Guainía Department facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Department of Guainía Departamento de Guainía
Department
Flag Coat of arms
Guainía shown in red
Topography of the department
Country	Colombia
Region	Amazon Region
Capital	Inírida
Area
• Total	72,238 km2 (27,891 sq mi)
Population  (2013)
• Total	40,203
• Density	0.556535/km2 (1.441420/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC-05
ISO 3166 code	CO-GUA

Guainía is a special part of Colombia, known as a department. It's located in the eastern part of the country. Its capital city is Inírida.

This department shares borders with two other countries: Venezuela to the north and east, and Brazil to the southeast. Guainía is a place of amazing nature and unique cultures.

Exploring Guainía's Location

Guainía is found in the Amazon region of Colombia. This means it has many features of the Amazon rainforest. It is a large area, covering about 72,238 square kilometers. That's a lot of land to explore!

Guainía's Borders and Neighbors

The department's location is very important. It connects Colombia with its neighbors.

• To the north and east, it borders Venezuela.
• To the southeast, it borders Brazil.
• Inside Colombia, it borders other departments like Vaupés and Vichada.

People and Culture in Guainía

Guainía is home to many different people. A big part of its population is made up of indigenous communities. These groups have lived in the Amazon for a very long time. They have rich traditions and languages.

Indigenous Communities and Traditions

The indigenous people of Guainía have a deep connection to the land. They often live in harmony with nature. Their cultures include:

• Unique languages and dialects.
• Traditional music and dances.
• Special ways of making crafts and art.
• Knowledge about the plants and animals of the rainforest.

Life in Inírida, the Capital City

Inírida is the capital of Guainía. It is the main urban center in the department. Most of the services and businesses are found here. It's a hub for people from all over Guainía.

Nature and Environment of Guainía

Guainía is part of the vast Amazon rainforest. This means it has incredible biodiversity. Biodiversity refers to the huge variety of plants and animals living in an area.

Rivers and Waterways

The department is crisscrossed by many rivers. The most important river is the Guainía River. This river is part of the larger Rio Negro system. These rivers are like highways for the local people. They use them for transport and fishing.

Amazing Plants and Animals

Because it's in the Amazon, Guainía is full of unique wildlife. You can find:

• Many types of colorful birds.
• Different kinds of monkeys.
• Big cats like jaguars (though they are shy!).
• A huge variety of plants, including giant trees and beautiful flowers.

History of Guainía

Guainía became a department of Colombia in 1963. Before that, it was a special territory. This change helped the region grow and develop.

How Guainía Became a Department

The process of becoming a department meant that Guainía gained more self-governance. It could then make more decisions about its own future. This was an important step for the people living there.

See also

In Spanish: Guainía para niños

Images for kids

• 

  The official flag of Guainía.

• 

  The coat of arms of Guainía.

• 

  Guainía shown in red on a map of Colombia.