Valle del Cauca

Question

What does "Cauca" mean in English?

Answer 1

Cauca is just a name. It is believed it comes from the native Colombian tribes before the Spaniards arrival. El Valle del Cauca is the only "departamento" in Colombia that actually does NOT have a name. This Departamento was segregated from the "Departamento del Cauca" and because it was the part of that "Departamento" that was a valley, it took the name of "Valle del Cauca" or "Valle del Río Cauca"

• Now, the name for both "Departamentos" Cauca and Valle del Cauca, are related to the name of the Cauca river (Río Cauca) which is one of the most important rivers in the nation of Colombia.