Pasto is a city of about 450,000 people and the capital of the department of Nariño, located in southwest Colombia. The city is located in the "Valle de Atriz", in the Andes cordillera, near the volcano Galeras, at a height of about 2527 metres.

The biggest event is the Carnaval de Blancos y Negros, with outstanding displays of craftmanship in floats portraying legends and traditions, and some references to current political events in Colombia. On these days the city goes wild. It is not advised to wear the newest clothes during this time. On one day they blacken each other's faces with grease, on the next day they throw white flour or talcum powder at each other. It is held in the beginning of January each year.

History

It was founded in 1539 by the Spanish conquistador Lorenzo de Aldana and named "San Juan de Pasto", after the name of the indigenous people ("Los Pastos") which inhabited the place at the arrival of the conquistadores. It has been an administrative, cultural and religious center of the region since colonial times. During the Wars of Independence against Spain, it was a royalist city, so after gaining independence and because of its geographical location, it kept isolated from the rest of the country creating a traditionalist attitude and cultural absorption.

External links

• Photos of the "Carnaval de Blancos y Negros"