Located in the northwest region of South America is where the countries Colombia, Ecuador and Peru are located. Majority of Colombia sits in the northern hemisphere of the globe, while all of Peru and majority of Ecuador sit in the southern hemisphere. These countries all are located within 20 degrees north and south of the equator, their island territories that are off the coast of mainland sit within these locations as well.
The landscape and physical environment of these countries are similar in many ways but also each country is unique in its own way, they are very diverse to say the least. The Andes Mountain Range pass through Colombia, Ecuador and Peru so you get your rugged topography and high lands through these parts of the countries as well as volcanoes. These countries all having coastline on the South Pacific Ocean share the similarity of having beaches and oceanic landscapes. Colombia being the only one of the three countries that borders the Caribbean Sea. Colombia, Ecuador and Peru also are all a part of the Amazon Basin experiencing forestry landscapes and drainage from the Amazon river and all of its tributaries. These territories are all home to grasslands and Colombia and Peru are even home to desert land.
The climate and weather in these countries can vary depending on what region of the territory you’re in, although earthquakes are common in all of these locations. If you’re on the coast by the ocean you will get more moderate and warm temperature compared to the mountainous regions where the higher the altitude the lower the temperature. In general, the weather in these countries tends to be hot and humid with high rainfall thanks to the Amazon Rainforest.
According to my South America Lonely Planet travel book the population of these locations is the following; Colombia’s population is 49,464,700 people, Ecuador’s population is 16.9 million people, and Peru’s population is 31.8 million people. The density of Colombia is 119 people per square mile with the total land area being 428,380 square miles. Colombia’s median age being 31.3 years old. Ecuador’s density is 184 people per square mile with the total land area being 95,892 square miles. The median age in Ecuador is 27.9 years old. Finally, with the statistics for Peru, the density coming in at 67 people per square mile, the total land area 494,211 square miles. The median age in Peru is 31 years old.
The official language of Colombia is Spanish, with English on the islands of San Andres and Providencia. “Most Colombians would consider themselves to be Roman Catholics”, according to Commisceo Global. Ecuador’s official language is Spanish as well as a Roman Catholic religion practice. In Peru, it is estimated there are between 300-700 languages spoken with Spanish being the most dominant language spoken, followed by Quechua and Aymara. Roman Catholic and Christianity are the most common religions practiced in Peru.
Mestizo’s make up majority of the ethnic groups in Colombia, Ecuador and Peru. Mestizo meaning a person of European and Indigenous American decent.
Major economic activities vary from country to country, Colombia for instance is one of the largest producers of cocaine, heroin, and cannabis, although these all being illegal drugs you have to consider that in their economic activity because it is a large part of it. Colombia’s economy is the fastest growing in the world, second to China, “the country has very large supplies of coal and petroleum (although the country itself is 70% powered by hydroelectric, making it a leader in renewable energy),” (Infoplease.com). Economic activities for Ecuador include production of petroleum, food processing, textiles, wood products and chemicals. Agriculture is largely important in Peru’s economic activity, so is mining and refining of minerals. Peru is also the second largest distributor for cocaine behind Colombia in illegal drug activity.
Main exports for Colombia according
to Wikipedia are petroleum, coal, emeralds, coffee, nickel, cut flowers, bananas, and
apparel. Major imports for Colombia are industrial equipment,
transportation equipment, consumer goods, chemicals, paper products, fuels, and
electricity. The largest import and export partner with Colombia, is the
United States. As goes for Ecuador, main exports are petroleum, bananas, fresh
cut flowers and shrimp. The main imports for Ecuador include vehicles,
medicinal products, telecommunications equipment and electricity, the United
States is also a major trading partner with Ecuador as well. Peru’s has a large
range of major exports from copper, gold, lead, zinc, and silver to fruits and
vegetables, petroleum, fish and chemicals. The main imports for Peru include petroleum
and petroleum products, chemicals, plastics, machinery and vehicles to
name a few. Peru’s largest trading partner is China. (Infoplease.com)
According to Macrotrends.net the GNP
for Colombia in 2018 was at $307.42 billion, a 5.99% increase from the previous
year. The GNP per capita for Colombia was at $6,190. Ecuador in 2018 had a GNP
of $104.51 billion a 6.24% increase from 2017, with the GNP per capita at
$6,120. And Peru’s GNP in 2018 at $208.92 billion, a 9.64% increase from 2017. Peru’s
GNP per capita was $6,530.
Andes. (2020, April 26). Retrieved April 27, 2020, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andes
Colombia. (n.d.). Retrieved April 27, 2020, from https://www.infoplease.com/world/countries/colombia
Colombia Population (LIVE). (n.d.). Retrieved April 27, 2020,
from https://www.worldometers.info/world-population/colombia-population/
Colombia GNP 1962-2020. (n.d.). Retrieved April 27, 2020, from https://www.macrotrends.net/countries/COL/colombia/gnp-gross-national-product
Dier, A. (2019, January 15). The
Landscape and Climate of Colombia. Retrieved April 27, 2020, from https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/travel/trip-ideas/landscape-and-climate-of-colombia/
Ecuador Population (LIVE). (n.d.). Retrieved April 27, 2020, from https://www.worldometers.info/world-population/ecuador-population/
Finlayson, C. (2019, June 14). Middle and South America.
Retrieved April 27, 2020, from https://worldgeo.pressbooks.com/chapter/middle-and-south-america/
Germani, G., & Ramos, V. A. (2019,
October 22). Geologic history. Retrieved April 27, 2020, from https://www.britannica.com/place/South-America/Geologic-history
Lonely Planet Publications. (2019). Lonely planet south america. S.l.
Peru Population (LIVE). (n.d.). Retrieved April 27, 2020,
from https://www.worldometers.info/world-population/peru-population/
Weather in South America. (n.d.). Retrieved April 27, 2020,
from http://www.climateandweather.com/weather-in-south-america
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Submitted by Hannah Lambert on April 27th, 2020.