Nariño Department, Administrative department in southwestern Colombia
Nariño is an administrative department in southwestern Colombia that stretches from the Pacific coast to the Andean mountain range, covering both lowland shores and volcanic plateaus. The capital city Pasto sits within the highlands, while Tumaco on the coast serves as a key port.
The region was named after Antonio Nariño, a key figure in Colombia's independence movement, in the early 20th century. Indigenous groups such as the Quillacingas and Awá lived here long before Spanish arrival.
The population of 1.6 million residents concentrates in the volcanic Andean highlands, maintaining agricultural traditions of wheat, barley, and potato cultivation.
The Pan-American Highway links Pasto with coastal Tumaco and border town Ipiales, making travel between highlands and lowlands more straightforward. Visitors should be ready for changing elevations, as climate and scenery shift quickly.
The highland plateau near Túquerres and Ipiales sits right on the Ecuadorian border and is separated from Pasto by the deep valley of the Guáitara River. This natural cut shapes the region's terrain and divides it into two contrasting zones.
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