Colombia is one of the
world's seventeen megadiverse countries;
it has the second-highest level of biodiversity in the world. Its
territory encompasses Amazon rainforest, highlands, grasslands and
deserts. It is the only country in South America with coastlines and
islands along both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.
Colombia has major attractions for a tourist destination, such as Cartagena
and its historic surroundings, which are on the UNESCO World Heritage List;
the insular department of San Andrés, Providencia y Santa Catalina; and Santa Marta and the surrounding area.
The coffee region is also a very popular destination, especially the traditional town of Salento, Quindío and
its surroundings. Fairly recently, Bogotá, the nation's capital, has become Colombia's major tourist destination because of its improved
museums and entertainment facilities and its major urban renovations, including the rehabilitation of public areas, the development of
parks, and the creation of an extensive network of cycling routes.
With its very rich and varied geography, which includes the Amazon and
Andean regions, the Llanos, the Caribbean and Pacific coasts, and the deserts of
La Guajira and Tatacoa Desert, and its unique biodiversity, Colombia also has major
potential for ecotourism.
