Guateque

Guateque is a town and municipality in the Colombian Department of Boyacá, part of the subregion of the Eastern Boyacá Province. Guateque's urban center is located at an altitude of 1,815 metres (5,955 ft) on the Altiplano Cundiboyacense at distances of 125 kilometres (78 mi) from the department capital Tunja and 112 kilometres (70 mi) from Bogotá, capital of Colombia. It borders the municipalities of La Capilla, Tenza, Sutatenza, Somondoco of Boyacá and Tibiritá and Manta of Cundinamarca.[1]

Guateque
Guatoc
Municipality and town
Church and colonial building in Guateque
Church and colonial building in Guateque
Flag of Guateque
Flag
Location of the town and municipality of Guateque in Boyaca Department
Location of the town and municipality of Guateque in Boyaca Department
Guateque is located in Colombia
Guateque
Guateque
Location in Colombia
Coordinates: 5°0′20″N 73°28′20″W
Country Colombia
DepartmentBoyacá Department
ProvinceEastern Boyacá Province
Founded28 January 1636
Founded byDiego Morales et al.
Government
 • MayorIván Camilo Camero Alfonso
(2020-2023)
Area
 • Municipality and town36.04 km2 (13.92 sq mi)
 • Urban
1.82 km2 (0.70 sq mi)
Elevation
1,815 m (5,955 ft)
Population
 (2015)
 • Municipality and town9,603
 • Density270/km2 (690/sq mi)
 • Urban
7,176
Time zoneUTC-5
WebsiteOfficial website

Etymology

Guateque is derived from the original name Guatoc, meaning "Stream of the ravine" or "Lord of the winds".[2]

History

In the centuries before the Spanish conquest of the Muisca, the central highlands of Colombia were inhabited by the Muisca. The Muisca practiced different rituals related to their religion. On the hill within the municipality that they called Guatoc, the people organized religious festivities.[1] The cacique of Guateque was an important leader within the loose Muisca Confederation, as gold mining was executed in Guateque.[3]

While Catholic missionaries were already working in Guateque since 1556, the modern town was founded on January 28, 1636, by a group of Spanish leaders.[1]

Economy

Despite the urban character of Guateque, almost half of its economy is based on agriculture and livestock farming. Predominant agricultural products are maize and tomatoes.[1]

Born in Guateque
  • View of Guateque
    View of Guateque
  • View of Guateque
    View of Guateque
  • Bus terminal
    Bus terminal
  • View of Guateque Main Church
    View of Guateque Main Church

References
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Guateque.
  1. (in Spanish) Official website Guateque Archived 2015-06-02 at archive.today
  2. (in Spanish) Etymology Municipalities Boyacá - Excelsio.net
  3. (in Spanish) Gold mining in Guateque Archived 2016-08-07 at the Wayback Machine
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