Choachí

Choachí is a municipality and town of Colombia in the Eastern Province of the department of Cundinamarca. The municipality borders La Calera in the north, Ubaque in the south, in the east Fómeque and westward of Choachí is the Colombian capital Bogotá. The town centre is located at 38 kilometres (24 mi) from the centre of the capital.[1] Within the boundaries of Choachí the Páramo de Cruz Verde is situated.

Choachí

Chiguachí
Municipality and town
Road to Choachí
Flag
Seal
Location of the municipality and town inside Cundinamarca Department of Colombia
Choachí
Location in Colombia
Coordinates: 4°31′47″N 73°55′25″W
Country Colombia
Department Cundinamarca
ProvinceEastern Province
Founded29 September 1560
Founded byAntonio Bermúdez
Government
 • MayorÁlvaro Gutiérrez Pardo
(2016-2019)
Area
 • Municipality and town223 km2 (86 sq mi)
 • Urban
10.4 km2 (4.0 sq mi)
Elevation
1,923 m (6,309 ft)
Population
 (2015)
 • Municipality and town10,729
 • Density48/km2 (120/sq mi)
 • Urban
3,615
Time zoneUTC-5 (Colombia Standard Time)
WebsiteOfficial website

Etymology

The name Choachí is derived from the original name in Chibcha: Chi-gua-chí, which means "Our Mountain of the Moon". The Muisca had a strong lunar cult and worshipped the goddess of the Moon, Chía in various places across their territories. It is believed that in Choachí a place of worship to the Moon was located.[1]

History

The area of Choachí was inhabited by the southern Muisca, part of the Muisca Confederation ruled by the zipa of Bacatá. The modern foundation of the town was early in the Spanish conquest of the Muisca, in 1560, by soldiers of conquistador Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada. In 1601 a parish was constructed in Choachí.[1]

Between the 17th and 19th century the original indigenous population almost completely perished.[1]

Economy

Main economical activities in Choachí are agriculture, livestock farming and mining. Also tourism, mainly from the capital, is a source of income for the local people.[1]

Geology

In the area of Choachí Cretaceous sandstones and the organic-rich shales of the Fómeque Formation are outcropping.[1]

Archeology

In the first half of the 20th century within Choachí the Choachí Stone has been found, possibly in a grave. The stone, carved in lydite may represent the Muisca calendar, a complex lunisolar calendar used by the Muisca.[2] Also petroglyphs have been discovered in Choachí.

  • Cara del indio, rock shaped as the face of an indian
  • Highest waterfall of Colombia
  • Rural part of Choachí
  • Cows in the fog
  • Store in Choachí

Trivia
  • A number of episodes of the popular series Escobar, el patrón del mal were filmed in Choachí
  • The highest waterfall of Colombia with 590 metres (1,940 ft) is located in Choachí

References
  1. (in Spanish) Official website - information Choachí Archived 2017-06-18 at the Wayback Machine - accessed 29-04-2016
  2. Izquierdo, 2009, p. 86

Bibliography
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