The products of the Caribbean region of Colombia are very extensive and varied due to the great natural and cultural wealth of the area.
In this way, there are some that come from mining, such as coal, others from the field, such as bananas and others from the artisan tradition of its inhabitants.
The Caribbean region is located in the northern part of Colombia. It borders Venezuela and the sea that gives it its name. It is made up of 8 different Departments, being Barranquilla and Cartagena de Indias its main cities.
The region, apart from the maritime coast, has several important rivers, mountainous areas such as the Sierra Madre and large savannas.
Main products of the Caribbean region
Although the main wealth of the region comes from the sea, its mineral and agricultural production also stands out.
In this way, this territory is the main supplier of products such as coal or natural gas and also stands out in the export of bananas or corn.
Likewise, its crafts have become very important, not only nationally, but also internationally thanks to the increase in tourism.
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Salt has been one of the traditional products of the Caribbean region. This is due to the existence of large marine salt flats in its territory, mainly in La Guajira, near the municipality of Manaure.
Until last decade this area contributed 70% of the salt consumed to the rest of the country.
However, in recent years there has been a deterioration in the production and conditions of the salinas.
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The large coal mines have historically been another of the great economic riches of the region.
Only in La Guajira, at the Cerrejón mine, 32 million tons are produced annually.
In fact, thanks to this deposit (plus a similar one), Colombia has become one of the largest producers of this material.
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Natural gas has become one of the productive stars of the region. Already the discoveries of large deposits a few years ago in La Guajira caused this area to become the country's great supplier.
The latest discoveries, both on land and at sea, confirm the richness that the Caribbean subsoil hides.
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This fruit is one of the most typical products of this region. The climate of the area, especially in La Magdalena, make its soil suitable for this fruit.
The Caribbean themselves use it a lot in their more traditional recipes. It is not only production that generates wealth.
Export from the port of Santa Marta also greatly benefits the region. This fruit is distributed in the United States and the European Union, especially in Belgium and the United Kingdom.
5- Cotton
The Department of Bolívar is the main cotton producer. The cultivation and harvesting techniques come directly from indigenous traditions.
You only have to contemplate the typical costumes to notice the importance of this fabric in the life and economy of the area.
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Among the artisan products of the region, the so-called vueltiao hat stands out. This garment is typical of the Departments of Córdoba, Sucre and Bolívar, but it has become so widespread that it has become a cultural symbol of the country.
To make it, arrow cane leaves are used, a native plant of the area.
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This jewel is another of the most important artisan products in the region. It is made with fine gold threads, traditionally by hand.
It requires great skill and patience, since it is not easy to obtain these threads and, even less, with the required thickness.
The filigree is originally from Santa Cruz de Mompós, a town located on the banks of the Magdalena River.
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Aloe Vera, also known as aloe, may become one of the most important products in the region.
It is a plant to which innumerable qualities are attributed, from sanitary to aesthetic, and which is widely accepted by the public.
There had been small plantations in the region, but since 2016 a massive introduction of this crop is being planned.
In fact, it is expected that the Atlantic Department will soon produce some 700 thousand drinks made with this product.
References
- Fundevelopment. The main export products in the Caribbean Region. Recovered from fundesarrollo.org.co
- World Integrated Trade Solution. Colombia Intermediate goods Import Product Share compare with Latin America & Caribbean region. Retrieved from wits.worldbank.org
- Life person. 6 Handicrafts from the Caribbean Region of Colombia. (October 19, 2017). Retrieved from lifepersona.com
- Jimenez, Harvey. In Barranquilla they extract the juice from the aloe plant. Obtained from elheraldo.co
- Bayonne, Etna Mercedes. Coal production and economic growth in the Caribbean mining region in Colombia. Obtained from scielo.org.co