The Magdalena is a natural and important avenue of communication, linking the interior highlands with the coastal lowlands. Its navigability is hampered by sandbars, rapids, and fluctuating water levels.
Railways connect navigable sections.
The tropical valley of the Magdalena is thinly populated. Economic development has been retarded except for the oil industry. Coffee is the chief crop along the river's upper course. Listing from Electric Library , a pay service. Copyright 2001 Infonautics Corporation .