TOLIMA

department, central Colombia, extending from the Andean Cordillera (mountains) Central across the Ro Magdalena Valley to the Cordillera Oriental. Created in 1861, it occupies an area of 9,097 square miles (23,562 square km). The department ranks first in Colombia in the production of rice and sesame; other crops grown in Tolima include cotton, coffee, corn (maize), bananas, sugarcane, and beans. Livestock, particularly cattle and pigs, are numerous. There is some light industry. Tolima is traversed by highways and railroads, which link Ibagu (q.v.), the departmental capital, with Bogot, Armenia, and Neiva. Pop. (1985) 1,142,220.