city, capital of Antioquia departamento, northwestern Colombia. It lies along the Porce River (a tributary of the Cauca) at an elevation of 5,000 feet (1,500 m) above sea level, in the steep, temperate Aburrá Valley of the Cordillera Central. It is one of the nation's largest cities and is heavily industrialized, particularly in the steel industry. Medellín was founded in 1675 as a mining town, but few colonial buildings survive. It is a well-ordered city, laid out on modern planning lines. Medellín has developed a wide industrial base that includes food processing, woodworking, metallurgy, automobiles, chemicals, and rubber products; it is known as “Colombia's Manchester,” because of its textile mills and clothing factories.