Popayán

City and capital of the department of Cauca in southwest Colombia; population (1996) 187,519. Popayán stands at an altitude of 1,710 m/5,610 ft at the foot of the volcano of Puracé. This historic city contains a cathedral, a university, and old monasteries, cloisters and churches built in the classic Spanish style. The chief industries are the manufacture of shoes, bricks, and blankets, and the processing of agricultural products. It is developing into an important tourist centre.

The city was severely damaged in an earthquake in 1983.

Popayán was founded in 1536, after the conquest of the Pijao Indians. It became the regional seat of government, subject, until 1717, to the Audencia de Quito, and later to the Audencia de Bogotá. The city was the home of Colombia's celebrated poet Guillermo Valencia. Eleven of Colombia's presidents were born here.