Magangué

Colombia

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Article History

Magangué, city, Bolívar departamento, northern Colombia, on the Brazo de Loba (a branch of the Magdalena River). The original Indian village, Maganguey (Manguey), was discovered by Spanish explorers in 1532. The city was not actually founded, however, until 1610, when Diego de Carvajal expanded the indigenous settlement in the Pirinal Mountains. It later became a part of the encomienda (protected Christianized-Indian estate) of Baracoa. The present-day city has grain-processing mills, a refrigerator plant, and a fishing industry. Tropical fruits, corn (maize), coffee, and dairy products also figure in the local economy. Pop. (2007 est.) 80,902.