The Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta is a mountain range in northeastern Colombia. It is the highest coastal mountain range in the world and is part of the Colombian Massif, separated from the Andes by the Magdalena River valley.
Important information
The majestic Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta is considered the highest coastal mountain massif as its perpetual snows reach a height of 5,775 meters, just 47 kilometers from the sea. It has a pyramidal shape with an irregular triangular base.
Geographic Features and Dimensions
It covers an area of 21,158 square kilometers, equivalent to 2,115,800 hectares, and is situated between 10°01’05” and 11°20’11” North latitude and 72°36’16” and 74°12’49” West longitude of the Greenwich meridian.
Biodiversity and Indigenous Communities
This majestic mountain range offers breathtaking natural beauty, rich culture, and history. With its towering peaks and lush valleys, the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta is home to several indigenous peoples, such as the Arhuacos, Koguis, and Tayrona. The range also hosts various species of exotic birds like the Andean condor, Santa Marta parakeet, and Sierra Nevada kinglet.
Connection to Water Systems and Ecosystem Impact
The Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta is connected to the Magdalena River, Colombia’s main river, through the Zapatoza Swamp, which feeds the waters of the Cesar River and the system of the Ciénaga Grande de Santa Marta. It is an ecosystem that supplies water to 18 municipalities across three departments: Magdalena, Cesar, and La Guajira, with 30 main basins in its three slopes.
Protected Areas and Archaeological Parks
Within its boundaries lie two National Parks: Tayrona National Park and Sierra Nevada National Park, and two archaeological parks: Pueblito (Chairama) and the Teyuna Archaeological Park (Lost City or Buritaca 200). Two indigenous reserves are located within its expanse: the ARHUACO reserve, home to Wintukwa (Ikus) ethnic communities situated in the municipalities of Aracataca and Fundación, in the Magdalena Department, and Valledupar (Cesar).
Indigenous Reserves and Ethnic Groups
This reserve spans 195,000 hectares. The other reserve is known as Koguis – Malayo – Arhuaco, inhabited by indigenous ethnic groups such as the Koguis, Wiwa, Kankuama, and part of the Arhuacos, located on the borders of the municipalities of Santa Marta, Ciénaga (Magdalena), part in Valledupar (Cesar), Riohacha, and San Juan del Cesar (La Guajira). This reserve covers an area of 361,780 hectares.
Characteristicts of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta
The Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, standing at an impressive 5,775 meters in height, is not only Colombia’s tallest mountain but also, geologically speaking, the tallest in the world.
This distinction arises from its base being at sea level, setting it apart from taller mountains such as Mount Everest, whose bases are around 5,000 meters above sea level.
This geological peculiarity underscores its majesty and uniqueness within the global mountain landscape.
In the early 1950s, several scientific expeditions in the Sierra Nevada established its maximum height as 5,834 meters. Subsequently, with new data on temperature and atmospheric pressure and the necessary corrections made, the exact height of the six snow-covered peaks was precisely determined:
- Cristóbal Colón Peak: 5,775 meters
- Simón Bolívar Peak: 5,775 meters
- Simonds Peak: 5,650 meters
- La Reina Peak: 5,532 meters
- Ojeda Peak: 5,401 meters
- El Guardián Peak: 5,251 meters
The Cristóbal Colón and Simón Bolívar peaks form a figure known as “Cundua” by the Arhuaco indigenous people, currently generally referred to as “La Horqueta.” From a distance, they appear as a single peak with a split summit; however, they are two separate mountains, both with a height of 5,775 meters, the highest in Colombia.
The Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta covers 21,158 square kilometers and spans three departments of Colombia: Magdalena, Cesar, and La Guajira.
LIMITS:
- North: Borders the Caribbean Sea from the mouth of the Córdoba River in the Department of Magdalena to the mouth of the Ranchería River in La Guajira.
- West: Borders the Ciénaga Grande de Santa Marta between the Frío and Ariguaní rivers.
- South: The southwestern face borders the valley formed by the Cesar and Ranchería rivers and the Serranía de Perijá, where the Andes mountain range ends in Colombia.
The Sierra Nevada hosts the Tayrona National Natural Park, the Pueblito Chayrama Archaeological Park, and the Teyuna Archaeological Park (Ciudad Perdida Tayrona). It offers cultural tourism, outdoor adventures, nature immersion, wildlife and flora observation, and hiking.
Best tours to the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta
There are various tours, including trekking, adventure, and ethnotourism in exciting excursions to places like Ciudad Perdida, lasting 4, 5, and 6 days, exploring waterfalls and archaeological sites. Additionally, there are options to explore the Wiwa indigenous culture.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
The Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta is located in northern Colombia, specifically in the Tayrona area. This mountain range is home to the country’s highest peak, Pico Cristóbal Colón, at an impressive 5,775 meters. The Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta also holds the title of the highest coastal mountain range in the world, with its peaks reaching 2,650 meters above sea level. The Sierra is home to an archaeological park known as Ciudad Perdida, which was the capital of the ancient Tayrona civilization. Today, the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta is a national park and a natural national park.
The Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta is a beautiful mountain range located in northeastern Colombia. This mountain range is home to many different plant and animal species, as well as some unique geographical features. Some of the main characteristics of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta are its lush vegetation, diverse fauna and flora, and impressive landscapes.
The elevation of the mountain range and its proximity to the ocean create a unique climate that supports a wide variety of plant and animal life. The Sierra Nevada National Park is home to over 200 bird species, as well as several endangered species such as the spectacled bear and the Colombian national bird, the Andean condor.
The Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta is characterized by its warm and dry climate, its perpetual snows, and its thermal floors. In the lower parts of the mountain range is the Tayrona National Park, a popular tourist destination. The park features a lagoon, several beaches, and a wide variety of plants and animals. Above the Tayrona National Park is the archaeological park Ciudad Perdida, which houses the ruins of an ancient city.
The Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta also houses several indigenous communities, such as the Guajiros and the Wiwas. These communities have been living in the region for centuries and have their own cultures and traditions.
The Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta is a majestic mountain range located in northeastern Colombia. This natural wonder is home to the Gotsezhy Refuge, a popular tourist destination. Visitors to the Gotsezhy Refuge can enjoy hiking, camping, and bird watching in this beautiful environment.
The Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta is a mountain range in northeastern Colombia that extends about 220 kilometers along the country’s Caribbean coast. The highest peak in the range, and the third highest in all of Colombia, is Pico Cristóbal Colón, which rises to a height of 5,775 meters (18,950 feet). The range also includes other snow-covered peaks such as Pico Simón Bolívar (5,738 meters), Pico El Tablazo (5,700 meters), and Pico Juan Fernández (5,615 meters).
The Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, an impressive mountain range, is located in the northeastern region of Colombia, specifically in the department of Magdalena. This majestic mountain system not only belongs to Magdalena but also encompasses territories of two other neighboring departments: Cesar and La Guajira. With an approximate area of 21,158 square kilometers, the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta is an exceptional nature reserve that harbors unique biodiversity and is a sacred site for various indigenous communities residing there.
There are many rivers that originate in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, such as the Cauca River, the Magdalena River, and the Sinú River. These rivers provide important sources of water for the region and are vital to the local ecosystem.
The Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta is the highest mountain range of the Colombian Andes, standing at an altitude of 5,700 meters. The range runs from west to east and is approximately 150 kilometers long.
The distance between Santa Marta and Sierra Nevada is approximately 80 kilometers. It takes about two (2) hours by car to reach it.
The Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta is a mountain range that runs along the northern coast of Colombia. It is one of the most biodiverse places on Earth and is home to many indigenous peoples. The range includes several peaks, the highest of which is Pico Cristóbal Colón.
The Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta is a natural reserve located in Colombia. The reserve is home to a wide variety of plant and animal species, including the endangered Andean condor. To help protect this unique ecosystem, there are some things visitors can do. Firstly, hiking and camping are only allowed on designated trails and campsites. Secondly, all garbage must be properly disposed of to keep the area clean. Lastly, visitors should respect wildlife by not feeding them or disturbing their habitat. By following these guidelines, we can all help preserve the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta for future generations.
Several indigenous peoples live in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, such as the Arhuacos, the Koguis, and the Wiwas. These groups have lived in the region for centuries, and their traditional way of life is deeply intertwined with the natural environment. The Sierra Nevada is a unique and biodiverse ecosystem, and the indigenous people of the region have long been its guardians. However, in recent years, they have been threatened by the invasion of outsiders and by development projects that threaten to destroy their way of life.
The Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta is one of the most important mountain ranges in the world in terms of environmental balance. The range constitutes a critical link between the Amazonian and Andean ecosystems and harbors an incredible diversity of plant and animal species. Additionally, the Sierra Nevada is an important source of freshwater for the region. The Sierra Nevada provides water to over half of the Colombian population and is a key part of the country’s hydrological cycle. The Sierra Nevada is also an important habitat for many species of plants and animals, including some that are endemic to the region.