MAGDALENA

also called Magdalena Contreras, or Contreras, delegacin (district), west-central Federal District, central Mexico. It lies along the Magdalena River near Cerro Ajusco. Although once simply the commercial centre for the cereals, beans, fruits, and livestock produced in the surrounding area, Magdalena gained prominence as the site of a battle (Aug. 1920, 1847) in the Mexican War (184648) that enabled the U.S. general Winfield Scott to advance on Mexico City. It is now a residential and industrial neighbourhood of the federal capital, forming part of the Mexico City metropolitan area. Pop. (1990 prelim.) 195,000. departamento, northern Colombia, occupying the Caribbean lowlands and bounded by the Magdalena River on the west. Much of its area is swamp, floodplain, or high mountains (including the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta in the northeast). The major economic activity is banana cultivation, especially in the vicinity of Santa Marta (q.v.), the departmental capital, which has an excellent natural harbor. Cattle are also raised in the region, and there are a number of small industries. Area 8,953 square miles (23,188 square km). Pop. (1993 est.) 994,838.