Country Colombia Founded 28 January 1636 Elevation 1,815 m (5,955 ft) Area 36.04 km² Local time Saturday 4:49 AM | Department Boyacá Department Founded by Diego Morales et al. Website Official website Population 9,603 (2015) Province Eastern Boyacá Province | |
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Weather 14°C, Wind NW at 3 km/h, 83% Humidity | ||
Guateque is a town and municipality in the Colombian Department of Boyacá, part of the subregion of the Eastern Boyacá Province. Guateque's urban center is located at an altitude of 1,815 metres (5,955 ft) on the Altiplano Cundiboyacense at distances of 125 kilometres (78 mi) from the department capital Tunja and 112 kilometres (70 mi) from Bogotá, capital of Colombia. It borders the municipalities of La Capilla, Tenza, Sutatenza, Somondoco of Boyacá and Tibiritá and Manta of Cundinamarca.
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Map of Guateque, Boyac%C3%A1, Colombia
Etymology
Guateque is derived from the original name Guatoc, meaning "Stream of the ravine" or "Lord of the winds".
History
In the centuries before the Spanish conquest of the Muisca, the central highlands of Colombia were inhabited by the Muisca. The Muisca practiced different rituals related to their religion. On the hill within the municipality that they called Guatoc, the people organized religious festivities. The cacique of Guateque was an important leader within the loose Muisca Confederation, as gold mining was executed in Guateque.
While catholic missionaries already were working in Guateque since 1556, the modern town was founded on January 28, 1636 by a group of Spanish leaders.
Economy
Despite the urban character of Guateque, almost half of its economy is based on agriculture and livestock farming. Predominant agricultural products are maize and tomatoes.