Departments and Capitals
of Colombia

A department in Colombia is a type of subnational entity, above a municipality. Colombia is divided into 32 departments and the Capital District of Bogotá, each with their own administrative powers headed by a governor elected by popular vote.

Although the term was initially used in France, many Latin American countries have adopted this type of territorial division. Colombia's departments have their own administrative structures and departmental assemblies.

Colombia has 32 departments and the Capital District of Bogotá. The 1991 Constitution recognized the last intendencias and comisarías as departments, leaving the national territory administratively divided into 32 departments with their respective capitals and 1,133 municipalities.

Colombia's departments are governed from their respective capital cities by the figure of the department governor, elected by popular vote for a 4-year term. The departments are characterized by forming geographic, cultural and economic regions with similarities.

Each department also has a Departmental Assembly whose members — the deputies — are elected by popular vote.

Article 298 of Colombia's 1991 Political Constitution establishes that: "Departments have autonomy for the administration of sectional affairs and the planning and promotion of economic and social development within their territory."

The departments exercise administrative, coordination and complementarity functions for municipal action, serving as intermediaries between the Nation and Municipalities. — Source: Senate Secretariat

The departments are subdivided into municipalities. Municipalities in Colombia are administered by a mayor and municipal council, elected by popular vote for a 4-year term.

Some departments with a large number of municipalities have created subregions to facilitate administration. The best-known case is Cundinamarca, which has more than 100 municipalities organized into 15 provinces. However, these subregions have no legal recognition.

Colombia is divided into 6 natural regions: the Andean Region (15 departments), the Caribbean Region (8 departments), the Pacific Region (4 departments), the Amazonian Region (6 departments), the Orinoquía Region (4 departments) and the Insular Region (1 department).

Each region has its own geographic, climatic and cultural characteristics that define the identity of its inhabitants. See Colombia's 6 natural regions →