Casanare Department

The department of Casanare whose name comes from the Sáliva Casanari word, which means Black Water River.

Its capital is Yopal and is located in the Orinoquía region of Colombia. It borders the north with Arauca, the east with Vichada, the south with Meta and the west with Cundinamarca and Boyacá.

It is located in the eastern plains of Colombia and is characterized by the llanera culture and cattle ranching.

Its astronomical position is between 4°16′ and 6°17′ north latitude, and 67° 50′ and 71°08′ west longitude.

It is ideal for ecotourism as it has a large part of the landscape in a natural state.

IMPORTANT DATA

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CAPITAL

YOPAL

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POPULATION

375,258

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GENTILICIO

CASANAREÑO

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SURFACE AREA

44,640 km²

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GOVERNOR

César Augusto Ortiz Zorro

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OFFICIAL WEBSITE

www.casanare.gov.co

Map of the Department of Casanare

Following are the municipalities of Casanare located on the map:

Map by: Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA

MUNICIPALITIES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF CASANARE

The department of Casanare has 19 municipalities listed below:

• Aguazul
• Chamezá
• Hato corozal
• La Salina
• Maní
• Monterrey
• Nunchía
• Orocué
• Paz de Ariporo
• Pore
• Recetor
• Sabanalarga
• Sácama
• San Luis de Palenque
• Támara
• Tauramena
• Trinidad
• Villanueva
• Yopal

HISTORY

From the pre-Hispanic period of the department, very little is known, except that the indigenous groups that inhabited it were farmers. In the present day, the Cuibas and Sálivas are found there; the principal expeditionary was the conquistador Nicolás de Federmán who arrived in the area in 1537, in 1821 this territory was an autonomous province, in 1869 it was a department, in 1897 it was reduced to an intendancy, a title it held until 1951 when it passed to be a comisaría. Subsequently, it was annexed to Boyacá until May 15, 1973, when it was declared an intendancy until 1991 when it was given the title of department again.

RELIEF

This area of the country is mostly flat, covered with varied vegetation and pastures, cut by elevations of over 3,000 msnm such as the Aguamaco and Peña Negra hills; the Barras, Peñalta, Tablona, Palo Bonito and Peñón cuchillas; the Zorro mountain range; the Guardia, Majaguillal, El Vergel, El Campín, Agua clara and San Rafael savannas.

HYDROGRAPHY

It is a privileged department in terms of water sources, as it is bordered by the Ariporo, Cravo Sur, Casanare, Cusiana, Charte, Chitamena, Pore, Túa, Tacuya, Tocaría, Upía rivers, among the most recognized and abundant in the area. Most of them are tributaries of the Meta; it is worth noting that Casanare hydrographically speaking is part of the Orinoco basin.

CLIMATE

It is a department with its own tropical savanna climate regime with high temperatures.

ECONOMY

In relation to the department’s economy, it can be said that at the agricultural level, they have generated a subsistence economy with yuca, banana, rice, corn, coffee, sugarcane, bean, and citrus fruits as its main products; in terms of livestock, it is the most developed economic activity in the department; currently, mining, in relation to the exploitation of oil, has acquired great importance. Tourism has also been another important economic item that has seen progress in the region.

NATURAL RESERVES

In the department there are two natural reserves:

• The Cocuy National Natural Park
• The Pisba National Park

HYMN

Lyrics:

Isaac Tacha Niño

Music: Isaac Tacha Niño

CORO

Salve Casanare, immortal glory
you are the path of freedom;
honor to your race, epic history;
that Bolívar wrote there in Boyacá.

I

On your lances, history portrayed
the centaurs of courage and valor,
who fought in a bloody battle,
for Colombia and its emancipation.

II

Your men are goodness and perseverance,
your women are tenderness and innocence,
those who seek the light of tomorrow,
that dispenses peace and love.

REFRAIN

Casanare, Casanare;
May God bless your great population,
to your rivers and lands,
your riches, your beautiful folklore.

III

Mountain range, plains, and sun,
are your lands a gift from God
where faith and hope grow
and a better nation is forged.

IV

For a shield, your hymn and banner,
I will fight and live with honor;
because you are my great Casanare
that land that God promised.