PEREIRA

city, capital of Risaralda departamento, west-central Colombia. It is situated in the western foothills of the Cordillera Central above the Cauca River valley. It was founded in 1863 on the former site of Cartago by Remigio Antonio Caarte and was named for Francisco Pereira Gamba, who donated lands for the enterprise. Pereira serves as a centre for coffee and cattle and has some light manufacturing, primarily textiles. A fishing and hunting preserve and a ski resort are located nearby. The controversial bronze statue "The Naked Bolivar" (1963), by Rodrigo Arenas Betancourt, stands in its own plaza. The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Poor (1890) and the Technical University of Pereira (1958) are architectural landmarks. Pop. (1995 est.) 352,530.