Nariño

Department in southwest Colombia, with the Pacific Ocean to the west and Ecuador to the south; area 32,487 sq km/12,543 sq mi; population (1996) 1,443,671. Pasto is the departmental capital. In Nariño, livestock is farmed, gold is mined, and cereals, cacao, rice, sugar cane, and potatoes are cultivated. Manufacturing industries include the production of footwear and Panama hats; the latter are exported from the port of Tumaco.