HUILA

departamento, southwestern Colombia, occupying the Andean Cordilleras (mountains) Oriental and Central, which are separated by the upper Magdalena River valley. Created in 1905, it was named for the snowcapped mountain Nevado del Huila (17,844 feet ), which dominates much of the landscape. Since colonial times, this part of the upper Magdalena valley has been mostly a livestock-raising area; with improved irrigation, however, agriculture (especially cotton) has become increasingly important. The San Agustn archaeological zone, with its giant stone figures, lies in the southernmost part of the department. The department capital of Neiva (q.v.) is the southern terminus of a railroad to Bogot, Girardot, and Ibagu. A highway runs through the river valley and branches in the south to Popayn in Cauca department (west) and to Florencia in Caquet department (east). Area 7,680 square miles (19,890 square km). Pop. (1985) 693,712.