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Amazonas is a department of Colombia in the south of the country. Its name comes from the Amazon River that drains much in the department and the rainforest that covers a large part of the department. The capital is Leticia.
Leticia is Colombia's southernmost town (4.09° south 69.57° west) as well as its only major port on the Amazon River. It has an elevation of 96 meters above sea level and an average temperature of 27 °C (80.6 °F). Leticia has long been Colombia's shipping point for tropical fish for the aquarium trade. Leticia lies on the northern bank of the Amazon river, and at the point where Colombia, Brazil, and Peru join in an area called Tres Fronteras (three frontiers).
A long standing border dispute involving Leticia, between Colombia and Peru, was settled in 1934 by the League of Nations after these two nations engaged in an armed conflict known as the Colombia-Peru War. This was the first instance of action by an international body in its powers covered by the Monroe Doctrine.
Even though it is a city within the borders of Colombia and a capital of one of its departaments, Leticia is a peaceful town due to its isolated from the rest of the country. FARC activity is restricted by isolation and harsh living conditions.
El Encanto is another town and municipallity in Amazonas. It is situated in the mouth of the Caraparaná River, which is a tributary of the Putumayo River (Içá). El Encanto can be reached by air or river. The local navy base has a runway available only to military and official planes. The closest towns with airport access are Puerto Arturo, Peru, and Puerto Leguizamo in the Putumayo Department.
Puerto Nariño is the second municipality of the Amazonas department of Colombia, located on the shore of the Amazon River. Most of the residents are indigenous. The town has only pedestrian access meaning no cars or motorcycles are allowed. Access to communities outside of Puerto Nariño is strictly by boat on the Amazon River. Teh town got its name from a famous Colombian general, Antonio Nariño, who took an active part in the war of independence against the Spanish occupiers.
Municipalities and communities
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