OCANA

city, Norte de Santander departamento, northern Colombia, in the Hacar valley. Founded (c. 1570) as Nueva Madrid by Francisco Fernndez, the city was renamed for Ocaa in New Castile, Spain. An independence convention that was held there in 1828 is commemorated by a triumphal arch. Barium mining and onion growing are basic economic activities. Ocaa is the superior court of a judicial district and is the seat of a diocese. The Palacio de Bellas Artes is associated with the National University of Colombia in Bogot. Pop. (1985) 51,443.