The Economy of Montes de María, Colombia

Abstract

The subregion of Montes de María is located in the Colombian Caribbean, in the middle part of the departments of Bolívar and Sucre. Its economy is based on farming activities such as livestock breeding and crops of cassava, plantain, corn, tobacco, coffee, and avocado. Recently, new commercial crops have do been developed such as oil palm, cocoa and hot pepper. The aim of this document is to describe the economic environment around this particular sub-region during the first decade of the xxi century. Results show a low economic development, mainly linked to violence, insecurity, high concentration of land, and high levels of poverty. Nevertheless, the sub-region of Montes de María has a great potential to develop agro-industrial and forestry crops and tourism.