The Cordillera Oriental () is the widest of the three branches of the Colombian Andes. The range extends from south to north dividing from the Colombian Massif in Huila Department to Norte de Santander Department where it splits into the Serranía del Perijá and the Cordillera de Mérida in Venezuelan Andes. The highest peak is Ritacuba Blanco at in the Sierra Nevada del Cocuy. Geography The western part of the Cordillera Oriental belongs to the Magdalena River basin, while the eastern part includes the river basins of the Amazon River, Orinoco River, and Catatumbo River. Within it, the Altiplano Cundiboyacense and the Sierra Nevada del Cocuy (with the only snowy peaks in this mountain range) stand out. The mountain range contains the most páramos in the world. The Cordillera Oriental montane forests ecoregion covers the eastern slopes of the cordillera and its northern end. The Magdalena Valley montane forests cover the western slopes. The Northern Andean páramo covers the highest elevations. Protected areas Cueva de los Guácharos Chingaza National Natural Park Yariguíes National Park Sierra Nevada del Cocuy Sumapaz Páramo Tamá National Natural Park Los Estoraques Unique Natural Area Lake Iguaque Guanentá Alto Río Fonce Flora and Fauna Sanctuary Catatumbo Barí National Natural Park Los Picachos National Natural Park Pisba National Natural Park Regional geology See also Geography of Colombia Altiplano Cundiboyacense, Bogotá savanna, Tenza Valley Cordillera Central, Occidental, Andean Region, Venezuelan Andes, continuation of this mountain system References Mountain ranges of the Andes Mountain ranges of Colombia .