THE POTENTIAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF THE UPPER CAUCA VALLEY, COLOMBIA.

Abstract : The Upper Cauca Valley has been one of the most dynamic growth areas of Colombia in the post-World War II period. It has among its resources a vast agricultural potential, excellent coal reserves, and a relatively good location for reaching the interior markets of Colombia. Its resource weaknesses include a lack of metallic minerals and severe flood, drainage and irrigation problems. It is the development region for a TVA-type program titled the Corporacion Autonoma Regional del Cauca (CVC). This study attempts to project the potential economic growth of the development region to 1970, both with and without the aid of the regional development program. The study analyzes the region's growth potential from an economic-geographic point of view. The region's resource base and the sectors of its economy are analyzed with regard to their ability to base and/or energize economic development. Particular attention is paid to the CVC and the costs and benefits of its various development programs. (Author)