Pasto

City in southwest Colombia, capital of Nariño department; population (2005) 312,800. The city was founded in 1537 at the foot of the Galeras volcano (4,200 m/13,779 ft). Pasto is the centre of an agricultural and cattle-raising area, but food production is mainly consumed locally. There is a university in the city. Some small-scale gold mining is undertaken in the surrounding area.

During the wars of independence, Pasto was a stronghold of the Royalists and the last town to fall into the hands of the Patriots. The city produces a glaze made of vegetable resin which is used to decorate wooden bowls, plates, and boxes.