Zetaquirá facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Zetaquirá
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Municipality and town
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Church of Zetaquirá
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Location of the municipality and town of Zetaquirá in the Boyacá Department of Colombia
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| Country |  Colombia |
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| Department | Boyacá Department | ||
| Province | Lengupá Province | ||
| Founded | 21 May 1765 | ||
| Founded by | Pedro López | ||
| Area | |||
| • Municipality and town | 262 km2 (101 sq mi) | ||
| Elevation | 1,665 m (5,463 ft) | ||
| Population
(2015)
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| • Municipality and town | 4,557 | ||
| • Density | 17.39/km2 (45.05/sq mi) | ||
| • Urban | 1,059 | ||
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Colombia Standard Time) | ||
| Website | Official website: http://www.zetaquira-boyaca.gov.co/ | ||
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Zetaquirá is a town and a "municipality" (a type of local government area) in Colombia. It is located in the Boyacá Department, which is like a state or province. Zetaquirá is about 67 kilometers (42 miles) from Tunja, the capital city of Boyacá.
The town is surrounded by other places like Pesca to the north and Miraflores to the south. To the east, it borders Berbeo, San Eduardo, and Aquitania. To the west, it borders Ramiriquí and Chinavita.
Zetaquirá covers an area of 262 square kilometers (101 square miles). It sits on a high plateau called the Altiplano Cundiboyacense. The elevation of the area ranges from about 1,875 meters (6,152 feet) to 3,600 meters (11,800 feet) above sea level.
Contents
What Does Zetaquirá Mean?
The name Zetaquirá comes from the ancient Chibcha language. In Chibcha, it means "Land of the snake" or "City of the snake."
A Look Back in Time
Early Inhabitants
Long ago, before the Spanish arrived, the central highlands of the Colombian Andes mountains were home to many different groups of native people. The most powerful group was the Muisca. They were organized into a loose group of communities called the Muisca Confederation.
Zetaquirá was part of the land ruled by the zaque. The zaque was a Muisca leader whose main city was called Hunza, which is now known as Tunja. Other native groups, like the Achagua and Tegua, also lived near Zetaquirá.
Founding of Modern Zetaquirá
The modern town of Zetaquirá was officially founded on May 21, 1765. It was established by a person named Pedro López.
What People Do in Zetaquirá
The main ways people make a living in Zetaquirá are through agriculture (farming) and raising livestock (farm animals).
Farming in Zetaquirá
Farmers in Zetaquirá grow many different crops. Some of the most important ones include:
Tourism
Another important way people earn money in Zetaquirá is through tourism. Many visitors come to enjoy the thermal baths in the municipality. These are natural hot springs that are believed to have health benefits.
Gallery
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Central square Zetaquirá
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Thermal baths
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Tinajas waterfall
See also
In Spanish: Zetaquira para niños
