Cucaita

Cucaita
Municipality and town

View of Cucaita

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Location of the municipality and town of Cucaita in the Boyacá Department of Colombia
Country  Colombia
Department Boyacá Department
Province Central Boyacá Province
Founded 12 August 1556
Founded by Juan de Los Barrios
Government
 • Mayor Carlos Eduardo Luis Vanegas
(2016-2019)
Area
 • Municipality and town 43.58 km2 (16.83 sq mi)
Elevation 2,650 m (8,690 ft)
Population (2015)
 • Municipality and town 4,687
 • Density 110/km2 (280/sq mi)
 • Urban 1,905
Time zone Colombia Standard Time (UTC-5)
Website Official website

Cucaita is a municipality in the Central Boyacá Province, part of Boyacá Department, Colombia. The urban centre is situated on the Altiplano Cundiboyacense at a distance of 20 kilometres (12 mi) from the department capital Tunja. Cucaita borders Sora in the north, Tunja in the east and south and Samacá in the south and west.[1]

Etymology

The name Cucaita is derived from Chibcha and means either "Seminary enclosure" or "Shade of the farming fields".[1][2]

History

The area of Cucaita in the times before the Spanish conquest was inhabited by the Muisca, organised in their loose Muisca Confederation. Cucaita was ruled by the zaque of nearby Hunza.

Modern Cucaita was founded on August 12, 1556 by friar Juan de Los Barrios.[1]

Economy

Main economical activities of Cucaita are agriculture (predominantly onions and peas), livestock farming and minor carbon mining.[1]

Born in Cucaita

Panorama of central square of Cucaita

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 (in Spanish) Official website Cucaita
  2. ↑ (in Spanish) Etymology Municipalities Boyacá - Excelsio.net
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Coordinates: 5°32′N 73°27′W / 5.533°N 73.450°W / 5.533; -73.450

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