The Cordillera Occidental in the west, the CordilleraCentral in the center, and the Cordillera Oriental in the east have different characteristics.
Geologically, the Cordillera Occidental and the CordilleraCentral form the western and eastern sides of a massive crystalline arch that extends from the Caribbean lowlands to the southern border of Ecuador.
The Cordillera Occidental is separated from the CordilleraCentral by the deep rift of the Cauca Valley.