Gachalá facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Gachalá
Municipality and town
Central square and church of Gachalá
Flag Seal
Location of the municipality and town of Gachalá inside Cundinamarca Department of Colombia
Gachalá Location in Colombia
Country	Colombia
Department	Cundinamarca
Province	Guavio Province
Founded	22 February 1810
Founded by	Mariano de Mendoza y Bueno
Area
• Municipality and town	448.29 km2 (173.09 sq mi)
Elevation	1,712 m (5,617 ft)
Population  (2015)
• Municipality and town	5,715
• Density	12.7484/km2 (33.018/sq mi)
• Urban	2,025
Time zone	UTC-5 (Colombia Standard Time)

Gachalá is a town and a municipality in Colombia. It is located in the Guavio Province, which is part of the Cundinamarca region.

The town of Gachalá is about 148 kilometers (92 miles) away from Bogotá, the capital city of Colombia. It sits high up in the mountains, at an altitude of 1,712 meters (5,617 feet). This area is part of the Eastern Ranges of the Colombian Andes mountains.

Gachalá shares its borders with several other places. To the north, it borders parts of Ubalá and the Boyacá region. To the east, it borders other parts of Ubalá and Medina. To the west, it borders Fómeque, Junín, and Gama. Finally, to the south, it borders Fómeque, Medina, and the Meta region.

What Does the Name Gachalá Mean?

The name Gachalá comes from the ancient Chibcha language. It means "clay vessel of the night" or "defeat of the night."

A Look Back at Gachalá's History

Before the Spanish arrived in Colombia, the area where Gachalá is now was home to the Chío tribe. These people were part of the larger Muisca group. By the year 1548, the land of Gachalá was controlled by a local leader called a cacique from Guatavita. A cacique was like a chief or a ruler of a native community.

The modern town of Gachalá was officially started on February 22, 1810. It was founded by a person named Mariano de Mendoza y Bueno.

How Gachalá Makes Money

The main way Gachalá earns money is through the hydroelectric plant at the Guavio Reservoir. A hydroelectric plant uses the power of moving water to create electricity. This plant is very important for the region.

Another big source of income for Gachalá is emerald mining. Many beautiful emeralds are found here. In fact, a very famous and huge emerald, weighing 858 carats (about 171 grams), was discovered in Gachalá and was named the Gachalá Emerald after the town.

Gallery

A wide view of the Guavio Reservoir, which helps create electricity for the region.

See also

In Spanish: Gachalá para niños