Pasto, city in southwestern Colombia, capital of Nariño Department, on a plateau of the Andes Mountains, about 2594 m (about 8510 ft) above sea level. The city is on the Pan-American Highway and is an important commercial and transportation center for the surrounding agricultural region. Manufactures include furniture, textiles, and processed food. The University of Nariño (1827) is here. Pasto was founded in 1539, and was one of the last Spanish royalist strongholds in Colombia's struggle for independence from Spain in the early 19th century. Population (1997 estimate) 362,227.
