La Calera, Cundinamarca

La Calera is a municipality and town of Colombia in the Guavio Province, part of the department of Cundinamarca. La Calera is a common weekend destination, mainly for the many restaurants, as it is approximately 18 kilometres (11 mi) over land from Bogotá, the capital city of Colombia. La Calera is located in the Eastern Ranges of the Colombian Andes, east of the capital and overlooking part of it. La Calera borders Guasca, Sopó and Chía in the north, Guasca in the east, Bogotá in the west and Choachí and Bogotá in the south.[1]

La Calera
Municipality and town
La Calera viewed from a mountain to the west, just before a storm
Flag
Seal
Location of the municipality and town of La Calera in Colombia
La Calera
Location in Colombia
Coordinates: 4°45′11″N 73°55′12″W
Country Colombia
Department Cundinamarca
ProvinceGuavio Province
Founded16 December 1772
Founded byPedro de Tovar y Buendía
Government
 • MayorAna Lucía Escobar Vargas
(2016-2019)
Area
 • Municipality and town317 km2 (122 sq mi)
 • Urban
1.44 km2 (0.56 sq mi)
Elevation
2,718 m (8,917 ft)
Population
 (2015)
 • Municipality and town27,527
 • Density87/km2 (220/sq mi)
 • Urban
11,849
Time zoneUTC-5 (Colombia Standard Time)
WebsiteOfficial website

Etymology

The name of the town is derived from the limestone mine, called calera.[1]

History

The area of La Calera was before the Spanish conquest inhabited by the Muisca. La Calera, just behind the mountains bordering Bacatá was ruled by the zipa based in the southern capital.

Modern La Calera was founded on December 16, 1772 by Pedro de Tovar y Buendía.[1]

Economy

Main economical activity in La Calera is cement mining. The geological formation outcropping in the municipality is the Guaduas Formation.[1]

Born in La Calera
Road to La Calera
The largest Catholic church in La Calera
Paragliding over San Rafael Reservoir

References
  1. (in Spanish) Official website La Calera Archived 2015-05-16 at Archive.today
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