La Naturaleza

Section 1

Colombia es un verdadero paraíso. The Caribbean, Pacific, Orinoco, Amazon, Andean, and Insular regions of Colombia each offer a unique and natural beauty that is hard to find anywhere else in the world. With close proximity to the equator and an incredible amount of topographical diversity, Colombia is a perfect place for things to grow. When it comes to biodiversity, this nation comes in first place in a number of categories including species of palms and orchids. Colombia boasts an insane amount of endemic species as well. Around 14% of species living in Colombia can only be found within the nation's borders.

Varying climates and altitudes allowed for a number of ecosystems to develop in Colombia, and the nation's moorlands, jungles, grasslands, wetlands, and valleys are home to a number of iconic South American animals like macaws, toucans, jaguars, and capybaras.

El valle del cauca is one of Colombia's many biodiversity hotspots and is home to around 2,840 species. The biodiversity of this valley is not only critical for the lives of many who live there, but also for the planet in its entirety. Many of the migratory pollinators within Colombia have incredibly important jobs that influence the health of ecosystems in both North and South America.

There is no question that deforestation and climate change have severely impacted the ecological balance in nations like Colombia. When speaking on such things, our focus often falls on long-term ecological impacts, but there is also much to be said about the way that the destruction of natural spaces impacts the cultural security of those who call Colombia home.

Colombia is a multicultural nation in every sense of the word. Each of its six unique natural regions fostered the development of vibrant cultures, customs, and music. As people made their move to these places, the iconic aspects of their homes heavily influenced their identities as individuals and members of cultural groups. For many, the natural world is woven into music, clothing, religion, economics, and a number of other things. Changes to the health of an environment can make it difficult for many to preserve important traditions. Entire groups of people have lost their homes and key parts of their way of life. And in the absence of the people that lived in and protected these natural spaces, the land is often warped.

Birds that used to sing will never be heard again, and flowers that used to bloom will never be seen again, and parts of homes are lost forever. As deforestation becomes an increasingly pressing issue across South America, the importance of oral histories has become incredibly apparent. Stories keep places alive, even when they are taken from you.

Flowers still bloom when you speak of them blooming. Birds still sing when you remember them singing. Those things are just as important to one's home as tables and chairs.

Estas son historias de la belleza natural de Colombia.