Onzaga facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Onzaga
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Municipality and town
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Church of Onzaga
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Location of the municipality and town of Onzaga in the Santander Department of Colombia.
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| Country |  Colombia |
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| Department | Santander Department | ||
| Province | Guanentá | ||
| Founded | 31 March 1602 | ||
| Area | |||
| • Municipality and town | 486.76 km2 (187.94 sq mi) | ||
| • Urban | 0.4031 km2 (0.1556 sq mi) | ||
| Elevation | 1,960 m (6,430 ft) | ||
| Population
(2015)
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| • Municipality and town | 5,054 | ||
| • Density | 10.3829/km2 (26.8917/sq mi) | ||
| • Urban | 1,229 | ||
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Colombia Standard Time) | ||
| Website | Official website: http://www.onzaga-santander.gov.co/ | ||
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Onzaga is a town and a type of local government area called a municipality in northeastern Colombia. It is located in the Santander Department. Onzaga is about 177 kilometers (110 miles) south of Bucaramanga, which is the capital city of the department.
The town shares its borders with several other municipalities. To the north, it borders San Joaquín. To the east and south, it borders Soatá, Covarachía, Tipacoque, and Tutazá, which are all in the Boyacá Department. To the west, Onzaga borders Coromoro. The land around Onzaga changes a lot, with elevations ranging from about 900 meters (2,950 feet) to 3,600 meters (11,800 feet) above sea level.
Contents
History of Onzaga
The area where Onzaga is located today was once home to ancient groups of people.
Early Inhabitants: Muisca and Guane People
Long ago, the land around Onzaga was inhabited by the Muisca. Onzaga was the northernmost village of their large group of communities, known as the Muisca Confederation. To the north and west of Onzaga, another group called the Guanes lived in the lower lands.
These indigenous people were very skilled. They were known for their excellent work with gold and other crafts. Onzaga was especially famous for making things from wool and cotton, including special blankets or mantles.
Spanish Arrival and Founding
When Spanish explorers, called conquistadores, arrived in the central highlands of Colombia, they met these skilled native groups. The Muisca people of Onzaga were ruled by a leader known as a cacique. This particular cacique was under the authority of the main leader of Duitama, who was called Tundama.
The name "Onzaga" might have come from a local cacique named Hunzaá. This name is similar to Hunzahúa, who was the first important leader of Hunza (now called Tunja), but they were different people. Modern Onzaga was officially founded on March 31, 1602.
Economy of Onzaga
The people of Onzaga have several important ways of earning a living.
Main Industries
The main economic activities in Onzaga include making textiles (like fabrics and clothes), shoes, and liquor.
Agriculture and Farming
Agriculture is also a very important part of the economy. Farmers in Onzaga grow various crops such as:
- Coffee
- Fique (a plant used to make fibers)
- Maize (corn)
- Beans
- Sugar cane
- Yuca (also known as cassava)
Besides growing crops, people in Onzaga also raise animals. This includes livestock farming (like cattle) and poultry farming (raising chickens and other birds).
See also
In Spanish: Onzaga para niños
