Tequendama Falls

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The Tequendama Fall (Spanish: Salto del Tequendama) is a 132m high waterfall on the Bogotá River, located about 30 km southwest of Bogotá in the municipality of San Antonio del Tequendama. Established in around 10000 BC, El Abra and Tequendama were the first permanent settlements in Colombia. One of the country’s major tourist attractions, the falls are located in a forested area 20 miles (32 km) west of Bogotá. The river surges through a rocky gorge that narrows to about 60 feet (18 m) at the brink of the 515-foot- (157-metre-) high falls. During the month of December the falls become completely dry. The falls, once a common site for suicides, may be reached by road from Bogotá.

The Legend

According to Muisca legend, the waterfall was created by Bochica, who used his staff to break the rock and release the water that covered the Bogotá Savannah. According to another legend, during the Spanish conquest in South America, in order to escape slavery the indigenous people of the area would jump off the Salto Del Tequendama and become eagles to fly to their freedom.

Recovery of the Fall and its Surroundings

The river that feeds the fall is currently considered to be one of the dirtiest in the world. [1] [2]

A historic building that overlooks the waterfall is under going restoration aided by the French Government. [3]

See also

References

  1. ↑ http://www.globalenvironmentalsociety.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=845:how-to-clean-up-the-worlds-dirtiest-river&catid=35:social-responsibility&Itemid=57
  2. ↑ http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/groups/123932147641461
  3. ↑ http://www.eltiempo.com/colombia/cundinamarca/casona-del-tequendama-recibe-apoyo-de-francia-_12543456-4

Coordinates: 4°35′10″N 74°18′00″W / 4.586°N 74.3°W / 4.586; -74.3

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