Pamplona city, Colombia. Coloured etching by C. Empson, 1836.

"The city of Pamplona is situated on a plain, or rather in a valley, of about six miles in extent, surrounded on all sides by very high hills, some of them of extraordinary configuration. In consequence of the earthquake which destroyed Caraccas, the outline of an eminence to the right of that city was materially changed in appearance: the rock which had been previously concealed by earth and foliage, being shaken from its site, and sliding into the lake at its base, formed a small island, which the inhabitants still regard with a superstitious feeling. A striking effect is produced by the variously-coloured ochreous earths which some of the formations exhibit, and which seem to be unfavourable to cultivation; but in the immediate neighbourhood abundant compensation is afforded by the most profuse and gorgeous vegetation. ..." (Empson. loc. cit.)