- The 4 main elements of the Cordillera Oriental de Santander
- 1- Cordillera de los Yareguíes
- 2- Longitudinal valleys of the Suárez and Fonce rivers
- 3- Chicamocha Canyon
- 4- Plateaus and terraces of the Western Slope
- The 4 main elements of the Middle Valley of the Magdalena river in Santander
- 1- Llanos del Huila and Tolima
- 2- Subregion between the mouth of the Bogotá River and the Honda streams
- 3- Subregion between the raudales of Honda and Barrancabermeja
- 4- Subregion between Barrancabermeja and Morales
- References
In the relief of Santander two areas with markedly different topographies can be distinguished: the Middle Valley of the Magdalena River and the Eastern mountain range. The valley is in the western area of the department and the mountain range in the eastern sector.
The relief of the valley is flat in some sectors and gently undulating in others. On the banks of the Magdalena River, jungle vegetation predominates, and to the east is part of the equatorial forest.
The Eastern Cordillera is located in the eastern sector, and occupies most of the department.
The relief is very rugged and is characterized by mountains that can exceed 3,000 meters above sea level. The relief also has terraces, plateaus and the Chicamocha canyon.
The 4 main elements of the Cordillera Oriental de Santander
This topographic region of Colombia is one of the most complex in the country. It is divided into subregions with diverse characteristics and ecosystems.
1- Cordillera de los Yareguíes
It is located at the western end of the mountain range, between the Magdalena Valley to the west and the Suárez river canyon to the east.
It reaches a maximum height of 3,500 meters above sea level and its direction is south-north. In the lower part there are plateaus that are suitable for agriculture.
2- Longitudinal valleys of the Suárez and Fonce rivers
There are 2 zones with different characteristics.
The first is made up of a low area between 500 and 1000 meters above sea level. Temperatures are above 24 ° C.
Dry winds predominate that contribute to the scarcity of vegetation, making the area arid.
The second area of this valley is made up of plateaus between 1000 and 1500 meters above sea level. The relief is broken. The temperature ranges between 18 and 24 ° C.
It has higher humidity than the lower zone mentioned before, favoring a vegetation of bushes. It is an area of high population density.
3- Chicamocha Canyon
It is located in the east-west direction. The Chicamocha river runs through this canyon at about 400 meters above sea level.
There are steep gorges devoid of vegetation due to constant wind erosion. The slopes are continually whipped by hot, dry winds.
4- Plateaus and terraces of the Western Slope
These plateaus and terraces have a relatively smooth relief and are located between 1000 and 1600 meters above sea level.
The climatic conditions are of average temperatures between 22 and 24 ° C. The vegetation is of the premontane humid forest type.
The 4 main elements of the Middle Valley of the Magdalena river in Santander
It is an inter-Andean valley formed by the Magdalena River. It crosses the region from south to north with a route of 700 km. It is divided into subregions with different characteristics.
1- Llanos del Huila and Tolima
It is characterized by the route of the river over a narrow valley. In its left band the valley widens to the height of Natagaima.
On its right bank it does not exceed 25 km wide at any point.
2- Subregion between the mouth of the Bogotá River and the Honda streams
In this sector the valley has a length of 105 km. It is located at a height between 220 and 290 meters above sea level.
The soils are excellent for productive activity, since they are alluvial plains.
3- Subregion between the raudales of Honda and Barrancabermeja
In this region the valley has a length of 220 km. Soils are fertile in some sectors and their use capacity varies.
The vegetation is predominantly tropical humid forest and premontane humid forest. The climate is warm with temperatures above 26 ° C, and rainfall is high.
4- Subregion between Barrancabermeja and Morales
Unlike previous regions, in this sector the valley reaches a width of more than 200 kilometers in some sectors.
In this area there is a diversity of soils that are flooded. The tropical humid forest and premontane humid forest predominate.
The climate is temperatures above 26 ° C, and rainfall is high.
References
- Cadavid, G. The Santandereana Mountain. Obtained from Banco de la República: banrepcultural.org
- Cadavid, G. Valle Intermedio del Río Magdalena. Obtained from Banco de la República: banrepcultural.org
- Santander Department. (sf). Obtained from Todo Colombia: todacolombia.com
- Albesiano, S., Rangel-Churio, JO, & Cadena, A. (2003). The vegetation of the Chicamocha river canyon (Santander, Colombia). Caldasia, 25 (1), 73-99.
- Albesiano, S., & Rangel-Ch, JO (2006). Vegetation structure of the Chicamocha river canyon, 500-1200 m; Santander-Colombia: a tool for conservation / Structure of the plant communities from Chicamocha canyon, 500-1200 masl; Santander, Colombia: a tool for conservation. Caldasia, 307-325.