Gachancipá

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Gachancipá is a municipality and town of Colombia in the Central Savanna Province, part of the department of Cundinamarca. The urban centre is located on the Altiplano Cundiboyacense at 42 kilometres (26 mi) from the capital Bogotá. The municipality borders Guatavita and Tocancipá in the south, Sesquilé and Guatavita in the east, Nemocón in the west and Suesca in the north.[2]

Gachancipá
Municipality and town
Central square
Central square
Flag of Gachancipá
Official seal of Gachancipá
Location of the municipality and town inside Cundinamarca department of Colombia
Location of the municipality and town inside Cundinamarca department of Colombia
Gachancipá is located in Colombia
Gachancipá
Gachancipá
Location in Colombia
Coordinates: 4°59′27″N 73°52′23″W / 4.99083°N 73.87306°W / 4.99083; -73.87306
Country Colombia
Department Cundinamarca
ProvinceCentral Savanna Province
Founded1 January 1612
Government
 • MayorJosé Joaquín Cubides Ariza
(2016-2019)
Area
 • Municipality and town43.06 km2 (16.63 sq mi)
 • Urban
1.03 km2 (0.40 sq mi)
Elevation
2,568 m (8,425 ft)
Population
 (2018 census)[1]
 • Municipality and town17,026
 • Density400/km2 (1,000/sq mi)
 • Urban
11,252
 • Urban density11,000/km2 (28,000/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC-5 (Colombia Standard Time)
WebsiteOfficial website

Etymology

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The name Gachancipá comes from Chibcha and means "Pottery of the zipa".[2]

History

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The area of Gachancipá before the Spanish conquest was inhabited by the Muisca, organised in their loose Muisca Confederation. Gachancipá, as the name suggests, was ruled by the zipa based in Bacatá.

Modern Gachancipá was founded on January 1, 1612 but the founders are unknown.[2]

In the late 18th century Muisca scholar José Domingo Duquesne was based in Gachancipá. A school in the town is named after him.[3]

Economy

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The economy of Gachancipá traditionally was centered around agriculture and livestock farming. In recent years flowers are cultivated in the municipality.[2]

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References

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