Country Colombia Elevation 2,600 m (8,500 ft) Area 33.28 km² | City Bogotá D.C. Website Official website Population 317,179 (2007) | |
 | ||
Neighbourhoods List
Ciudad Salitre
Modelia Time zone Colombia Standard Time (UTC-5) | ||
Fontibon is a former municipality located at the westernmost side of Bogotá, Colombia.
Contents
- Map of FontibC3B3n BogotC3A1 Bogota Colombia
- Etymology
- History
- Economy
- Monuments
- Transportation
- References
Map of Fontib%C3%B3n, Bogot%C3%A1, Bogota, Colombia
Etymology
The origin of the city's name can be traced to the Muisca ruler cacique Huintiva or Hyntiba (meaning "powerful cacique") and the mutation of the word to its present spelling, being this among other names such as Ontibon and Hontibón.
History
Fontibón was part of the southern Muisca Confederation in the times before the Spanish conquest. It was incorporated into the newly formed capital district of Bogotá on December 17, 1954. Fontibon was the gate to the current city of Bogotá also known as Santa Fe de Bogotá, for conquistador Gonzalo Jimenez de Quesada and his fellow expeditioners.
The city was cradle to the residence of Peter Claver. Little by little the community became one of the most idolizing and religious. The city started to expand, and in the sixteenth century it was divided into 22 "capitanias".
Fontibon's original maps constitute one of Colombia's oldest documents.
In the year 1956, Fontibon was merged with Bogota, losing its status as "associate town".
Economy
The neighborhood has the headquarters of SATENA.
Monuments
Transportation
The city is still far away from Bogota's major mass transport system - the TransMilenio. Fontibon's main highway leads to Medellín.