La Jagua del Pilar facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
La Jagua del Pilar
|
|||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Municipality and town
|
|||
|
|||
Location of the municipality and town of La Jagua del Pilar in the department of La Guajira.
|
|||
| Country |  Colombia |
||
| Region | Caribbean | ||
| Department | La Guajira | ||
| Population
(2018)
|
|||
| • Total | 2,721 | ||
| Time zone | UTC-5 | ||
| Website | http://www.lajaguadelpilar-laguajira.gov.co/ | ||
.svg)
La Jagua del Pilar is a small town and municipality in Colombia. It is located in the La Guajira Department, which is in the northern part of the country. The name "La Jagua del Pilar" means "The Jagua of the Pillar".
This town sits about 450 meters (about 1,476 feet) above sea level. The average temperature here is around 27°C (81°F). La Jagua del Pilar became its own municipality in 1998, meaning it gained more control over its local government.
Contents
Geography and Climate
La Jagua del Pilar is found in the southern part of the Guajira Peninsula. It shares borders with the municipality of Urumita to the north. To the east, it borders Venezuela. To the south and west, it borders the Department of Cesar.
The municipality covers an area of about 152 square kilometers (about 59 square miles). Most of the land is flat, but there are some mountains nearby. These mountains are part of the Serranía del Perijá mountain range. The area also has rivers like the Perija and Marquezote, along with streams like Los Martires.
Weather Patterns
The average temperature in La Jagua del Pilar stays around 28°C (82°F) all year. The region experiences two rainy seasons and two dry seasons. The climate can also change depending on how high up in the mountains you are.
History of La Jagua del Pilar
Long ago, the area where La Jagua del Pilar is now was home to indigenous groups. These included the Wayuu and Wiwas peoples.
During the time when Colombia was fighting for independence from Spain, a woman named María de la Concepción Loperena Ustariz owned a farm here. She was from Valledupar and was one of the few women who strongly supported the independence movement led by Simón Bolívar. She even gave over a hundred horses to the Patriot army!
Loperena also donated her land to create a new settlement. This new place was first called "La Jagua del Pedregal". It was officially started by Don Manuel José Fernández de Castro and Don Bartolo Ustariz on October 12, 1795. Later, the name was changed to La Jagua del Pilar. This new name honored the Virgin Mary, known as Our Lady of the Pillar.
On May 6, 1998, La Jagua del Pilar became an official municipality. This meant it separated from the municipality of Urumita. This change was made by a special order from the Department Assembly of La Guajira. Because La Jagua del Pilar is right on the border with Venezuela, it is also covered by a special law called the "Frontiers Law."
Economy and Daily Life
The main way people make a living in La Jagua del Pilar is through farming. They also raise cattle, which means they have large farms where animals graze.
The most important crops grown here are cotton, maize (corn), plantain, and yuca (also known as cassava).
Culture and Traditions
La Jagua del Pilar has many interesting cultural traditions.
Local Festivals
One important celebration is for the "Virgen del Carmen" (Virgin of Carmen). This is a local Roman Catholic tradition held every year on July 16.
Another big day is October 12. On this day, the municipality celebrates Our Lady of the Pillar. This celebration happens at the same time as the Vela del Marquezote festival.
See also
In Spanish: La Jagua del Pilar para niños
