Ortega, Tolima facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ortega
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Municipality and town
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View of the Cerros los Abechuchos in Ortega
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Location of the municipality and town of Ortega in the Tolima Department of Colombia
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| Country |  Colombia |
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| Department | Tolima | |
| Area | ||
| • Municipality and town | 945.93 km2 (365.23 sq mi) | |
| Elevation | 2,687 m (8,816 ft) | |
| Population
(2015)
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| • Municipality and town | 45,524 | |
| • Density | 48.1262/km2 (124.6462/sq mi) | |
| • Urban | 13,098 | |
| Demonym(s) | Orteguno | |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Colombia Standard Time) | |
Ortega is a town and a municipality in the Tolima region of Colombia. It's located at different heights, from about 402 meters (1,319 feet) up to 2,687 meters (8,816 feet) above sea level. The total area of Ortega is about 945.93 square kilometers (365.23 square miles). The weather here is usually mild, with temperatures ranging from 14 to 26 degrees Celsius (57 to 79 degrees Fahrenheit). People from Ortega are called "Orteguno."
Contents
The Story of Ortega
The history of Ortega is quite interesting, with several attempts to build a town there.
Early Attempts to Settle
In 1572, a group led by Captain Diego Bocanegra tried to create a town. They named it Santiago de la Frontera. This group included Luis de Morales, Vicente Valenzuela, Ambrosio de Morales Bocanegra, and 40 soldiers. Their goal was to explore the land where the native Pijao lived.
However, this first town didn't last long. Diego Bocanegra had to leave with his soldiers to join another group. This was because a high court ordered him to do so. So, Santiago de la Frontera was left empty.
In 1586, Diego Bocanegra tried again. He started a second settlement and called it Medina de las Torres. But the Pijao people often attacked Medina de las Torres. Because of these attacks, this town also disappeared. There was even a third attempt to build a town, but it also failed due to more attacks from the Pijao.
Ortega is Finally Built
Many years later, on November 30, 1821, a Catholic priest named Nicolás Ramírez successfully rebuilt the town. He named it Ortega. This new town was built in an area of about 98 square kilometers (38 square miles). This time, the town stayed and grew into the Ortega we know today.
What Ortega Looks Like
Ortega is known for its beautiful natural scenery. You can see amazing views of the mountains, like the Cerros de los Abechuchos. These mountains add to the natural beauty of the area.
See also
In Spanish: Ortega (Tolima) para niños
