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Gachantivá

Coordinates: 5°45′N 73°30′W / 5.750°N 73.500°W / 5.750; -73.500
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Gachantivá
Municipality and town
View of Gachantivá
View of Gachantivá
Flag of Gachantivá
Location of the municipality and town of Gachantivá in the Boyacá department of Colombia
Location of the municipality and town of Gachantivá in the Boyacá department of Colombia
Country Colombia
DepartmentBoyacá Department
ProvinceRicaurte Province
Founded1715
Founded byJuan José Neira
Government
 • MayorPedro Alonso Aguillón Puentes
(2020-2023)
Area
 • Municipality and town66 km2 (25 sq mi)
Elevation
2,450 m (8,040 ft)
Population
 (2015)
 • Municipality and town2,654
 • Density40/km2 (100/sq mi)
 • Urban
364
Time zoneUTC-5 (Colombia Standard Time)
WebsiteOfficial website

Gachantivá is a town and municipality in the Ricaurte Province, part of the Colombian department of Boyacá. Gachantivá is located at altitudes ranging from 2,000 metres (6,600 ft) to 3,300 metres (10,800 ft) on the Altiplano Cundiboyacense and borders Villa de Leyva in the south, Santa Sofía in the west, Arcabuco in the east and Moniquirá in the north.[1]

Etymology

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The name Gachantivá comes from Chibcha and means "chief of the Gacha".[1][2]

History

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The area of Gachantivá before the Spanish conquest was inhabited by the Muisca, organised in their loose Muisca Confederation. The cacique of Gachantivá was loyal to the zaque of Hunza.

Modern Gachantivá was founded in 1715 by Juan José Neira.[1]

Economy

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Main economical activities of Gachantivá are agriculture and livestock farming. Among the agricultural products cultivated are maize, potatoes, yuca, coffee, blackberries, beans and peas.[1]

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Panorama of the rural areas of Santa Sofía and Gachantivá

References

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  1. ^ a b c d (in Spanish) Official website Gachantivá
  2. ^ (in Spanish) Etymology Gachantivá - Excelsio.net

5°45′N 73°30′W / 5.750°N 73.500°W / 5.750; -73.500