Amazonas (Spanish pronunciation: [amaˈsonas]) is a department of Southern Colombia in the south of the country. It is the largest department in area while having the third smallest population among the departments. Its capital is Leticia and its name comes from the Amazon River, which drains the department.

The department name comes from the name of the Amazon River. The river was named by the Spanish explorer Francisco de Orellana (1511–1546), who, on his voyage of exploration, said he was attacked by "fierce females" who looked like Amazons of the Greek mythology; however, the existence of a female warrior tribe in that time hasn't been demonstrated and it is possible that they were long-haired Native American warriors who impressed the conqueror, who called the jungle and the river with the name of Amazon.

The following ethnic groups are found in the department: Bora, Cocama, Macuna, Mirana, Okaina, Ticunas, Tucano, Uitoto, Yagua, and Yucuna, among others. These groups are more than 5,000 years old. In 2018, the population comprised 76,589 people.

Historical population

Year	Pop.	±%
1938	6,414	—
1951	7,619	+18.8%
1964	12,962	+70.1%
1973	15,677	+20.9%
1985	39,937	+154.7%
1993	56,399	+41.2%
2005	67,726	+20.1%
2018	76,589	+13.1%
Source:

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The Amazonas Department covers 109,665 km (42,342 sq mi) of protected area, most of it under the name of "forest reserve" since 1959. There are currently four "National Parks" (Amacayacú, Cahuinarí, Rio Puree, and Yagoje Apaporis).

1. El Encanto
2. La Chorrera
3. La Pedrera
4. La Victoria
5. Leticia
6. Mirití-Paraná
7. Puerto Alegría
8. Puerto Arica
9. Puerto Nariño
10. Puerto Santander
11. Tarapacá

• Amazonas State, Venezuela
• Amazonas State, Brazil

• Amazonas Department travel guide from Wikivoyage
• Territorial-Environmental Information System of Colombian Amazon SIAT-AC website Archived 2020-06-17 at the Wayback Machine
• Essential Travel Information to Leticia and its Surroundings

1°30′S 71°30′W / 1.500°S 71.500°W / -1.500; -71.500