Circasia, Quindío

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Circasia is a municipality in the northern part of the department of Quindío, Colombia. It is located 12 km north of the departmental capital Armenia.

Circasia was founded in 1884 by Javier Arias. It became a separate municipality in 1906 when it was separated from Filandia. In 2005 it had an estimated population of 28,800, of which 20,100 live in the main urban zone.

The township is situated a short distance from the highway between Armenia and Pereira. There is a paved road southwest to Montenegro, which passes through most of the rural area of the municipality. There is also a poorly maintained road north to Filandia, which descends to cross the Roble River at a point known as the Aguadeños Pass (Spanish: Paso de los Aguadeños). However, all public transport to Filandia uses the main highway.

Circasia is known for its Free Cemetery (Spanish: Cementerio Libre), located on the outskirts of the township on the road to Montenegro. It was founded in 1933 by Braulio Botero as a place in which any person could be buried, regardless of their religious beliefs. The cemetery is now a symbol for liberty and equality.

v • d • e Municipalities of the department of Quindío , Colombia Population over 50,000: Armenia (capital) · Calarcá Population over 20,000: Circasia · La Tebaida · Montenegro · Quimbaya Population under 20,000: Buenavista · Córdoba · Filandia · Génova · Pijao · Salento

Coordinates: 4°37′N, 75°38′W