Geography & environment — Colombia
Location, land area, terrain, climate, and natural resources.
Profile updated 2026-06-02
⚡ Geography & environment at a glance
Location, land area, terrain, climate, and natural resources. Key figure for Colombia: South America
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Location & size
- Geographic Location
South America
- Geographic Coordinates
4 00 N, 72 00 W
- Total Area
439,733 Square Miles 1,138,910 Square Kilometers
- Land Area
401,042 Square Miles 1,038,700 Square Kilometers
- Water Area
38,691 Square Miles 100,210 Square Kilometers
- Land Boundaries
3,920 Miles 6,309 Kilometers
- Border Countries
Brazil 1,644 km, Ecuador 590 km, Panama 225 km, Peru 1,800 km, Venezuela 2,050 km
- Coastline
1,993 Miles 3,208 Kilometers
Physical geography
- Terrain
flat coastal lowlands, central highlands, high Andes Mountains, eastern lowland plains
- Highest Point
5,775 Meters
- Highest Point Location
Pico Cristobal Colon 5,775 m
- Lowest Point Location
Pacific Ocean 0 m
- Natural Resources
petroleum, natural gas, coal, iron ore, nickel, gold, copper, emeralds, hydropower
- Irrigated Land
4,197 Square Miles 10,870 Square Kilometers
Climate & time
- Time Zone
UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Climate
- Climate
Colombia's climate varies with its different altitudes. Its three climatic zones are called: "hot country," "temperate country," and "cold country." Columbia is tropical along the coast and eastern plains; cooler in the highlands.
- Terrain
flat coastal lowlands, central highlands, high Andes Mountains, eastern lowland plains
- Location
Northern South America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Panama and Venezuela, and bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between Ecuador and Panama
- Total Area
439,733 Square Miles 1,138,910 Square Kilometers
- Border Countries
Brazil 1,644 km, Ecuador 590 km, Panama 225 km, Peru 1,800 km, Venezuela 2,050 km
Environment
- Environment - Current Issues
- deforestation
- soil and water quality damage from overuse of pesticides
- air pollution, especially in Bogota, from vehicle emissions
- Environment - International Agreements
- party to: Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed,
- but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation