Subdivisions of Gran Colombia


The Republic of Gran Colombia was a former independent country in northern South America, a post-Spanish colonial country that existed from 1819 to 1831. Its initial subdivisions, created in 1820, were revised and expanded in 1824 to 12 departments.

1820 Departments

The initial country subdivision of Gran Colombia was into three departments, without larger districts or smaller provinces. They were:

1824 districts, departments, and provinces

Image:Gran [Colombia map.jpg|300px|thumb|right|Gran Colombia departments in 1824 (not including disputed Mosquito Coast).]

Northern District

The Northern District was in present-day Venezuela and Brazil. Its departments and provinces were:Apure Department: 2 provinces — Barinas Province and Achaguas Province.Orinoco Department: 4 provincesCumaná Province, Barcelona Province, Guayana Province and Margarita Province.Venezuela Department: 2 provinces — Caracas Province and Carabobo Province.Zulia Department: 4 provinces — Maracaybo/Maracaibo, Coro Province, Mérida Province and Trujillo Province.

Central District

The Central District was in present-day Colombia and Panama. Its departments and provinces were:Boyaca Department: 4 provinces — Tunja Province, Casanare Province, Pamplona Province, and Socorro Province.Cauca Department: 4 provinces — Popayán Province, Buenaventura Province, Chocó Province, Pasto Province.Cundinamarca Department: 4 provinces — Bogotá Province, Antioquia Province, Mariquita Province, Neiva Province.Isthmus Department : 2 provinces — Isthmus Province and Veraguas Province.Magdalena Department: 3 provinces — Cartagena Province, Riohacha Province, Santa Marta Province.
Control of the south-eastern portion of the Mosquito Coast was disputed with the British and the Federal Republic of Central America.

Southern District

The Southern District was in present-day Ecuador, and north of Marañón River in present-day Peru. Its departments and provinces were:Azuay Department: 3 provinces — Cuenca Province, Loja Province, Jaén de Bracamoros y Maynas Province.Guayaquil Department: 2 provinces — Guayaquil Province and Manabí Province.Ecuador Department: 3 provinces — Pichincha Province, Chimborazo Province and Imbabura Province.