Cordillera Occidental, Colombia
Encyclopedia
The Cordillera Occidental (Western range) is one of three branches of the Andes Mountains in Colombia
that divide at the Node of Pasto, extending from south to north from Nariño
to the Node of Paramillo in Córdoba
.
The western part of the mountain range belongs mainly to the Pacific
region, with the San Juan River
standing out, while the eastern part belongs mainly to the Cauca River
basin. The northern part and northwestern part belong to the Atlantic Slope, with the Atrato
and Sinú
rivers standing out. The Cordillera Occidental is separated from the coastal Baudó Mountains
by the Atrato River
.
The maximum altitude of the Cordillera Occidental can be found in the Farallones de Cali
at 4,100 meters over sea level.
The Patía River
, which begins in the Colombian Massif
, runs through the Cordillera Occidental in the start of the depression Hoz de Miamar.
Colombia
Colombia, officially the Republic of Colombia , is a unitary constitutional republic comprising thirty-two departments. The country is located in northwestern South America, bordered to the east by Venezuela and Brazil; to the south by Ecuador and Peru; to the north by the Caribbean Sea; to the...
that divide at the Node of Pasto, extending from south to north from Nariño
Nariño Department
Nariño is a department of Colombia named after Antonio Nariño. It is in the west of the country, bordering Ecuador and the Pacific Ocean.Its capital is Pasto, other important cities include Tumaco, Ipiales.-Municipalities:# Albán# Aldana# Ancuya...
to the Node of Paramillo in Córdoba
Córdoba Department
Córdoba is a Department of the Republic of Colombia located to the north of this country in the Colombian Caribbean Region. Córdoba faces to the north with the Caribbean sea, to the northeast with the Sucre Department, east with the Bolívar Department and south with the Antioquia Department...
.
The western part of the mountain range belongs mainly to the Pacific
Pacific Ocean
The Pacific Ocean is the largest of the Earth's oceanic divisions. It extends from the Arctic in the north to the Southern Ocean in the south, bounded by Asia and Australia in the west, and the Americas in the east.At 165.2 million square kilometres in area, this largest division of the World...
region, with the San Juan River
San Juan River (Colombia)
San Juan River is an important river of Colombia. It quoted source is in the Cordillera Occidental and has a length of 380 km...
standing out, while the eastern part belongs mainly to the Cauca River
Cauca River
The Cauca River is a river in Colombia that lies between the Occidental and Central cordilleras. Born in southwestern Colombia near the city of Popayán, it joins the Magdalena River near Pinillos in Bolívar Department, and the combined river eventually flows out into the Caribbean Sea. It has a...
basin. The northern part and northwestern part belong to the Atlantic Slope, with the Atrato
Atrato River
The Río Atrato is a river of northwestern Colombia. It rises in the slopes of the Western Cordillera and flows almost due north to the Gulf of Urabá , where it forms a large, swampy delta....
and Sinú
Sinú River
Sinú River , is a river in northwestern Colombia that flows mostly through the Córdoba Department and into the Caribbean. The river is the third most important river after the Magdalena River and the Cauca River in the Caribbean Region. It is born in the Antioquia Department, flowing south to north...
rivers standing out. The Cordillera Occidental is separated from the coastal Baudó Mountains
Baudó Mountains
The Baudó Mountains are a coastal mountain range on the Pacific coast of Colombia. They are separated from the Cordillera Occidental by the Atrato valley where the Atrato River flows and Quibdó is located. From the south the range extends from the Baudó River north and slightly west along the...
by the Atrato River
Atrato River
The Río Atrato is a river of northwestern Colombia. It rises in the slopes of the Western Cordillera and flows almost due north to the Gulf of Urabá , where it forms a large, swampy delta....
.
The maximum altitude of the Cordillera Occidental can be found in the Farallones de Cali
Farallones de Cali
Farallones de Cali is a mountain in the West Andes of Colombia. It is considered the highest point in the West Andes at 4100 MASL. Farallones de Cali National Natural Park encompasses the mountain and much of the surrounding area...
at 4,100 meters over sea level.
The Patía River
Patía River
The Patía River is a river in southwestern Colombia. It flows over 400 kilometers to drain into the Pacific Ocean north of Tumaco. The Patía River is the longest river on the Colombian Pacific Coast. The last 90 kilometers is navigable by boat.-Geography:...
, which begins in the Colombian Massif
Colombian Massif
The Colombian Massif also known colloquially as Nudo de Almaguer refers to a group of mountains within the Andes of south central Colombia. The massif is mainly within the area of the Cauca, Huila, and Nariño Departments...
, runs through the Cordillera Occidental in the start of the depression Hoz de Miamar.
See also
- Cordillera Central (Colombia)
- Cordillera Oriental (Colombia)
- Cordillera OccidentalCordillera OccidentalCordillera Occidental is Spanish for "Western mountain". It may refer to:* Cordillera Occidental * Cordillera Occidental * Cordillera Occidental -See also:* Cordillera Central...