Colombia Elevation Facts
| Average elevation |
593 m (1,946 ft) |
| Highest point |
Pico Cristobal Colon: 5,730 m (18,799 ft) |
| Lowest point |
Pacific Ocean: 0 m (0 ft) |
| Elevation range |
5,730 m (18,799 ft) from the lowest point to the highest |
| Highest-elevation city |
Soatá: 2,930 m (9,613 ft) |
| Lowest-elevation city |
Cartagena: 2 m (7 ft) |
Colombia has a diverse topography that includes the Andean mountain range and two coastlines.
The Andean range is divided into three branches, with the highest peaks reaching over 5,000 meters. The eastern plains make up nearly half of Colombia's land area and are mostly flat with some low hills.
The Pacific coast has steep, rugged mountains that plunge into the sea, while the Caribbean coast is characterized by lowlands, including the northernmost point of South America, the La Guajira Peninsula.
The Colombian Amazon makes up a significant portion of the country's territory, with the terrain being mostly flat with some rolling hills.
Highest Point in Colombia
The highest point in Colombia is Pico Cristobal Colon, which rises 5,730 meters above sea level and is located in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountains.
Lowest Point in Colombia
The lowest point in Colombia is the Pacific Ocean coast, which has an elevation of 0 meters at sea level.
Countries with Similar Topography to Colombia
Compared to neighboring countries like Ecuador and Peru, Colombia's highland areas are less extensive but still offer a great variety of landscapes, including volcanoes, snow-capped peaks, and deep river valleys.
Highest-Elevation Cities in Colombia
Soatá is the highest-elevation city in Colombia, at 2,930 m (9,613 ft) above sea level. The table below lists the major cities with their elevations, from highest to lowest.
| City |
Elevation |
Elevation in feet |
| Soatá |
2,930 m |
9,613 ft |
| Bogotá |
2,640 m |
8,661 ft |
| Pasto |
2,527 m |
8,291 ft |
| Manizales |
2,150 m |
7,054 ft |
| Medellín |
1,495 m |
4,905 ft |
| Pereira |
1,411 m |
4,629 ft |
| Ibagué |
1,294 m |
4,245 ft |
| Cali |
1,014 m |
3,327 ft |
| Barranquilla |
13 m |
43 ft |
| Santa Marta |
6 m |
20 ft |
| Cartagena |
2 m |
7 ft |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the highest point in Colombia?
The highest point in Colombia is Pico Cristobal Colon, at 5,730 m (18,799 ft) above sea level.
What is the lowest point in Colombia?
The lowest point in Colombia is Pacific Ocean, at 0 m (0 ft).
What is the average elevation of Colombia?
The average elevation of Colombia is 593 m (1,946 ft) above sea level, based on the CIA World Factbook.
What is the highest-elevation city in Colombia?
Soatá is the highest-elevation city in Colombia, at 2,930 m (9,613 ft) above sea level.
What is the lowest-elevation city in Colombia?
Of the cities listed for Colombia, Cartagena is the lowest, at 2 m (7 ft) above sea level.
What is the elevation range in Colombia?
Elevation in Colombia ranges from 0 m (0 ft) at Pacific Ocean to 5,730 m (18,799 ft) at Pico Cristobal Colon, a difference of 5,730 m (18,799 ft).