HYDROGRAPHY OF THE CARIBBEAN REGION: MAIN CHARACTERISTICS - ENVIRONMENT - 2025

The hydrography of the Caribbean region of Colombia is characterized by the abundance of water resources in the long and mighty rivers that cross its territory, as well as in its various lagoons and swamps and on the marine coast, which extends through six of its seven departments..

Its most important rivers are the Magdalena, the Cauca and the Sinú, along with the San Jorge, the Atrato, the Cesar and the Ranchería.

Its main lagoons and swamps are the Ciénaga Grande de Santa Marta, the Ciénaga de Ayapel, the Ciénaga de Zapatosa, the Ciénaga de Betanci, the Ciénaga de Lorica and the Ciénaga embalse del Guájaro.

Main Rivers of the Caribbean Region

Magdalena

It is born in the southwestern part of Colombia, in the Andes mountain range. It has a length of more than 1500 km and empties into the Caribbean Sea.

It is a navigable river from the town of Honda in the department of Tolima to the Cauca river, its main tributary.

It is the main waterway in Colombia and an important economic source for the populations that live in the territories it crosses.

Cauca

It is the second waterway in the country. It is born in the Laguna del Buey (Department of Cauca) and flows into the Magdalena River.

It crosses more than 180 municipalities in various departments in its 1,350 kilometers of extension. Its main tributaries are the Fraile, Nechí and Bolo rivers.

Sinu

This river has a length of 415 kilometers. It is born in Antioquia, crosses the department of Córdoba and empties into the Caribbean Sea.

Saint George

This 368-kilometer-long river is born in the Paramillo National Park, runs through the San Jerónimo and Ayapel mountains, and empties into the Cauca River.

cease

It is born in the mountains of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta in the department of La Guajira. It is 280 kilometers long, crosses the department of Cesar from north to south and ends at the Ciénaga de Zapatosa.

The Atrato and Ranchería rivers also stand out in this region for their extension and flow.

Swamps

Cienaga Grande de Santa Marta

This saltwater lagoon is located in the department of Magdalena; It is one of the largest in Colombia. It occupies an area of ​​approximately 4,280 km2.

Cienaga de Zapatosa

This swamp of about 400 km2 is formed in the course of the Cesar River.

It is located between the municipalities of Chimichagua, Curumaní and Tamalameque (Department of Cesar) and El Banco in Magdalena.

Cienaga de Ayapel

This swamp is formed in the course of the San Jorge River in the department of Córdoba and makes up a large complex of wetlands in the Momposina depression, located at the foot of the mountain range.

The Ciénaga de Betancí

This water mirror is located in the municipality of Montería, Córdoba and is part of its tourist attractions.

Lorica swamp

This swamp is also located in the department of Córdoba, in Bajo Sinú.

Ciénaga Embalse del Guájaro

This reservoir known as Ciénaga de Guájaro, covers an area of ​​160 km 2.

It is located between the municipalities of Repelón, Manatí and Sabanalarga (Atlántico).

References

1. Caribbean Region (Colombia). Retrieved October 20, 2017 from es.wikipedia.org
2. The Caribbean region of Colombia. Rangel Ch, J. Orlando. (PDF) National University of Colombia. 2012.
3. Hydrography of Colombia. (sf) Consulted from todacolombia.com
4. Hydrography. Consulted of educarcaribe.blogspot.com
5. Ciénaga de Ayapel. Consulted of peerlagoscolombia.udea.edu.co
6. Magdalena river. Consulted of es.wikipedia.org
7. The Caribbean Region. (sf) Consulted of elizbethd.blogspot.com