The Amazon, a sacred and multi-ethnic territory with natural secrets to discover

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The Amazon is a department in which respect   and knowledge  of    nature  arepillars of  its  culture. In addition, it is the multi-ethnic territory that enjoys great gastronomic diversity, natural scenarios and a strong ancestral knowledge.

The department is part of the Colombian Amazon-Orinoquía. The green region of the country, where rivers cross the jungle  and  plains, also where  communities and nature coexist in harmony. In addition, it is divided into two territories that house natural habitats and ancestral cultures that are world heritage sites.

Geography

Although the amazonas department is one of the largest in the country, most of its territory is still unexplored.  This territory is bordered to  the north by Caquetá and Vaupés; to the east with the Amazon (Brazil); to the south with Loreto (Peru) and to the west with  Putumayo.

Also, through the department run some of the most important rivers of Colombia the Amazon, Apaporis, Putumayo and Caquetá. These also serve as communication routes in the territory.

Capt: Leticia, in addition to being the capital of the department, is also the gateway.

Destinations

The department of Amazonas is a privileged territory thanks to its geographical position and that it has unique natural places such as the Amacayacu National Natural Park, Puerto Nariño, Mocagua Community, Tarapoto Lakes and Loretayacu.

There are also other natural destinations to visit such as Leticia, Isla de los Micos, Francisco José de Caldas Zoological Botanical Garden, Flor de Loto Natural Reserve, Cahuinari National Natural Park, Witoto indigenous reservation of Monilla Amena, Río Puré National Natural Park and  Yaigojé Apaporis National Natural Park.

Featured: Download a brochure of the department of Meta and learn more about tourist destinations in the territory.

Biodiversity

The relationship with nature is very important in the culture of the Amazon. From an early age, its inhabitants are instilled with knowledge about medicinal plants, rivers, animals and the land in general. From the above, respect for the environment is born and a culture arises where spirituality and sacred entities prevail.

Among all the diversity of the department it is worth mentioning that in the territory it is common to find tree canopies, lianas and ceiba trees. Also, there are unique species such as the pink dolphin and the water tiger. Both are considered  mythological beings in their culture.

Capt: Most of the Amazon's transportation is by waterway.

Culture and ethnic groups

One of the most important characteristics of the department is that it is a multi-ethnic territory, so there is more than one name in the territory: scorched leticiano, indigenado leticiano, acolombionado leticiano, leticiano aperuanado and leticiano.

In addition, in the department there are approximately 26 indigenous ethnic groups with a population of 46000 members. Of the above, 14 families stand out the tukano, arawak, tikuna, yagua, yacunas, uitoto and nukak. Many of them are located on the trifront:  Brazil, Colombia and Peru.

Gastronomy

The cuisine of the department is known for its tastiness, especially thanks to fishing and hunting, in addition to the spices stolen from the borders. Likewise, its gastronomy is born from a fusion of Colombian, Brazilian and Peruvian food. From the above, traditional dishes such as la  patarashca, chuchuhuasi, copoazú cream, catfish in coconut sauce and moqueado fishare derived.

Finally, the history of the Amazon is that of a multi-ethnic territory in which they base their culture on ancestral knowledge and derived from the secrets of nature,this principle being the balance with the environment and from which lies the essence of life.

Photo caption: The department of Amazonas is inhabited by 42% of indigenous people.