Colombia's principal coffee-growing regions are situated at elevations ranging from 1,500 to over 2,200 metres. The country's proximity to the equator, the influence of both the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, its mountainous terrain, and the diversity of its microclimates create ideal conditions for coffee cultivation and support harvests throughout much of the year. The predominance of hand-picking enables producers to offer coffees across a broad spectrum of quality levels — from dependable commercial grades to outstanding specialty lots.