Tota, Boyacá Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids

Tota

Municipality and town

Monument honouring the weavers, Tota

Flag

Location of the municipality and town of Tota in the Boyacá Department of Colombia

Country

Colombia

Department

Boyacá Department

Province

Sugamuxi Province

Founded by

Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada

Area

• Municipality and town

314 km² (121 sq mi)

Elevation

2,870 m (9,420 ft)

Population

(2015)

• Municipality and town

5,386

• Density

17.153/km² (44.43/sq mi)

• Urban

559

Time zone

UTC-5 (Colombia Standard Time)

Website

Official website: http://www.tota-boyaca.gov.co/

Tota is a charming town and a special kind of local government area, called a municipality, in Boyacá, Colombia. It's part of the Sugamuxi Province. Tota is about 40 kilometers (25 miles) from a city called Sogamoso. It shares its borders with other towns like Cuítiva to the north, Aquitania to the east, Zetaquirá and San Eduardo to the south, and Pesca to the west. Very close to Tota is Lake Tota, which is the biggest lake in Colombia!

History of Tota
What Tota's Economy Is Like
Gallery
See also

History of Tota

Before the Spanish arrived in Colombia, the area where Tota is now was home to the Muisca. These were a group of indigenous people who lived in the central highlands of Colombia. Their land was called the Altiplano Cundiboyacense. The Muisca in this area were ruled by a leader known as the zaque of Hunza. Today, Hunza is known as Tunja.

The name Tota comes from the Chibcha language of the Muisca. It means "tillage of the river," which tells us that farming near the river was important to them.

The first European explorer to reach the northern lands of the Muisca was Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada. He was a Spanish conquistador who arrived in the area in the 1500s.

What Tota's Economy Is Like

The people of Tota mainly earn their living through a few key activities:

Agriculture: This means farming! They grow many different crops, including potatoes, carrots, peas, and onions.
Livestock Farming: Raising animals like cows, sheep, or pigs is also a big part of their economy.
Mining: Some people work in mines, digging for valuable resources.
Tourism: Because Lake Tota is so beautiful, many visitors come to the area. This helps local businesses like hotels and restaurants. One popular spot is Playa Blanca ("White Beach") at Lake Tota.