PUERTO CARREO

capital of Vichada departamento, eastern Colombia, situated at the junction of the Meta and Orinoco rivers, across from Puerto Pez, Venezuela. The easternmost of Colombia's urban centres and a potentially important port on the Orinoco River, the city is a collection centre for the cattle and livestock products, corn (maize), gums, and resins that are produced in the surrounding llanos (plains). Puerto Carreo is accessible by highway from Villavicencio, the capital of Meta department, situated about 500 miles (800 km) to the west-southwest. Travel in the area, however, is by river or air. Pop. (1985) 3,324; (1995 est.) 1,672.