Chivatá facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Chivatá
Municipality and town
Central square of Chivatá
Flag
Location of the municipality and town of Chivatá in the Boyacá Department of Colombia
Country	Colombia
Department	Boyacá Department
Province	Central Boyacá Province
Founded	5 March 1556
Area
• Municipality and town	56 km2 (22 sq mi)
• Urban	20 km2 (8 sq mi)
Elevation	2,903 m (9,524 ft)
Population  (2015)
• Municipality and town	6,199
• Density	110.7/km2 (286.7/sq mi)
• Urban	2,557
Time zone	UTC-5 (Colombia Standard Time)
Website	Official website: http://www.chivata-boyaca.gov.co/

Chivatá is a small town and a type of local government area called a municipality in Colombia. It's located in the Boyacá Department, which is a part of Colombia. Chivatá is in the Central Boyacá Province.

The town is high up in the mountains, about 2,903 meters (9,524 feet) above sea level. It sits on a large flat area called the Altiplano Cundiboyacense. Chivatá is only about 5 kilometers (3 miles) from Tunja, the capital city of the Boyacá Department.

Chivatá shares its borders with several other towns. To the north, it borders Oicatá, Toca, and Tuta. To the east, it borders Toca and Siachoque. In the south, it borders Siachoque and Soracá. Finally, to the west, it borders Tunja.

What Does the Name Chivatá Mean?

The name Chivatá comes from the Chibcha language. This was the language spoken by the Muisca people. The Muisca lived in the central highlands of Colombia a long time ago. They were there before the Spanish arrived in the 1530s. In their language, Chivatá means "Our outside farmfields."

Chivatá's History

Before the Spanish arrived, Chivatá was ruled by a leader called a cacique. This particular cacique was named Chipatá. He was loyal to the zaque of nearby Hunza. The zaque was a very important Muisca ruler.

The modern town of Chivatá was officially started on March 5, 1556. This was during the time of the Spanish conquest.

Gallery

See also

In Spanish: Chivatá para niños