Orinoquía Region of Colombia

The Orinoquía region of Colombia

Departments and Capitals of the Orinoquía Region

Below is the complete list of departments and capitals of the Orinoquía region of Colombia:

Flags and Departments

• Arauca
• Casanare
• Meta
• Vichada

Departments and Capitals of the Orinoquía Region

• Arauca: Arauca.
• Casanare: Yopal.
• Meta: Villavicencio.
• Vichada: Puerto Carreño.

Subregions

The Colombian Orinoquía is divided into several natural subregions, which are:

• Piedemonte llanero.
• Plains of Meta.
• Plains of Guaviare.
• Swamps of Arauca.
• Serranía de la Macarena.

Natural Parks of the Orinoquía

The Orinoquía region has a large number of green areas, plains and riverbanks.

Below is the list of National Natural Parks and reserves:

• Parque nacional natural El Tuparro
• Sierra de la Macarena
• Parque nacional natural El Cocuy

Hydrography of the Orinoquía Region

Defined by the Orinoco River basin and its tributaries, the hydrography of the Orinoquía is extensive and abundant, abundantly bathing the Eastern Plains of Colombia. Below are the main rivers that bathe the Colombian Orinoquía:

• Guaviare River
• Meta River
• Vichada River
• Other basins
• Tomo River
• Arauca River
• Casanare River

Economy of the Orinoquía Region

The economy of the Orinoquía is mainly based on livestock and oil extraction.

Oil Wells

In the plains of the department of Arauca is Caño Limón, one of the main oil fields in Colombia. In the department of Meta, different oil wells have recently been found, and in the foothills of Casanare are the Cusiana fields.

Agriculture

The Orinoquía is known as "the pantry" of Colombia as it has very important agricultural areas that supply various products to the country such as cassava, plantain, avocado and many more.In recent years there has been a considerable increase in palm crops, as in other regions of the country.In the region there are also some alternative energy projects such as those based on wind energy.

Currently there is a boom in tourism and ecotourism in the region, especially coming from the center of the country.

Map of the Orinoquía Region

Download the map of the Orinoquía Region

Relief of the Orinoquía Region

The Colombian Orinoquía is a region mostly made up of plains, hence it is also known as the Eastern Plains of Colombia. However, there are some exceptions in the region.

The relief is mainly made up of plains, the most outstanding relief features are:

Piedemonte Llanero

The Sierra de la Macarena, located in the department of Meta. It is one of the most important mountain ranges in Colombia and the most important in the Amazon, as its fauna and flora are unique. The maximum height there is 2,200 m.

Sierra de La Macarena

The Sierra de la Macarena is located in the department of Meta. It is one of the most important mountain ranges in Colombia. It is the meeting point of the Amazon, Andean and Orinoquía regions. It has unique fauna and flora, in addition to having the renowned Caño Cristales, cataloged as unique in the world. The maximum height there is 2,200 m.

The Savannah

The savannah covers most of the region's territory. Starting in the department of Meta, it extends to Venezuelan territory, where it continues with an equally large extension.

Although it is mainly characterized by plains, there is diversity in the relief of the region, as different areas with undulating terrain, flooded savannahs and some higher areas can be found, especially on the borders with Cundinamarca.

Gastronomy

The typical dishes of the Orinoquía region are:

• La mamona (roasted veal seasoned only with salt and served with cassava, plantain and chili)
• Hayacas
• Chicha de unama (made with the seed of a type of palm)
• Guarapo de jugo de caña

Festivals

Among the festivals of this region, the following stand out:

• Las Cuadrillas de San Martín
• International Folkloric and Tourist Festival of the Plains (San Martín)
• World Coleo Meeting (Villavicencio)
• International Joropo Tournament (Villavicencio)
• Santa Bárbara Festival (Arauca)
• International Contrapunteo Tournament
• La Voz Recia (Yopal)

Musical Instruments

Among the musical instruments in the Orinoquía region, the following stand out:

• Harp
• Cuatro
• Capachos
• Furruco
• Bandola pinpon

Dances and Typical Costumes

Music is vital for the llaneros and is always present in all their activities. The coplas, contrapunteos, joropos, corridos and galerones, common to both Venezuelan and Colombian plains, sing the hopes and loves of the llaneros with maracas, cuatros and harps. Their traditional dance is:

• Joropo (with Arabic troubadour singing and flamenco-style foot tapping)
• Pasaje (a slower modality of joropo)
• Zumba que Zumba
• Galerón
• Golpe

As for the typical costume for women, it is a skirt with wide lace on the edge, a low-cut blouse, long sleeves and ruffles.

Men wear white pants rolled up to mid-calf, a white or red collarless shirt, sometimes a complete khaki outfit, a shirt hanging loosely over the pants, a wide-brimmed hat and black espadrilles.

Find more information about the regions of Colombia at IGAC.