IPIALES

city, Nario department, southwestern Colombia, in the Andes Mountains on the banks of the Ro Guitara, at 9,505 ft (2,897 m) above sea level. It is known as the city of the three volcanoes. The Spanish settlement was founded in 1585 by missionaries working among the indigenous Pasto Indians. It contains well-known Indian markets and the sanctuary of the Virgin of Las Lajas. Ipiales is an important regional manufacturing centre, producing woollen and cotton textiles, articles of sisal, and beer. It is also a border post, being on the Pan-American Highway, 2.5 mi (4 km) from the Ecuadorean boundary. Pop. (1985) 46,226.