CAQUET

departamento, southern Colombia, bounded south by the Caquet River and northeast by the Apaporis River. Given commissary status in 1910 and raised to intendency level in 1950 and to department status in the late 1970s, the territory, 34,350 square miles (88,965 square km), consists of forested lowlands except in the west, where it rises abruptly into the Andean Cordillera (mountains) Oriental. The region is known for its cedar, mahogany, rubber, ipecac, and other trees. Tropical plants such as bananas and other fruits are cultivated in the lowlands, and corn (maize) predominates in the highlands. Cattle raising is widespread around the department capital, Florencia (q.v.). The only major road runs from Neiva in Huila departamento across the Andes to Florencia. Other transport is by river or by air. Pop. (1985) 214,473.