Vaupés

Vau·pés (vou-pāsʹ, -pĕsʹ)

See Uaupés.

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▪ department, Colombia

      departamento, southeastern Colombia. It is bounded by Guainía departamento (north), Brazil (east), the Apoporis River (south), and Guaviare departamento (west). Vaupés was administratively created in 1963, and its area was reduced in 1977 when Guaviare was established. It occupies an area of mostly tropical, evergreen rain forests. Vaupés is drained by tributaries of both the Amazon and Orinoco river systems, including the Vaupés, Taraira, Apoporis, and Papunáva.

      The principal economic activities of Vaupés are subsistence agriculture, fishing, forestry, and the collection of plants for medicinal and traditional purposes. A significant portion of the sparse population lives in and around Mitú, the departmental capital. The local population is largely indigenous Indian tribes who reside on minifundias (small farms). Transportation infrastructure is very poor; access is by river or air. Area 25,200 square miles (65,268 square km). Pop. (2007 est.) 39,231.

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