Gama, Cundinamarca facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Gama
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Municipality and town
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Gama borders the Guavio Reservoir
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Location of the municipality and town of Gama in the Cundinamarca Department of Colombia
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 Gama
Location in Colombia
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| Country |  Colombia |
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| Department |  Cundinamarca |
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| Province | Guavio Province | |
| Founded | 8 May 1903 | |
| Founded by | Juan Martín Romero | |
| Area | ||
| • Municipality and town | 108 km2 (42 sq mi) | |
| • Urban | 15 km2 (6 sq mi) | |
| Elevation | 2,180 m (7,150 ft) | |
| Population
(2015)
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| • Municipality and town | 3,996 | |
| • Density | 37.00/km2 (95.8/sq mi) | |
| • Urban | 841 | |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Colombia Standard Time) | |
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Gama is a small town and municipality in Colombia. It is located in the Guavio Province, which is part of the Cundinamarca region. The main part of Gama is about 2,180 meters (7,150 feet) above sea level. It sits in the Eastern Ranges of the Colombian Andes mountains.
Gama is about 118 kilometers (73 miles) away from Bogotá, the capital city of Colombia. It shares its borders with several other towns. To the north, it borders Gachetá. To the south, it borders Junín and Gachalá. To the east, it borders Ubalá, and to the west, it borders Junín again.
What's in a Name?
The name "Gama" has an interesting origin. It might come from the Muysccubun language, which was spoken by the Muisca people. In that language, "Gama" could mean "our back."
Another idea is that the name comes from the language of the local Chío tribe. For them, it might have meant "behind the licked hill." This could be a reference to Lake Guatavita, a famous lake located behind the mountains to the northwest of Gama.
A Look Back: Gama's History
Before the Spanish arrived in Colombia, the area where Gama is now was home to a group of people called the Chío tribe.
The first official record of the village of Gama was made in 1846. This was when the church in a nearby town called Ubalá was being built. However, Gama was not officially founded as a town until much later. It was properly established on May 8, 1903, by a person named Juan Martín Romero.
How Gama Makes a Living
The main way people in Gama earn money is through farming. The land is good for growing many different crops.
Farmers in Gama mostly grow:
They also grow other important products like:
- Yuca (cassava)
- Bananas
- Pineapples
- Coffee
