Arcabuco

Country ColombiaDepartmentBoyacá DepartmentProvinceRicaurte ProvinceFounded22 October 1856Founded byCeledonio Umaña and Leopoldo RodríguezGovernment • MayorYamith Rodrigo Rodriguez Lopez
(2020-2023)Area • Municipality and town155 km² (60 sq mi) • Urban35 km² (14 sq mi)Elevation2,739 m (8,986 ft)Population • Municipality and town5,240 • Urban1,961Time zoneUTC-5 (Colombia Standard Time)WebsiteOfficial website

Arcabuco is a town and municipality in the Ricaurte Province, part of the Colombian Department of Boyacá. Arcabuco is situated on the Altiplano Cundiboyacense with the urban centre at an altitude of 2,739 metres (8,986 ft). The municipality borders Moniquirá and Gámbita in the north, Villa de Leyva and Chíquiza in the south, Cómbita in the east and Gachantivá and Villa de Leyva in the west. The department capital Tunja is 34 kilometres (21 mi) to the south.^[1]

Etymology

The name Arcabuco comes from Chibcha and means either "Place of the intricate scrublands" or "Place enclosed by the hills".^[2]

History

The area of Arcabuco in the times before the Spanish conquest was inhabited by the Muisca. Their territory was part of the Muisca Confederation, a loose collection of rulers. Arcabuco was part of the zacazgo, with the zaque based in Hunza.

Modern Arcabuco was founded on October 22, 1856 by Celedonio Umaña and Leopoldo Rodríguez.^[1]

Economy

The economy of Arcabuco is centered around agriculture and livestock farming. Apart from the agricultural products potatoes and strawberries, the town is known as a large producer of almojábanas.^[1]

Climate

Arcabuco has a subtropical highland climate (Cfb) with moderate to heavy rainfall year-round.

Named after Arcabuco

• Arcabuco Formation, Late Jurassic to Early Cretaceous dinosaur tracks-containing geologic formation

Born in Arcabuco

• Cayetano Sarmiento, professional cyclist

Gallery

References