Chíquiza

Chíquiza
Municipality and town
Central square Chíquiza
Location of the municipality and town of Chíquiza in the Boyacá department of Colombia
Country	Colombia
Department	Boyacá Department
Province	Central Boyacá Province
Founded	17 July 1556
Government
• Mayor	Ramiro Alexander Suárez López (2016-2019)
Area
• Municipality and town	119.52 km2 (46.15 sq mi)
• Urban	23.71 km2 (9.15 sq mi)
Elevation	2,900 m (9,500 ft)
Population (2015)
• Municipality and town	5,484
• Density	46/km2 (120/sq mi)
• Urban	94
Time zone	Colombia Standard Time (UTC-5)
Website	Official website

Chíquiza (Spanish pronunciation: [tʃiˈkisa]) is a town and municipality in the Central Boyacá Province, part of the Colombian Department of Boyacá. Chíquiza was called San Pedro de Iguaque until July 17, 2003 when the name was changed to Chíquiza. The municipality is situated on the Altiplano Cundiboyacense with the urban centre at an altitude of 2,900 metres (9,500 ft) and 24 kilometres (15 mi) from the department capital Tunja. Chíquiza borders Arcabuco in the north, Sora and Sáchica in the south, Villa de Leyva in the west and Motavita in the east.

Etymology

The name Chíquiza comes from Chibcha and means "only" or "alone", "Chiqui" means priest. Another origin is given from the word chequiza; "hairy field".

History

Before the Spanish conquest, Chíquiza was part of the loose Muisca Confederation and ruled by a cacique who was loyal to the zaque of Hunza. The village was important in the religion of the Muisca people as it was close to the sacred Lake Iguaque; the birthplace of Bachué, mother goddess of the Muisca.

Modern Chíquiza was founded in 1556 and became a part of Tunja until 1982. In 2003 the name was changed from San Pedro de Iguaque to Chíquiza.

Economy

The economy of Chíquiza is centered around agriculture and livestock farming. Main agricultural products are maize, potatoes, peas, wheat, nabo, ibia, ruba and onions.

Gallery

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  View of Chíquiza

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  Rural area

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  Onion fields

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  Forest fire