Cesar Department

Cesar is an administrative department in northern Colombia situated between the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountains and the Magdalena River valley. The landscape features river valleys interspersed with plateaus and plains that define the regional geography.

Spanish exploration started in 1532 when German commander Ambrosio Alfinger led military expeditions through the territories of the Euparis and Guatapuris peoples. These early encounters shaped the region's trajectory over the centuries.

The name comes from the Chimila indigenous word Chet-tzar, meaning calm water, and reflects the presence of the Cesar River that shapes the landscape and local life.

The region supports agriculture with cotton, rice, and corn cultivation, plus extensive cattle ranching that shapes daily life across the area. Travelers will find active farming communities and pastoral landscapes throughout.

The Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountain range contains multiple rivers and water systems protected as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve since 1993. This mountainous area holds one of South America's most diverse ecosystems.

Location: Colombia

Inception: December 1967

Capital city: Valledupar

Elevation above the sea: 50 m

Shares border with: La Guajira Department, Magdalena Department, Bolívar Department, Santander Department, Norte de Santander Department, Zulia

Website: http://gobcesar.gov.co

GPS coordinates: 9.23333,-73.51667

Latest update: December 14, 2025 20:27