Bolívar (Spanish pronunciation: [boˈliβaɾ]) is a department of Colombia. It was named after one of the original nine states of the United States of Colombia. It is located to the north of the country, extending roughly north–south from the Caribbean coast at Cartagena near the mouth of the Magdalena River, then south along the river to a border with Antioquia Department. The departments of Sucre and Córdoba are located to the west, and Atlántico Department to the north and east (most of the border formed by the Canal del Dique). Across the Magdalena River to the east is Magdalena Department. The flag of the department bears a resemblance to the flag of Lithuania.

Its capital is Cartagena de Indias. Other important cities include Magangué, El Carmen de Bolívar and Turbaco.

In today's villages of Maria La Baja, Sincerín, El Viso, and Mahates and Rotinet, excavations have uncovered the remains of maloka-type buildings, directly related to the early Puerto Hormiga settlements.

Historical population

Year	Pop.	±%
1938	763,782	—
1951	924,082	+21.0%
1964	693,759	−24.9%
1973	817,838	+17.9%
1985	1,288,985	+57.6%
1993	1,702,188	+32.1%
2005	1,878,993	+10.4%
2018	2,070,110	+10.2%
Source:

• Postage stamps of Bolívar
• List of Caribbean islands#Bolívar Department

• View a boundary-overlaid version of Bolívar on Google Maps: http://www.maplandia.com/colombia/bolivar/turbana/
• Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Bolívar" . Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 4 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 166.