little explored by Russian tourists, so if you have a unique opportunity to visit it, do not miss your chance.
Where is the land of fabulous we alth?
Travelers who plan to be in a real tropical paradise want to know where Colombia is located on the world map. It can be found in the northwest of South America. Bordered by Peru, Venezuela, Ecuador, Panama and Brazil, this mysterious country is washed by the waters of both the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean.
Colombia's largest river
Untouched by man nature is a good reason to make an unforgettable trip to an amazing country, the sights of which made its appearance unique. In Colombiaflows the Magdalena River, considered the largest waterway of the state.
The pioneer of the national symbol is Rodrigo de Bastidas, the famous Spanish conquistador. In 1501, he landed on the coast of South America and discovered the mouth of a mighty river named after Mary Magdalene.
The stormy Magdalena rises from the majestic Andes and flows into the Caribbean Sea. Its length is admirable, because it is about 1550 kilometers. And tourists who want to find the river on the map will be able to do it very easily, since it flows through the entire western part of the country.
The basin formed by the Magdalena and its tributaries covers 24% of the country's mainland, and the total length of waterways is 4,000 kilometers.
In its lower reaches, a navigable canal was built, which starts from Cartagena, a major port city. In the middle of the last century, a dam appeared in its upper part, forming the Betania reservoir with a volume of 3 cubic kilometers.
Environmental Issues
In recent decades, there has been a rapid increase in the population of a country rich in natural resources. Unfortunately, the development of land used for agricultural production has already led to large-scale deforestation in the Magdalena River Valley in Colombia. This does not have the best effect on the ecology of the water artery and its environs.
And statements by the Omimex oil company, which plans to start drilling in the middle reaches of the river, forcedenvironmentalists get alarmed. The consequences of developing a new oil field will be very detrimental to the environment. After all, even the construction of the reservoir has already led to a decrease in the number of fish, as it limited the opportunities for their migration.
Danger for tourists
Tourists who want to look at the turbulent blue artery should remember that it is replenished by rainwater. In early spring and autumn, the Magdalena River overflows its banks, flooding coastal areas. And then the orange level of danger is declared in the region. Those settlements and cities that are located along the channel of the waterway fall into the zone of increased risk. To avoid trouble, you must be extremely careful.
What to see?
Despite everything, the Magdalena River attracts tourists because it flows through the most picturesque places with a unique flavor. And the most interesting excursion is considered to be a trip on a boat or a motor boat.
In addition, you can visit one of the oldest historical monuments in South America, located at an altitude of 1800 meters, in the San Agustin area. On the plateau, located on both sides of the canyon, which is formed by the upper reaches of the Magdalena River, hides an archaeological park. More than 500 stone giants are scattered here, resembling sentries of a long-vanished culture. Scientists believe that the sculptures of gods, people and animals, resembling the gloomy idols of Easter Island, appeared in the so-called pre-Columbian period, but someresearchers are inclined to earlier dating. The Valley of the Statues is an amazing corner, the secrets of which have not been solved to this day.
