Chimichagua

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Chimichagua
Flag of Chimichagua
Flag
Nickname: (Spanish) "El Viejo Puerto"
"The Old Port"
Motto: "Peace, Union and Work"
(Spanish) Paz, Union y Trabajo
Location of the municipality and town of Chimichagua in the Department of Cesar.
Location of the municipality and town of Chimichagua in the Department of Cesar.
Country Colombia
Region Caribbean
Department Cesar
Foundation 1748[1][2]
Government
 - Mayor Rigoberto Perez
(Colombian Conservative Party)[3]
Area
 - Total 1,568 km² (605.4 sq mi)
Population (2005)
 - Total 30,116
  [4]
Website:
chimichagua-cesar.gov.co/

Chimichagua is a city and municipality in the central region of the Department of Cesar, Colombia. Aproximately one third of the municipality of Chimichagua is water. The municipality seat lies by the Cienaga de Zapatosa marshes.

Contents

[edit] Etymology

Chimichagua was the name of Chimila Cacique that inhabited the area at the time of the Spanish conquest. Chimichagua is the name of a Muiscas deity. Muiscas and Chimilas pertain to the same linguistic family; the Chibchas.[5]

[edit] History

[edit] Pre-Columbian

The territory of the municipality of Chimichagua was inhabited by the indigenous group known as the Chimilas who at the time of the Spanish arrival were established in most of the Cesar River basin and its valley between the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta and the Serrania del Perija mountain ranges and bordering the Magdalena River.[6]

[edit] Spanish conquest and colonization

Chimichagua was founded by Jose Fernando de Mier y Guerra on December 8, 1748 accompanied by Sebastian de Eslava who was in representation of the Viceroy. The village was first named Nuestra Señora de la Purísima Concepción de Chimichagua. The population of this village migrated to other nearby villages such as Tamalameque, Mompox, Valencia de Jesús and Valledupar due to accessibility problems.[7]

[edit] Republicanism

Chimichagua became a municipality by Ordinance 54 of 1892. In 1967 with the creation of the Department of Cesar Chimichagua became one of its municipalities.[8]

[edit] Politics

[edit] Administrative divisions

[edit] Corregimientos

Chimichagua has 9 corregimientos:

  • Candelaria
  • El Guamo
  • Las Vegas
  • Mindinguilla
  • Saloa
  • Sempegua
  • Soledad
  • La Mata
  • El Jobo

[edit] References

  1. ^ Townhall of Aguachica: Generalities: History
  2. ^ (Spanish) DANE 2005 Census: Chimichagua
  3. ^ (Spanish) Interpolitico.com: Mayors of Cesar - 2008-2011
  4. ^ Colombiassh.org: Census 2005: Chimichagua
  5. ^ (Spanish) Cesar 30 Años de Progreso - Gobernación del Cesar (1997). -Page 25-]
  6. ^ (Spanish) Cesar 30 Años de Progreso - Gobernación del Cesar (1997). -Page 25-]
  7. ^ (Spanish) Cesar 30 Años de Progreso - Gobernación del Cesar (1997). -Page 25-]
  8. ^ (Spanish) Cesar 30 Años de Progreso - Gobernación del Cesar (1997). -Page 25-]

[edit] External links

Coordinates: 9°15′N, 73°49′W

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