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Guajira is a department of Colombia. It occupies most of the Guajira peninsula, in the northeast region of the country, bordering the Caribbean Sea and Venezuela. Its capital is Riohacha.
The department is home to various indigenous tribes such as the Wayuu people.
The northern part of the department consists of arid plains, xeric scrub in the rain shadow of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, (which rises to 5,775 meters in the south) and Sinú Valley dry forests.
Riohacha or Rio Hacha (Axe River), is the capital city and is located by the mouth of the Rancherí River and the Caribbean sea. Founded by Conqueror Nikolaus Federmann in 1535, Riohacha was named after a local legend.
The area is mostly desert and inhabited by Amerindians, predominantly by members of the Wayuu ethnic group. During colonial times Riohacha was a very important port due to the abundance of pearls. In recent years the city became one of Colombia's important maritime commercial ports as well as a multicultural center for the Department.
A popular tourist destination is Cabo de la Vela, a small fishing village located on the tip of the peninsula.
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