Insular Region of Colombia
Insular region: list of 1 department (San Andrés, Providencia and Santa Catalina), capitals, islands and profiles. Cultural Caribbean link in the FAQ.
Updated 23 Sep 2026 · Source: Wikipedia / geography
The Insular region of Colombia is one of the country’s six natural regions. It groups 1 department: San Andrés, Providencia and Santa Catalina.
The archipelago lies in the western Caribbean Sea. It is Colombia’s only fully insular department. Other islands in the Caribbean and the Pacific belong to continental departments: they are named here as islands, not as extra departments.
Some geographic frames describe five continental zones and treat the islands separately. On this site the Insular region is the sixth natural region, together with Andean, Caribbean, Pacific, Orinoquía and Amazon.
See the natural regions hub.
Departments and capitals
| Department | Capital | Profile |
|---|---|---|
| San Andrés, Providencia and Santa Catalina | San Andrés | /en/departamento/san-andres-y-providencia/ |
Islands of other departments (they do not add departments)
These islands belong to continental departments. On the Insular page they are named as islands, not as extra departments:
| Island / archipelago | Continental department |
|---|---|
| Rosario and San Bernardo islands | Bolívar (Caribbean) |
| Gorgona Island | Cauca (Andean and Pacific) |
| Malpelo Island | Valle del Cauca (Andean and Pacific) |
| Other coastal islands (for example Tierra Bomba, Isla Fuerte) | According to the continental department |
Location
The Archipelago of San Andrés, Providencia and Santa Catalina is in the western Caribbean Sea. Other Caribbean and Pacific islands stay with their continental departments.
Climate and the sea
Warm island climate; reefs, mangroves and open sea. Providencia and Santa Catalina keep a quieter, nature-focused profile. We do not cite invented °C.
Economy
- Tourism
- Fishing
- Trade and the free zone (San Andrés)
- Local services
Gorgona and Malpelo work mainly as protected areas and research sites, not as urban centers.
Culture, food and festivals
Raizal culture with Anglo-Caribbean influence in the archipelago: Creole language, music and its own traditions.
Food (examples): fish and seafood, rondon, dishes with coconut and crab.
Festivals (selection): Raizal Culture Festival; Green Moon Festival; Crab Festival; Coconut Festival; Providencia Carnival.
Natural parks (selection)
- Old Providence McBean Lagoon National Park
- Corales del Rosario y San Bernardo National Park (Bolívar)
- Gorgona National Park (Cauca / Pacific)
- Malpelo Flora and Fauna Sanctuary (Valle / Pacific)
Archipelago and sea
San Andrés is the department’s urban and commercial center. Providencia and Santa Catalina offer a smaller setting, with reefs and very living Raizal traditions. Creole and Spanish share daily life.
The Seaflower Biosphere Reserve underlines the importance of the sea and the reefs. Diving and snorkeling are frequent attractions, always under local protection rules.
Insular and the six-region frame
- This site presents six natural regions; Insular is one of them.
- Some frames (IGAC, IDEAM) describe five continental zones and treat the islands separately.
- N = 1 department: San Andrés, Providencia and Santa Catalina.
- Other islands (Rosario, Gorgona, Malpelo, and others) = islands of other departments, not extra departments.
- San Andrés shares the sea and cultural ties with the Caribbean; the main listing for lookup is Insular.
Relation to the Caribbean region
San Andrés and Providencia are in the Caribbean Sea. That is why many school texts mention cultural and maritime ties with the coast. This department is not added to the 7 on the Caribbean region table. The main listing is Insular; the Caribbean link is stated in the FAQ and in this note.
That avoids double counting (a Caribbean 8 that includes San Andrés) and stays consistent with the hub of six regions.
How to use this page in class
- Place the archipelago on a map of the western Caribbean.
- Confirm that the only department of the Insular region is San Andrés, Providencia and Santa Catalina.
- Distinguish islands of other departments (Rosario, Gorgona, Malpelo) from the insular department.
- If needed, contrast the five continental zones with the presentation of six natural regions.
Frequently asked questions
How many departments does the Insular region have?
1: San Andrés, Providencia and Santa Catalina.
Is San Andrés Caribbean or Insular?
In this presentation: Insular. It shares the Caribbean Sea and cultural ties with the coast. It is not added to the 7 departments of the Caribbean region.
Why are there 6 regions if some texts speak of 5?
Because some geographic frames describe five continental zones and set the islands aside. Here the six natural regions are presented, including the Insular region.
Do Rosario, Gorgona or Malpelo add more departments?
No. They are islands of other departments.
Other regions
Sources
Copy review: 23 Sep 2026 (America/Bogota). Version v3-mau-wikipedia.