Cordillera Oriental (Colombia)
Cordillera Oriental (Eastern Ranges) | |
---|---|
Highest point | |
Peak | Ritacuba Blanco[1] |
Elevation | 5,410 m (17,750 ft) |
Listing | Altiplano Cundiboyacense, Serran�a de los Yarigu�es, Serran�a de las Quinchas, Sierra Nevada del Cocuy, Serran�a del Perij� |
Dimensions | |
Length | 1,200 km (750 mi) SW-NE |
Area | 144,252 km2 (55,696 sq mi) |
Geography | |
Country | Colombia |
Parent range | Andes |
Geology | |
Age of rock | Neoproterozoic-Holocene |
Mountain type | Andean Subduction-related orogen |
The Cordillera Oriental (English: Eastern Ranges) is the widest of the three branches of the Colombian Andes. The range extends from south to north, dividing from the Colombian Massif in Huila Department to Norte de Santander Department where it splits into the Serran�a del Perij� and the Cordillera de M�rida in Venezuelan Andes. The highest peak is Ritacuba Blanco at 5,410 m (17,750 ft) in the Sierra Nevada del Cocuy.
Geography
[edit]The western part of the Cordillera Oriental belongs to the Magdalena River basin, while the eastern part includes the river basins of the Amazon River, Orinoco River, and Catatumbo River. Within it, the Altiplano Cundiboyacense and the Sierra Nevada del Cocuy (with the only snowy peaks in this mountain range) stand out. The mountain range contains the most p�ramos in the world.[citation needed]
The Cordillera Oriental montane forests ecoregion covers the eastern slopes of the cordillera and its northern end. The Magdalena Valley montane forests cover the western slopes. The Northern Andean p�ramo covers the highest elevations.
Protected areas
[edit]- Cueva de los Gu�charos
- Chingaza National Natural Park
- Yarigu�es National Park
- Sierra Nevada del Cocuy
- Sumapaz P�ramo
- Tam� National Natural Park
- Los Estoraques Unique Natural Area
- Lake Iguaque
- Guanent� Alto R�o Fonce Flora and Fauna Sanctuary
- Catatumbo Bar� National Natural Park
- Los Picachos National Natural Park
- Pisba National Natural Park
Regional geology
[edit]
See also
[edit]- Geography of Colombia
- Altiplano Cundiboyacense, Bogot� savanna, Tenza Valley
- Cordillera Central, Occidental, Andean Region, Venezuelan Andes, continuation of this mountain system
References
[edit]- ^ "Cordillera Oriental (Colombia)". Retrieved 20 February 2013.