Somondoco facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Somondoco
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Municipality and town
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Bull fighting arena Somondoco
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Location of the municipality and town of Somondoco in the Boyacá Department of Colombia
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| Country |  Colombia |
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| Department | Boyacá Department | |
| Province | Eastern Boyacá Province | |
| Founded | 6 November 1537 | |
| Area | ||
| • Municipality and town | 58.7 km2 (22.7 sq mi) | |
| • Urban | 2.4 km2 (0.9 sq mi) | |
| Elevation | 1,670 m (5,480 ft) | |
| Population
(2015)
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| • Municipality and town | 3,632 | |
| • Density | 61.87/km2 (160.25/sq mi) | |
| • Urban | 795 | |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Colombia Standard Time) | |
| Website | Official website: http://www.somondoco-boyaca.gov.co/ | |
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Somondoco is a town and a type of local government area called a municipality in Colombia. It is located in the Boyacá Department. This town and its larger area are found in the Tenza Valley.
The Tenza Valley was an old path. It connected the Altiplano Cundiboyacense (a high plateau) and the Llanos (flat plains). Many small towns like Somondoco are in this area. They are all at similar heights, about 1,500 to 1,700 meters (around 4,900 to 5,600 feet) above sea level.
Somondoco shares borders with other towns. To its east is Almeida. To its west is Guayatá. Guateque and Sutatenza are to the north. To the south, it borders Ubalá, which is in the Cundinamarca Department.
The closest larger town is Guateque. It takes about 30 minutes to get there by car. In Somondoco, there are small businesses. They make handicrafts and items to collect.
Contents
What Does Somondoco Mean?
The name Somondoco comes from the Chibcha language. The word So means stone, Mon means bath, and Co means support. The village is named after a local leader called cacique Somendoco or Sumindoco.
A Look at Somondoco's History
Somondoco has been a place where people lived for a very long time. Its history goes back to ancient times. The Muisca people settled here because there were many emeralds. These precious stones were mined in the Andes mountains nearby.
When the Spanish explorers arrived, a leader named Sumindoco ruled Somondoco. He was loyal to the zaque (a Muisca ruler) of Hunza. The town of Somondoco was officially founded on November 6, 1537.
How People Make a Living
The main ways people earn money in Somondoco are through emerald mining and agriculture. Farmers grow crops like maize (corn), tomatoes, sugar cane, beans, bananas, and coffee.
Images for kids
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A view of Somondoco from a distance.
See also
In Spanish: Somondoco para niños
