Chía, Cundinamarca

Chía

Park in Chía

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Nickname(s): City of the Moon

Location of the town and municipality of Chia in Cundinamarca Department.
Chía

Location of the town and municipality of Chia in Cundinamarca Department.

Coordinates: 4°51′N 74°03′W / 4.850°N 74.050°W / 4.850; -74.050Coordinates: 4°51′N 74°03′W / 4.850°N 74.050°W / 4.850; -74.050
Country Colombia
Department Cundinamarca
Province Central Savanna
Founded 24 March 1537
Founded by Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada
Government
 • Mayor Leonardo Donoso Ruíz
(2016-2019)
Area
 • City 80 km2 (30 sq mi)
 • Urban 79 km2 (31 sq mi)
Elevation 2,564 m (8,412 ft)
Population (2016)
 • City 129,652
 • Density 1,600/km2 (4,200/sq mi)
 • Urban 101,724
Demonym(s) Chiense or Chiano
Website Official website
Castillo Marroquín

Chía is a town and municipality in the Cundinamarca department of Colombia, located to the north of Bogotá on the main road to Zipaquira. Its history dates back to the pre-Columbian era.

Due to its proximity to Bogotá, Chía has effectively become a suburb of the capital. It is also home of the Universidad de la Sabana.

Chia is also known for its gastronomy and its variety of restaurants, ones of the best known restaurants are Andres Carne de Res, El Galapago and El despacho.


Etymology

Chía comes from the Chibcha language and means "Moon" or "month". It was the name of the Moon goddess of the Muisca; Chía.[1]

History

Chía was inhabited first by indigenous groups during the Herrera Period and later by the Muisca, as an important settlement in the pre-Columbian era. It was a ceremonial center of worship to the Moon goddess Chía. On March 24, 1537 the Spanish, under the command of Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada, took possession of the town.

In 1781, during the Revolt of the Comuneros, the march of the insurgents towards Bogotá stopped near Chía in order to cross the Bogotá River, in what is now known as the Bridge of the Commoners (Spanish: Puente del Común). At that site the viceroy signed a series of concessions to the rebels. However, once the rebel group had dispersed, the viceroy declared the concessions invalid for having been signed "under pressure". It is widely believed that eventually Bogota will merge with Chia, if the city continues expanding (as it happened with Bosa and Soacha).

Borders

Other information

Sites of interest

Sports facilities

References

  1. ↑ (in Spanish) Etymology Chía
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