Tenza (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈtensa]) is a town and municipality in the subregion of the Eastern Boyacá Province of the Colombian department Boyacá. Tenza borders La Capilla and Pachavita in the north, in the east the department of Cundinamarca, in the south with Sutatenza and in the east with Garagoa. The altitude of the municipality in the Tenza Valley ranges from 1,600 metres (5,200 ft) to 2,200 metres (7,200 ft).[1]

Tenza
Municipality and town
Church of Tenza
Church of Tenza
Flag of Tenza
Location of the municipality and town of Tenza in the Boyacá Department of Colombia
Location of the municipality and town of Tenza in the Boyacá Department of Colombia
Country Colombia
DepartmentBoyacá Department
ProvinceEastern Boyacá Province
Founded24 June 1537
Founded byPedro Fernández de Valenzuela
Government
 • MayorJose Luis Gómez Alfonso
(2020-2023)
Area
 • Municipality and town
51 km2 (20 sq mi)
Elevation
1,600 m (5,200 ft)
Population
 (2015)
 • Municipality and town
4,112
 • Density81/km2 (210/sq mi)
 • Urban
1,229
Time zoneUTC-5 (Colombia Standard Time)
WebsiteOfficial website

History

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Tenza used to be inhabited by the Muisca before the arrival of the Spanish conquistadores led by Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada who was looking for emeralds. The village was ruled by the cacique of Cora, loyal to the zaque of Hunza.[1] Modern Tenza was founded during the Spanish conquest of the Muisca by the Jiménez de Quesada, on June 24, Saint John's day, 1537.[1]

Tenza used to be called Tenazuca, which in the Chibcha language of the Muisca means "going down at night".[2]

Economy

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Livestock farming is the most important activity. The agriculture of Tenza is relatively modest with beans, peas, maize, yuca, arracacha, tomatoes, cucumbers and bananas. Some mining is executed in Tenza.[1]

Born in Tenza

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d (in Spanish) Official website Tenza - accessed 07-05-2016
  2. ^ (in Spanish) Etymology Tenza - accessed 07-05-2016

5°05′N 73°25′W / 5.083°N 73.417°W / 5.083; -73.417