Cordillera Occidental (Colombia)

Cordillera Occidental (West Andes)
Highest point
Peak	Cerro Tatamá
Elevation	4,100 m (13,500 ft)
Dimensions
Length	1,200 km (750 mi) north-south
Area	86,239 km2 (33,297 sq mi)
Geography
Country	Colombia

The Cordillera Occidental (English: West Andes) is the lowest in elevation of the three branches of the Colombian Andes. The average altitude is 2,000 m (6,600 ft) and the highest peak is Cerro Tatamá at 4,100 m (13,500 ft). The range extends from south to north dividing from the Colombian Massif in Nariño Department, passes north through Cauca, Valle del Cauca, Risaralda, Chocó, and Caldas Departments to the Paramillo Massif in Antioquia and Córdoba Departments. From this massif the range divides further to form the Serranías de Ayapel, San Jerónimo and Abibe. Only to recede into the Caribbean plain and the Sinú River valley.

The western part of the mountain range belongs to the Pacific region, with the San Juan River being the main watershed, while the eastern part belongs to the Cauca River basin. The northern and northwestern parts belong to the Atlantic Slope, with the Atrato and Sinú Rivers being the main watersheds. The Cordillera Occidental is separated from the coastal Baudó Mountains by the Atrato River.

The West Andes have the following nationally protected areas from south to north:

Other areas under consideration for national protection include:

...
Wikipedia