The Archipelago of San Andrés, Providencia and Santa Catalina is a Colombian overseas department in the Caribbean Sea characterized by coral islands, tropical vegetation, lagoons, and surrounding coral reefs.

San Andrés, Providencia and Santa Catalina Coat of Arms

📍 San Andrés and Providencia are an archipelago located in the southwestern Caribbean Sea, situated closer to Nicaragua than to mainland Colombia, to which they belong as a department. The territory consists of the main islands of San Andrés, Providencia, and Santa Catalina, along with numerous smaller cays and reefs, with no land borders and surrounded entirely by the Caribbean Sea.

San Andrés and Providencia’s geography is characterized by low-lying coral islands and smaller volcanic formations, with a total land area of about 52 square kilometers (20 square miles). San Andrés is relatively flat with sandy beaches and coastal lagoons, while Providencia is more mountainous and rugged, with lush vegetation and higher elevations. The surrounding waters are known for their clear turquoise color—often called the “Sea of Seven Colors”—and support extensive coral reefs and marine biodiversity. The archipelago’s location and natural features have shaped its development as a center for tourism, fishing, and cultural exchange in the Caribbean.