Iza, Boyacá Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Iza
Municipality and town
Church of Iza
Location of the municipality and town of Iza in the Boyacá Department of Colombia
Country	Colombia
Department	Boyacá Department
Province	Sugamuxi Province
Founded	2 January 1556
Area
• Municipality and town	34 km² (13 sq mi)
Elevation	2,560 m (8,400 ft)
Population
• Municipality and town	2,349
• Density	69.1/km² (178.9/sq mi)
• Urban	1,026
Time zone	UTC-5 (Colombia Standard Time)
Website	Official website: http://www.iza-boyaca.gov.co/index.shtml#1

Iza is a small town and a special kind of area called a municipality in the Boyacá Department of Colombia. It's close to the beautiful Tota Lake and is part of the Sugamuxi Province, which is a smaller region within Boyacá.

Iza sits high up in the Andes mountains, in the 'Eastern Ranges' of Colombia. It's about 13 kilometers (8 miles) from Sogamoso and 90 kilometers (56 miles) from Tunja, the capital city of the Boyacá Department. The municipality of Iza shares its borders with Firavitoba, Sogamoso, Cuítiva, and Pesca.

A Look Back: Iza's History
- Muisca Legends and the Name Iza
- Founding of Modern Iza
What Iza Does: Economy
Famous People from Iza
Gallery
See also

A Look Back: Iza's History

Before the Spanish arrived, the land where Iza is now was home to different groups of people. First, there were indigenous groups during the Herrera Period. Later, the Muisca, who were organized into a large group called the Muisca Confederation, lived here.

The area of Iza was ruled by a leader known as the iraca from Sugamuxi. This was the same place as modern-day Sogamoso, which is a town nearby.

Muisca Legends and the Name Iza

According to old Muisca mythology, a very important messenger god named Bochica is said to have lived in a cave just outside Iza.

The name "Iza" comes from the Chibcha language of the Muisca people. In their language, za means "night." So, "Iza" means "place of healing."

Founding of Modern Iza

The modern town of Iza was officially founded on January 2, 1554. Today, it is lovingly called Nido Verde de Boyacá, which means "Green Nest of Boyacá."

What Iza Does: Economy

The main ways people in Iza make a living are through mining and agriculture. They mine for things like coal and a special kind of volcanic ash called pozzolan. Farming is also very important for the local economy.