Cauca Department
Encyclopedia
Cauca is a Department
of Colombia
. Located in the south-western part of the country, facing the Pacific Ocean to the west, the Valle del Cauca Department
to the north, Tolima Department to the northeast, Huila Department
to the east and the Nariño Department
to the south, covering a total area of 29,308 km², the 13th largest in Colombia. Its capital is the city of Popayán
. The offshore island of Malpelo
belongs to the department. It is located in the southwest of the country near the Andean (between 00°58'54"N and 03°19'04"N latitude, 75°47'36"W and 77°57'05"W longitude). The area includes 2.56% of the country. Cauca is considered the 'epicentre' of the Colombian armed conflict
as of 2011.
, Caloto
, Puerto Tejada
, Santander de Quilichao
, Patia
, Guapi
and Silvia
, makes up the judicial district, Popayán, with 8 seats judicial circuit in Popayán, Bolívar, Caloto, Guapi, Patia, Puerto Tejada, Santander de Quilichao and Silvia. The department makes up the constituency of Cauca.
The western cordillera in the Cauca extends from southwest to northeast, among the most important accidents is the blade of Napí, the hills of Guaduas, Munchique and Naya and the Cauca River Valley. The central mountain range crosses from south to north of the department, relevant accidents are Sotará volcano, Petacas Nevado del Huila
and in the departmental boundary.
The highlands of Popayán, sandwiched between the Western and Central Cordilleras, is seen as an accident within the plateau the hill La Tetilla. The Colombian Massif shared with the department of Huila
, among the most representative accidents are the Páramo del buey, the volcanoes of Cutanga and Puracé, the peak of Paletará and the Sierra Nevada of Coconucos. Patia Valley, framed by the Central and Western mountain ranges, where the river runs north-south Patia, extends to the department of Nariño
. The Amazon Basin, corresponds to the so-called Bota Caucana, through which the Caquetá river.
and Nariño
in the south is the Nudo de los Pastos and emerge north central and eastern mountain ranges.
The Colombian Massif
is a strategic national and international level, given its significance for water production, biodiversity and ecosystems, an area that represents a special conformation of the regions with more potential for development in Colombia, but also, major problems that can lead to accelerated degradation process. It is very important to the Colombian Massif and the national government has no resources specified destination to prevent further deterioration of the region. That was the reason that motivated me to submit a bill for the Colombian Massif is regarded as cultural heritage, environment and ecology of the country, so that monies are included annually in the General Budget of the nation to advance plans integrated management of basins of major rivers are born there, in addition to resolving the land tenure conflict, the disadvantages on roads, education, health, the missing energy, to prevent livestock extend further progress, and definitely have a tool that allows us to solve in the first instance to a region of many needs and even the state should receive significant royalties for being the area that brings more water into the country.
The Pacific Rim, made up mainly by rivers Guapi, Timbiquí, Saija and Micay. Alto Magdalena, the main source of the Paez River drainage is that the rivers San Vicente, Moras, ulluco, Negro y Negro de Narvaez, and streams Toez, Símbola, Salado, Gualcar, Gallo, Macana, Honda and Totumo. Patia basin, consists of the Patia River and its tributary rivers Guachinoco, Ismita, Bojoleo, El Guaba, Sambingo and Mayo.
Caquetá basin, consists of the Caquetá River where the rivers Cusiyaco, Cascabelito, Verdeyaco, Mandiyaco, Fragua, Cascabel, Curiaco and Pacayaco. Gorgonilla and Gorgona
islands and located in the Pacific Ocean, belong to the territory Cauca.
In the Pacific region is extracted gold, silver and platinum. Other non-precious minerals that are exploited are sulfur, asbestos, limestone, talc, gypsum and coal. The manufacturing industry is located in Popayán, Santander de Quilichao
, Puerto Tejada
with factories of food, beverages, dairy products, paper, packaging, wood processing, sugar industry and paper processing for export. The main centers of commercial activity are Popayán, Santander de Quilichao, Patia
, Puerto Tejada, Piendamó
and Corinto
.
. Between September and November 2010 over 75 policemen and soldiers have been killed by guerrillas of the FARC-EP. The Cauca region is also important for the cultivation of coca
, which makes it even more of a hot spot as guerrillas, paramilitaries and state forces battle for control over drug routes to the pacific coast. According to press reports the FARC and ELN have transformed the department into a 'fortress', effectively launching attacks against security forces on a daily basis.
Quintana and Mondomo are also part of el departamento del Cauca
Departments of Colombia
Colombia is an unitary republic formed by thirty-two departments and a Capital District . Each department has a Governor and a Department Assembly , elected by popular vote for a four-year period. The governor cannot be re-elected in consecutive periods...
of Colombia
Colombia
Colombia, officially the Republic of Colombia , is a unitary constitutional republic comprising thirty-two departments. The country is located in northwestern South America, bordered to the east by Venezuela and Brazil; to the south by Ecuador and Peru; to the north by the Caribbean Sea; to the...
. Located in the south-western part of the country, facing the Pacific Ocean to the west, the Valle del Cauca Department
Valle del Cauca Department
Valle del Cauca is a department of Colombia. It is in the western side of the country, facing the Pacific Ocean, and it is considered one of the most important departments in the Republic of Colombia. Its capital is Santiago de Cali...
to the north, Tolima Department to the northeast, Huila Department
Huila Department
Huila is one of the departments of Colombia. It is located in the southwest of the country, and its capital is Neiva.-Geography:The south of the department is located in the Colombian Massif...
to the east and the Nariño Department
Nariño Department
Nariño is a department of Colombia named after Antonio Nariño. It is in the west of the country, bordering Ecuador and the Pacific Ocean.Its capital is Pasto, other important cities include Tumaco, Ipiales.-Municipalities:# Albán# Aldana# Ancuya...
to the south, covering a total area of 29,308 km², the 13th largest in Colombia. Its capital is the city of Popayán
Popayán
Popayán is the capital of the Colombian department of Cauca. It is located in southwestern Colombia between Colombia's Western Mountain Range and Central Mountain Range...
. The offshore island of Malpelo
Malpelo
Malpelo can refer to:*Malpelo Island off Colombia's Pacific coast*Punta Malpelo, a point near Guayaquil, Ecuador...
belongs to the department. It is located in the southwest of the country near the Andean (between 00°58'54"N and 03°19'04"N latitude, 75°47'36"W and 77°57'05"W longitude). The area includes 2.56% of the country. Cauca is considered the 'epicentre' of the Colombian armed conflict
Colombian Armed Conflict
The Colombian armed conflict or Colombian Civil War are terms that are employed to refer to the current asymmetric low-intensity armed conflict in Colombia that has existed since approximately 1964 or 1966, between the Colombian government and peasant guerrillas such as the Revolutionary Armed...
as of 2011.
Administrative Division
Cauca department is divided into 38 municipalities, 99 districts, 474 police posts and numerous villages and populated places. The municipalities are grouped into 27 circles and 29 notaries notary, a circle-based registration in Popayán and eight sectional offices based in BolívarBolívar, Cauca
Bolívar is a town and municipality in the Cauca Department, Colombia. Founded in October 1784 by Domingo Belisario Gómez, the municipality covers an area of and has a population of 57,511. The population is primarily engaged in agriculture and ranching....
, Caloto
Caloto, Cauca
Caloto is a town and municipality in the Cauca Department, Colombia....
, Puerto Tejada
Puerto Tejada, Cauca
-History:Established on September 17 of 1897. The founder of Puerto Tejada was General Manuel Tejada Sanchez, the town was named after him. Puerto Tejada was founded to organize blacks in Colombia. During the 18th and 19th century black slaves and free blacks were revolting in this region...
, Santander de Quilichao
Santander de Quilichao
Santander de Quilichao is a town and municipality in the Cauca Department, Colombia.-External links:...
, Patia
Patia, Cauca
Patía is a colombian municipality located in Cauca department. The municipality bedside of Patía is The Bordo municipality.Within the main touristic attractions of the region we can find Piedra Sentada: The Parador Patía, The Lerma Hill and surely, Patía river that irrigate the valley with itself...
, Guapi
Guapi, Cauca
Guapi is a town and municipality in the Cauca Department, Colombia. The municipality of Guapi is located on the Guapi River four miles away from the Pacific Ocean and also covers the island of Gorgona....
and Silvia
Silvia, Cauca
Silvia is a town and municipality in the Cauca Department, Colombia. It is often visited as a weekend getaway by residents of Cali, which has a much hotter climate...
, makes up the judicial district, Popayán, with 8 seats judicial circuit in Popayán, Bolívar, Caloto, Guapi, Patia, Puerto Tejada, Santander de Quilichao and Silvia. The department makes up the constituency of Cauca.
Physiography
The relief of the territory of the department of Cauca belongs to the Andean system at the macro level seven distinguishing morphological units: the Pacific plate, western cordillera, Central cordillera, highlands of Popayán, Macizo Colombiano, Valle del Patia and the sector of the Amazon basin. The Pacific plate comprises two sectors, the alluvial coastal belt or platform characterized by low, covered with mangrove forest, swampy, both the quantity of rivers, estuaries and reaching the Pacific coast, such as being subjected the ebb and flow of tides, the other area is the actual plain of hills comprising the western slopes of the western cordillera.The western cordillera in the Cauca extends from southwest to northeast, among the most important accidents is the blade of Napí, the hills of Guaduas, Munchique and Naya and the Cauca River Valley. The central mountain range crosses from south to north of the department, relevant accidents are Sotará volcano, Petacas Nevado del Huila
Huila Department
Huila is one of the departments of Colombia. It is located in the southwest of the country, and its capital is Neiva.-Geography:The south of the department is located in the Colombian Massif...
and in the departmental boundary.
The highlands of Popayán, sandwiched between the Western and Central Cordilleras, is seen as an accident within the plateau the hill La Tetilla. The Colombian Massif shared with the department of Huila
Huila Department
Huila is one of the departments of Colombia. It is located in the southwest of the country, and its capital is Neiva.-Geography:The south of the department is located in the Colombian Massif...
, among the most representative accidents are the Páramo del buey, the volcanoes of Cutanga and Puracé, the peak of Paletará and the Sierra Nevada of Coconucos. Patia Valley, framed by the Central and Western mountain ranges, where the river runs north-south Patia, extends to the department of Nariño
Nariño Department
Nariño is a department of Colombia named after Antonio Nariño. It is in the west of the country, bordering Ecuador and the Pacific Ocean.Its capital is Pasto, other important cities include Tumaco, Ipiales.-Municipalities:# Albán# Aldana# Ancuya...
. The Amazon Basin, corresponds to the so-called Bota Caucana, through which the Caquetá river.
Colombian Massif
The Colombian Massif, also called the Nudo de Almaguer, is a mountainous group of "Andes colombianos" covering the departments of Cauca, HuilaHuila Department
Huila is one of the departments of Colombia. It is located in the southwest of the country, and its capital is Neiva.-Geography:The south of the department is located in the Colombian Massif...
and Nariño
Nariño Department
Nariño is a department of Colombia named after Antonio Nariño. It is in the west of the country, bordering Ecuador and the Pacific Ocean.Its capital is Pasto, other important cities include Tumaco, Ipiales.-Municipalities:# Albán# Aldana# Ancuya...
in the south is the Nudo de los Pastos and emerge north central and eastern mountain ranges.
The Colombian Massif
Colombian Massif
The Colombian Massif also known colloquially as Nudo de Almaguer refers to a group of mountains within the Andes of south central Colombia. The massif is mainly within the area of the Cauca, Huila, and Nariño Departments...
is a strategic national and international level, given its significance for water production, biodiversity and ecosystems, an area that represents a special conformation of the regions with more potential for development in Colombia, but also, major problems that can lead to accelerated degradation process. It is very important to the Colombian Massif and the national government has no resources specified destination to prevent further deterioration of the region. That was the reason that motivated me to submit a bill for the Colombian Massif is regarded as cultural heritage, environment and ecology of the country, so that monies are included annually in the General Budget of the nation to advance plans integrated management of basins of major rivers are born there, in addition to resolving the land tenure conflict, the disadvantages on roads, education, health, the missing energy, to prevent livestock extend further progress, and definitely have a tool that allows us to solve in the first instance to a region of many needs and even the state should receive significant royalties for being the area that brings more water into the country.
Hydrography
The Cauca river system, consists of five major basins: Alto Cauca, Pacific, Alto Magdalena, Patia and Caqueta, Alto Cauca, formed by the Cauca River and its tributaries Palo, Guengué, Negro, Teta, Desbaratado, and Quilichao, Mondomo, Ovejas, Pescador, Robles, Piedras, Sucio, Palacé, Cofre, Honda, Cajibío, Piendamó, Tunia, Molino, Timbío and Blanco.The Pacific Rim, made up mainly by rivers Guapi, Timbiquí, Saija and Micay. Alto Magdalena, the main source of the Paez River drainage is that the rivers San Vicente, Moras, ulluco, Negro y Negro de Narvaez, and streams Toez, Símbola, Salado, Gualcar, Gallo, Macana, Honda and Totumo. Patia basin, consists of the Patia River and its tributary rivers Guachinoco, Ismita, Bojoleo, El Guaba, Sambingo and Mayo.
Caquetá basin, consists of the Caquetá River where the rivers Cusiyaco, Cascabelito, Verdeyaco, Mandiyaco, Fragua, Cascabel, Curiaco and Pacayaco. Gorgonilla and Gorgona
Gorgona, Colombia
Gorgona is a Colombian island in the Pacific Ocean situated about 50 km off the Colombian Pacific coast and part of the municipality of Guapi in the Department of Cauca. The island is about 9 km long and 2.5 km wide, with a maximum height of 338 m ; with an area of 10 square miles...
islands and located in the Pacific Ocean, belong to the territory Cauca.
Economy
The Cauca economy is based primarily on agriculture and livestock production, forestry, fishing and trade. Agriculture has been developed and modernized in the northern department, with main crops are sugar cane, cane panela, conventional maize, rice, corn tech, banana, agave, yucca, potatoes, coconut, sorghum, cocoa, groundnut and palm.In the Pacific region is extracted gold, silver and platinum. Other non-precious minerals that are exploited are sulfur, asbestos, limestone, talc, gypsum and coal. The manufacturing industry is located in Popayán, Santander de Quilichao
Santander de Quilichao
Santander de Quilichao is a town and municipality in the Cauca Department, Colombia.-External links:...
, Puerto Tejada
Puerto Tejada, Cauca
-History:Established on September 17 of 1897. The founder of Puerto Tejada was General Manuel Tejada Sanchez, the town was named after him. Puerto Tejada was founded to organize blacks in Colombia. During the 18th and 19th century black slaves and free blacks were revolting in this region...
with factories of food, beverages, dairy products, paper, packaging, wood processing, sugar industry and paper processing for export. The main centers of commercial activity are Popayán, Santander de Quilichao, Patia
Patia, Cauca
Patía is a colombian municipality located in Cauca department. The municipality bedside of Patía is The Bordo municipality.Within the main touristic attractions of the region we can find Piedra Sentada: The Parador Patía, The Lerma Hill and surely, Patía river that irrigate the valley with itself...
, Puerto Tejada, Piendamó
Piendamó, Cauca
Piendamó es un pueblo del el departamento del Cauca Department, Colombia....
and Corinto
Corinto, Cauca
Corinto is a town and municipality in the Cauca Department, Colombia....
.
Crime and armed conflict
Cauca is considered one of the most violent departments in Colombia. Over 4000 intentional homicides were committed here in 2010. In 2010 and 2011 Cauca has been one of the regions most affected by the ongoing Colombian armed conflictColombian Armed Conflict
The Colombian armed conflict or Colombian Civil War are terms that are employed to refer to the current asymmetric low-intensity armed conflict in Colombia that has existed since approximately 1964 or 1966, between the Colombian government and peasant guerrillas such as the Revolutionary Armed...
. Between September and November 2010 over 75 policemen and soldiers have been killed by guerrillas of the FARC-EP. The Cauca region is also important for the cultivation of coca
Coca
Coca, Erythroxylum coca, is a plant in the family Erythroxylaceae, native to western South America. The plant plays a significant role in many traditional Andean cultures...
, which makes it even more of a hot spot as guerrillas, paramilitaries and state forces battle for control over drug routes to the pacific coast. According to press reports the FARC and ELN have transformed the department into a 'fortress', effectively launching attacks against security forces on a daily basis.
Municipalities
- AlmaguerAlmaguer, CaucaAlmaguer is a town and municipality in the Cauca Department, Colombia.Founded in 1551 by Vasco de Guzmán and Alonso de Fuenmayor, the municipality covers an area of 520 km² and has a population of 21,300.The population is primarily engaged in agriculture....
- ArgeliaArgelia, CaucaArgelia is a town and municipality in the Cauca Department, Colombia.Founded by Order No. 02 on November 3, 1967, the municipality covers an area of 713 km² and has a population of 27,030.The population is primarily engaged in agriculture....
- BalboaBalboa, CaucaBalboa is a town and municipality in the Cauca Department, Colombia.Founded by Order No. 02 on 3 November 1967, the municipality covers an area of and has a population of 27,030. The population is primarily engaged in agriculture and ranching....
- BolívarBolívar, CaucaBolívar is a town and municipality in the Cauca Department, Colombia. Founded in October 1784 by Domingo Belisario Gómez, the municipality covers an area of and has a population of 57,511. The population is primarily engaged in agriculture and ranching....
- Buenos AiresBuenos Aires, CaucaBuenos Aires is a town and municipality in the Cauca Department, Colombia. Founded in by Vasco de Guzmán and Alonso de Fuenmayor in 1551, the municipality covers an area and has a population of 21,300. The population is primarily engaged in agriculture and ranching.-References:...
- CajibioCajibio, CaucaCajibio is a town and municipality in the Cauca Department, Colombia....
- CaldonoCaldono, CaucaCaldono is a town and municipality in the Cauca Department, Colombia....
- CalotoCaloto, CaucaCaloto is a town and municipality in the Cauca Department, Colombia....
- CorintoCorinto, CaucaCorinto is a town and municipality in the Cauca Department, Colombia....
- El TamboEl Tambo, CaucaEl Tambo is a municipality of Cauca Department, Colombia, located about 33 kilometres west of the departmental capital Popayán in the Andes mountain range. Within its territories is located the Munchique National Park. El Tambo is the main producer of peach palm or chontaduro in the region....
- FlorenciaFlorencia, CaucaFlorencia is a town and municipality in the Cauca Department, Colombia....
- GuapiGuapi, CaucaGuapi is a town and municipality in the Cauca Department, Colombia. The municipality of Guapi is located on the Guapi River four miles away from the Pacific Ocean and also covers the island of Gorgona....
- InzaInza, CaucaInza is a town and municipality in the Cauca Department, Colombia....
- JambaloJambalo, CaucaJambalo is a town and municipality in the Cauca Department, Colombia....
- La SierraLa Sierra, CaucaLa Sierra is a town and municipality in the Cauca Department, Colombia....
- La VegaLa Vega, CaucaLa Vega is a town and municipality in the Cauca Department, Colombia....
- LopezLopez, CaucaLopez is a town and municipality in the Cauca Department, Colombia....
- MercaderesMercaderes, CaucaMercaderes is a town and municipality in the Cauca Department, Colombia....
- MirandaMiranda, CaucaMiranda is a town and municipality in the Cauca Department, Colombia....
- MoralesMorales, CaucaMorales is a town and municipality in the Cauca Department, Colombia....
- PadillaPadilla, CaucaPadilla is a town and municipality in the Cauca Department, Colombia....
- PaezPáez, CaucaPaéz is a municipality in the Cauca Department, Colombia. The town of Belalcazar, is the main urban center of the Municipality. It was founded in 1905 by Valencia, Mosquera and Lemus...
- PatiaPatia, CaucaPatía is a colombian municipality located in Cauca department. The municipality bedside of Patía is The Bordo municipality.Within the main touristic attractions of the region we can find Piedra Sentada: The Parador Patía, The Lerma Hill and surely, Patía river that irrigate the valley with itself...
- PiamontePiamontePiamonte is a town and municipality in the Cauca Department, Colombia....
- PiendamóPiendamó, CaucaPiendamó es un pueblo del el departamento del Cauca Department, Colombia....
- PopayánPopayánPopayán is the capital of the Colombian department of Cauca. It is located in southwestern Colombia between Colombia's Western Mountain Range and Central Mountain Range...
- Puerto TejadaPuerto Tejada, Cauca-History:Established on September 17 of 1897. The founder of Puerto Tejada was General Manuel Tejada Sanchez, the town was named after him. Puerto Tejada was founded to organize blacks in Colombia. During the 18th and 19th century black slaves and free blacks were revolting in this region...
- PuracePurace, CaucaPurace is a town and municipality in the Cauca Department, Colombia....
- RosasRosas, CaucaRosas is a town and municipality in the Cauca Department, Colombia....
- San SebastianSan Sebastian, CaucaSan Sebastian is a town and municipality in the Cauca Department, Colombia....
- Santander de QuilichaoSantander de QuilichaoSantander de Quilichao is a town and municipality in the Cauca Department, Colombia.-External links:...
- Santa RosaSanta Rosa, CaucaSanta Rosa is a town and municipality in the Cauca Department, Colombia....
- SilviaSilvia, CaucaSilvia is a town and municipality in the Cauca Department, Colombia. It is often visited as a weekend getaway by residents of Cali, which has a much hotter climate...
- SotaraSotara, CaucaSotará is a town and municipality in the Cauca Department, Colombia....
- SuarezSuarez, CaucaSuarez is a town and municipality in the Cauca Department, Colombia.In October 2007 a gold mine near the town collapsed, killing at least 24 people.-References:...
- SucreSucre, CaucaSucre is a town and municipality in the Cauca Department, Colombia.It contains roughly 10,00 households....
- TimbioTimbio, CaucaTimbio is a town and municipality in the Cauca Department, Colombia....
- TimbiquiTimbiqui, CaucaTimbiqui is a town and municipality in the Cauca Department, Colombia....
- ToribioToribío, CaucaToribío is a town and municipality in Cauca Department, Colombia. It is located at around , in the elevation of about 2000 m.-External links:...
- TotoroTotoro, CaucaTotoro is a town and municipality in the Cauca Department, Colombia....
- Villa RicaVilla Rica, CaucaVilla Rica is a town and municipality in the Cauca Department, Colombia....
See also
- Colombian Civil War (1860–1862) in which Cauca was heavily involved
Quintana and Mondomo are also part of el departamento del Cauca