Arcabuco facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Arcabuco
Municipality and town
Central square and church of Arcabuco
Flag
Location of the municipality and town of Arcabuco in the Boyacá Department of Colombia
Country	Colombia
Department	Boyacá Department
Province	Ricaurte Province
Founded	22 October 1856
Founded by	Celedonio Umaña and Leopoldo Rodríguez
Area
• Municipality and town	155 km2 (60 sq mi)
• Urban	35 km2 (14 sq mi)
Elevation	2,739 m (8,986 ft)
Population  (2015)
• Municipality and town	5,240
• Urban	1,961
Time zone	UTC-5 (Colombia Standard Time)
Website	Official website: http://www.arcabuco-boyaca.gov.co/

Arcabuco is a small town and municipality in Colombia. It is located in the Ricaurte Province, which is part of the Boyacá Department. Arcabuco sits on a high plateau called the Altiplano Cundiboyacense. The town center is about 2,739 meters (8,986 feet) above sea level.

The municipality shares its borders with several other towns. To the north are Moniquirá and Gámbita. To the south, you'll find Villa de Leyva and Chíquiza. Cómbita is to the east, and Gachantivá and Villa de Leyva are to the west. The capital city of the department, Tunja, is about 34 kilometers (21 miles) to the south.

What Does the Name Arcabuco Mean?

The name Arcabuco comes from the ancient Chibcha language. It has two possible meanings. It can mean "Place of thick bushes" or "Place surrounded by hills."

A Look Back: Arcabuco's History

Ancient Times: The Muisca People

Long ago, before the Spanish arrived, the Muisca people lived in the Arcabuco area. Their land was part of the Muisca Confederation. This was a group of Muisca leaders who worked together. Arcabuco was part of a region called the zacazgo. The main leader, known as the zaque, lived in Hunza.

Founding of Modern Arcabuco

The modern town of Arcabuco was officially started on October 22, 1856. It was founded by two people named Celedonio Umaña and Leopoldo Rodríguez.

Arcabuco's Economy

Farming and Livestock

The main way people in Arcabuco make a living is through agriculture and livestock farming. This means they grow crops and raise animals.

Famous Local Products

Arcabuco is well-known for its farm products. They grow a lot of potatoes and strawberries. The town is also famous for being a big producer of almojábanas. These are a type of delicious baked cheese bread.

Climate in Arcabuco

Arcabuco has a subtropical highland climate. This type of climate is often called "Cfb." It means the weather is generally mild. The town gets a moderate to heavy amount of rain throughout the year.

Things Named After Arcabuco

• Arcabuco Formation: This is a special rock layer. It contains tracks of dinosaurs from the Late Jurassic to Early Cretaceous periods.

Famous People from Arcabuco

• Cayetano Sarmiento: He is a professional cyclist who was born in Arcabuco.

Gallery

See also

In Spanish: Arcabuco para niños