Montería, city in northern Colombia, capital of Córdoba Department, on the Sinú River. It is the site of the University of Córdoba (1966) and a cattle-research station, and the surrounding area produces cattle, horses, gold, oil, quinine, timber, and tagua nuts. An inland river port, the city was a part of Bolívar Department until 1953. Population (1997 estimate) 327,249.