Nariño

Nariño is a department of Colombia located in the southwestern part of the country. It is bordered by the Pacific Ocean to the west, Ecuador to the west and southwest, the Cauca Department to the north, and Putumayo to the east. Its capital is San Juan de Pasto. The department is named after Antonio Nariño, a prominent figure in the country’s early independence movement.

Geography and location: The terrain ranges from Andean highlands to Pacific coastal plains, with notable features such as the Galeras volcano near Pasto. The border town of Ipiales sits near the Rumichaca international crossing with Ecuador, while the city of Tumaco lies on the Pacific coast.

Economy: Agriculture plays a central role, with crops including coffee and various fruits, along with livestock production. Fishing and port activities are important in Tumaco. Urban centers contribute to commerce and services, and mining and forestry occur in selected areas.

Demographics and culture: The department is home to Indigenous Pasto communities and Afro-Colombian populations along the coast. Cultural life includes the Carnaval de Negros y Blancos in Pasto and the Basilica of Las Lajas in Ipiales, a notable religious site.

Municipalities: Notable municipalities include Pasto (the capital), Ipiales, Tumaco, Samaniego, La Unión, and Barbacoas.