Garagoa facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Garagoa
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Church of Garagoa
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Location of the town and municipality of Garagoa in Boyacá Department
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| Country | Colombia | ||
| Department | Boyacá | ||
| Province | Neira | ||
| Founded | 5 October 1809 | ||
| Area | |||
| • City | 191.75 km2 (74.04 sq mi) | ||
| Elevation | 1,650 m (5,410 ft) | ||
| Population
(2015)
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| • City | 16,944 | ||
| • Density | 88.365/km2 (228.864/sq mi) | ||
| • Urban | 13,654 | ||
| Time zone | -5 | ||
| Website | Official website: http://www.garagoa-boyaca.gov.co/ | ||
Garagoa is a town and municipality (a type of local government area) in Colombia. It is located in the Boyacá Department.
Garagoa covers about 191.75 square kilometers. The main part of the town is 1,650 meters (about 5,413 feet) above sea level. Some areas of the municipality are even higher, reaching 3,050 meters (about 10,000 feet). It's the capital of the Neira Province. Garagoa is also an important religious center, being the seat of the Catholic Diocese for the area.
The municipality is located in the Eastern Ranges of the Colombian Andes mountains. It shares borders with several other towns: Chinavita to the north, Macanal to the south, Tenza and Sutatenza to the west, and Miraflores and Chinavita to the east.
Contents
What Does Garagoa Mean?
The name Garagoa comes from the Chibcha language. In Chibcha, it means "Behind the hill" or "On the other side of the hill."
A Look at Garagoa's History
Before the Spanish arrived, the area where Garagoa is now was home to the Muisca people. The Muisca had a large group of communities called the Muisca Confederation. Garagoa was part of the lands ruled by the zaque, who lived in Hunza.
A Spanish explorer named Gonzalo Jimenez de Quesada visited Garagoa in 1539. Later, on October 5, 1809, Garagoa officially became a municipality.
How People Make a Living in Garagoa
The main ways people earn money in Garagoa are through agriculture (farming), raising livestock (farm animals), and mining.
Farming in Garagoa
Farmers in Garagoa grow many different crops. Some of the most important ones include maize (corn), yuca, potatoes, arracacha, bananas, peas, beans, pumpkins, tomatoes, fique (a plant used for fibers), coffee, and sugar cane. They also grow fruits like mangoes, chirimoya, oranges, avocadoes, pineapples, mandarines, papayas, maracuyá (passion fruit), and guayaba (guava).
Mining Activities
Most of the mining in Garagoa involves digging for coal.
Interesting Facts About Garagoa
- A type of tree frog called Dendropsophus garagoensis was discovered in Garagoa. It was named after the town!
Gallery
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Church of Garagoa
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Fountain
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Central park and square
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Tree in central park
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Central park
See Also
In Spanish: Garagoa para niños
