THE TROPICAL LOWLANDS.—Temperature varies with altitude, and suggests the best method of marking the country off into groups of natural regions. Along the west and north-west coasts, in the river valleys, and on the eastern plains, tropical conditions prevail. The precipitation is heavy, especially on the Pacific coast, where a monsoon rainfall occurs, and south of the Guaviare, where much moisture is brought by the winds which blow over the Amazonian lowlands. Below an altitude of about 3,000 feet the products are of a purely tropical nature. Sugar is grown in the valleys of the Cauca and Magdalena, and along the Caribbean coast. At present it only satisfies the home demand, but it is claimed that there are large areas which might profitably grow it for export. Cacao might likewise be cultivated to a greater extent than at present, as only a small amount seems available for shipment abroad. The raising of bananas for export,
chiefly to the United States, has made considerable progress in the north within recent years. Cotton is produced along the coast and to a certain extent in the interior, and vigorous measures have recently been taken to encourage its cultivation. Rubber is found both in the inter-Andine valleys and in the basin of the Amazon, and here also are great and practically untouched supplies of valuable timber. There are rich cattle-raising districts along the Caribbean coast, in the valleys of the lower Magdalena and the Simi rivers, and in the llanos of the Orinoco basin. This last region is, however, handicapped by want of good communications. Rice and tobacco are also grown, the latter partly for export to Germany.