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GeographyApril 3, 20261 min readEarthGuessr Team

How to Recognise Colombia in Satellite Images

Western Colombia has several Andean ranges separated by valleys.

Colombia regional satellite composite with shaded relief
NASA Earth Observatory / MODIS, August 2004. Regional composite with shaded relief and bathymetry; it shows landforms, not political boundaries or current conditions.

Western Colombia has several Andean ranges separated by valleys. Lower ground extends east towards the Orinoco and Amazon basins. The country reaches both the Caribbean and Pacific, so a coastline in a Colombian image may have a very different setting depending on which side you see.

The Andes split into separate ranges

Trace the Magdalena valley between mountain belts, then compare it with the lowlands east of the Andes. Notice how the river network changes with the relief.

Similar landscapes across borders

Mountain farming can resemble Ecuador or Peru, while eastern forest continues into Brazil. A green valley alone is insufficient. Try to establish whether the river runs between ranges or across a lowland plain.

Sources and further reading

Series · Spot the Country

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