Pacific Region of Colombia
The Pacific Region of Colombia consists of 4 departments and is part of the 6 natural regions of Colombia, located facing the Colombian Pacific Ocean.
The Pacific Region of Colombia is a region characterized by the splendor of its nature and the diversity of its people and customs. The predominant race is Afro-Colombian, the rest of the population is made up of mestizos, mulattos and zambos (mix of Afro-Colombian and indigenous); tribes such as the Katíos, Chocoes, Cítaraes and Cholos can still be found, who unfortunately live in conditions of abandonment.The Pacific Region is one of the 6 natural regions of Colombia and is made up of the entire department of Chocó and the coastal areas of the departments of Valle del Cauca, Cauca and Nariño.
Departments and Capitals of the Pacific Region
Below is the complete list of departments and capitals of the Pacific region of Colombia:
Flags and Departments
Departments and Capitals of the Pacific Region
- Chocó: Quibdó
- Valle del Cauca: Cali
- Cauca: Popayán
- Nariño: Pasto
Natural Subregions
The Colombian Pacific Region is divided into several natural subregions, which are:
- Serranía del Baudó
- Atrato River Valley
- San Juan River Valley
- Pacific Coastal Plain
Natural Parks of the Pacific Region
Because it is one of the rainiest regions on the planet, the Pacific region of Colombia has a large number of parks and nature reserves. Below is the complete list:
- Parque nacional natural Ensenada de Utría
- Parque nacional natural Gorgona
- Parque nacional natural Tatamá
- Parque nacional natural Sanquianga
- Parque nacional natural de Los Katíos
- Parque nacional natural Uramba Bahía Málaga
In the Colombian Pacific there are also the Malpelo Flora and Fauna Sanctuary, and the La Manigua Botanical Garden.
Hydrography of the Pacific Region
The rivers in this region constitute the only means of transportation and even economic development in different areas, because the region is mostly made up of jungle. Below is the list of the main rivers of the region:
- Atrato River
- San Juan River
- Baudó River
- Mira River
- Patía River
Economy of the Pacific Region
This is a region with immense ecological, hydrographic, mining and forestry wealth.
Its economy is mainly based on:
- Industrial deep-sea fishing
- Mariculture, i.e. the cultivation of marine organisms for food products
- Forest extraction for different national and international markets
- Livestock farming
Mineral extraction also constitutes an important economic activity, among the most important are:
- Industrial gold mining
- Industrial platinum mining
In agriculture, industrialized crops include:
- African palm
- Banana
- Plantain
Celebrations and Festivals of the Colombian Pacific Region
Among the most popular celebrations and festivals of the Pacific region of Colombia are:
- The San Pacho Festivities in Chocó, starting September 20.
- The Currulao Festival in Tumaco.
- The Fire Carnival in Tumaco.
- The Folkloric Festival of the Pacific Coast in Buenaventura.
- The Purísima Festivities in Guapi.
- The National Bullerengue Festival in Puerto Escondido, Córdoba.
- International Fair and Sugar Cane Pageant (Valle del Cauca)
- Salsa Festival (Juanchito)
- Mono Núñez Traditional Music Festival (Ginebra)
- Black and White Carnival (Nariño)
- Religious Music Festival (Cauca)
- Holy Week Celebration (Popayán)
- Festibuga (Buga)
- Latin American Folk Dance Festival (Guacarí)
- National Bambuco Pageant
- Folkloric Festival (Neiva)
- San Pedro Festival (Espinal)
Gastronomy
Among the typical dishes are:
- Great variety in the preparation of fish and plantain (in Chocó)
- Chicken sancocho
- Pandebono
- Manjar blanco (in Valle)
- Guinea pig, potato, fish, seafood (in Nariño)
- Pipián and empanadas (in Cauca)
Musical Instruments
The most used musical instruments in the Pacific region are:
- Marimba
- Male and female conucos
- Bombo drum
- Universal side drum
- Tubular rattles
Dances and Typical Costumes
Its folklore includes dances such as:
- Mapalé
- Currulao
- Contradanza
- Jota
- Calypso
- Tamborino
- Alabaos
- Arrullos
The folkloric dress for women is a skirt that reaches the ankles in bright colors.
Men wear white drill pants, long-sleeved white silk shirt and slippers or espadrilles made from cabuya, fique or thick fabric.
Find more information about the regions of Colombia at IGAC.