Mongua

Mongua
Municipality and town

Central square of Mongua

Flag

Location of the municipality and town of Mongua in the Boyacá Department of Colombia.
Country  Colombia
Department Boyacá Department
Province Sugamuxi Province
Founded 4 November 1977
Government
 • Mayor Bernardo Pérez
(2016-2019)
Area
 • Municipality and town 365.5 km2 (141.1 sq mi)
 • Urban 13.79 km2 (5.32 sq mi)
Elevation 2,975 m (9,760 ft)
Population (2005)
 • Municipality and town 4,717
 • Urban 1,628
Time zone Colombia Standard Time (UTC-5)
Website Official website

Mongua is a town and municipality in Sugamuxi Province in the Colombian Department of Boyacá. Mongua is situated in the Eastern Ranges of the Colombian Andes at altitudes between 1,400 metres (4,600 ft) and 4,000 metres (13,000 ft). The municipality borders Gámeza, Socotá, Pisba, Labranzagrande, Aquitania, Sogamoso, Monguí and Tópaga.[1]

History

In the centuries before the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors, the central highlands of Colombia (Altiplano Cundiboyacense) were inhabited by the Muisca. Mongua was part of the rule of the iraca of Sugamuxi. According to the Muisca religion, the messenger god Bochica traveled to Gámeza and took shelter in a cave called Toy´ña. The cacique of Mongua brought him gifts in the cave.[1]

Mongua in the Chibcha language of the Muisca means either "bath on the hill",[2] or "land of the rising Sun".[1]

Economy

Main economical activities in Mongua are agriculture (predominantly potatoes) and coal mining.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 (Spanish) Official website Mongua - accessed 06-05-2016
  2. ↑ (Spanish) Etymology Mongua - accessed 06-05-2016
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Coordinates: 5°45′N 72°48′W / 5.750°N 72.800°W / 5.750; -72.800

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 9/17/2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.