Armenia

Colombia

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Armenia, city, capital of Quindío departamento, west-central Colombia. It lies on the western slopes of the Cordillera Central at an elevation of 4,865 feet (1,483 metres), between the Espejo and Quindío rivers. The city lies along a spur of the railway from Puerto Berrío to Popayán and is the transfer point for road traffic to Bogotá via Ibagué (30 miles [50 km] southeast). Armenia (named for the ancient kingdom) was founded in 1889 by Jesús María Ocampo and Antonio Herrera. Coffee, corn (maize), beans, sugarcane, silk, and plantains are marketed, and there is some light manufacturing. Coal deposits are nearby. Armenia is the seat of the University of Quindío (1960). Pop. (2003 est.) 303,939.

Quindío

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Quindío

department, Colombia

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Quindío, departamento, west-central Colombia, on the western slopes of the Andean Cordillera Central. The smallest department in the nation, it is located in one of Colombia’s leading coffee-producing regions. Bananas, corn (maize), sugarcane, and beans are among the other crops, and livestock raising is widespread. Quindío has rich deposits of gold, silver, copper, and limestone. Armenia, the departmental capital, has long been important as a transportation centre because it is situated at the western end of the Quindío Pass. Area 712 square miles (1,845 square km). Pop. (2007 est.) 542,752.