BARRANQUILLA, a city and port of Colombia, South America, capital of a province of the same name in the department of Atlantico, on the left bank of the Magdalena river about 7 m. above its mouth and 182m. by rail from its seaport, Puerto Colombia. Pop. Est.) 129,715. Dangerous bars at the mouth of the Magdalena are being removed by dredging, so that eventu ally ocean-going ships may proceed directly to the city. The production of large quantities of petroleum a few hundred miles up the Magdalena, some of which is marketed via Barranquilla, and the growing of cotton in the region of the city are responsible for renewed activity in various lines of business. A recent foreign loan is largely responsible for the newer part of Barranquilla. called El Prado, where many modern streets, houses and several boulevards have been constructed. At Puerto Colombia, a short distance westward, a steel pier, 4,000ft. in length, facilitates handling of freight. The city of Barranquilla was founded in 1629, but attracted no attention as a commercial centre until about the middle of the 19th century, when efforts were initiated to secure the trade passing through Cartagena. The city is built on a low plain, is regularly laid out, and has many fine ware houses, public buildings and residences, but part consists of mud walled cabins supported by bamboo (guadua) framework. The water-supply is drawn from the Magdalena, and the city is pro vided with telephone, electric light and tram services. Suburban highways and an increasing number of automobiles are rapidly changing the city's transportation facilities. Airplane service from Barranquilla to Jirardot (for Bogota) is in successful operation and saves much time for travellers.