Cundinamarca

Cundinamarca, a central department of Colombia, extending east to Venezuela. It is the second largest department of the republic, with an area of 8500 sq. m., excluding the territory to the south-east of the Meta, which is about as large as Italy. The population is about 570,000 (including 17,000 wandering Indians). The western part is mountainous, with fertile valleys and plateaus; in the east are vast plains. It is well wooded, and rich in minerals. The capital is Bogotá (q.v.), also capital of the republic.