What is the elevation of Colombia's highest mountain?
The highest mountain in Colombia is Pico Cristóbal Colón, which peaks at 5,776 meters above sea level. It is part of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta in the north of the country.
Cristóbal Colón Peak, Colombia's highest summit
The Cristóbal Colón Peak reaches 5,776 meters in altitude, making it the highest point in Colombia. It is located in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, a coastal mountain range unique in the world due to its proximity to the Caribbean Sea.
Characteristics of the Sierra Nevada
This mountain is part of an isolated massif that rises directly from sea level to over 5,700 meters in just 42 kilometers of horizontal distance. The Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta is home to exceptional biodiversity and ancestral indigenous communities.
Key takeaways
- Cristóbal Colón Peak shares virtually the same altitude with Simón Bolívar Peak (5,775 m), its immediate neighbor
- These summits are among the highest coastal mountains in the world
- The region is classified as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve