PUERTO BERRO

city, eastern Antioquia department, northwestern Colombia, situated on the Magdalena River. It has been an important transportation hub almost since its founding in 1875 and a commercial and manufacturing centre for the agricultural and forest products of its hinterland. A cement factory and marble quarries are located nearby. Puerto Berro is the major river port for Antioquia department, handling coffee, textiles, and other manufactures from the Medelln industrial area. Pipelines connect the city with the oil fields of central and northern Colombia and with Medelln, Cali, and Bogot. It is also a major railroad junction, where a line from Popayn and the Cauca Valley meets one that runs from Santa Marta to Bogot. There is also an airport. Pop. (1985) 21,414.