Chivatá is a town and municipality in the Central Boyacá Province, part of the Colombian department of Boyacá. The urban centre is situated at an altitude of 2,903 metres (9,524 ft) on the Altiplano Cundiboyacense at 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) from the department capital Tunja. It borders Oicatá, Toca and Tuta in the north, Toca and Siachoque in the east, Siachoque and Soracá in the south and Tunja in the west.[1]

Chivatá
Municipality and town
Central square of Chivatá
Central square of Chivatá
Flag of Chivatá
Location of the municipality and town of Chivatá in the Boyacá Department of Colombia
Location of the municipality and town of Chivatá in the Boyacá Department of Colombia
Country Colombia
DepartmentBoyacá Department
ProvinceCentral Boyacá Province
Founded5 March 1556
Government
 • MayorRafael Antonio Fonseca Cely
(2020-2023)
Area
 • Municipality and town
56 km2 (22 sq mi)
 • Urban
20 km2 (8 sq mi)
Elevation
2,903 m (9,524 ft)
Population
 (2015)
 • Municipality and town
6,199
 • Density110/km2 (290/sq mi)
 • Urban
2,557
Time zoneUTC-5 (Colombia Standard Time)
WebsiteOfficial website

Etymology

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The name Chivatá is derived from the Chibcha language of the Muisca who inhabited the central highlands of Colombia before the Spanish conquest in the 1530s. It means "Our outside farmfields".[1][2]

History

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Chivatá was ruled by a cacique named Chipatá, loyal to the zaque of nearby Hunza before the arrival of the Spanish conquistadores. Modern Chivatá was founded on March 5, 1556.[1]

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References

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  1. ^ a b c (in Spanish) Official website Chivatá
  2. ^ (in Spanish) Etymology Chivatá - Excelsio.net

5°32′N 73°16′W / 5.533°N 73.267°W / 5.533; -73.267