Guajira is a department of Colombia. It occupies most of its namesake peninsula, in the northeast region of the country, facing the Caribbean Sea and Venezuela. Its capital is Riohacha.
Various indigenous tribes populate the vast arid plains, such as the Wayuu people, noted for the beautiful woven bags and the strong alcoholic spirit chirinchi they produce. Guajira tribes feature prominently in Papillon by Henri Charriere, which is about an escaped convict who takes refuge with one such tribe.
The largest employer in the department is the Cerrejón coal mine.
A popular tourist destination is Cabo de la Vela, a small fishing village located on the tip of the peninsula.
The northern part of the department consists of arid plains, the Guajira-Barranquilla xeric scrub, in the rain shadow of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta which rise to 5,775 meters in the south. The Sinú Valley dry forests lie in between.
Riohacha or Rio Hacha (Axe River), is the capital city and is located by the mouth of the Ranchería River and the Caribbean sea. Founded by Conqueror Nikolaus Federmann in 1535, Riohacha was named after a local legend "The legend of the Axe". 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 findings of vast amounts 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.
Municipalities
|
All images can be purchased for commercial and non-commercial use.