Gachancipá

4°59′27″N 73°52′23″W / 4.99083°N 73.87306°W / 4.99083; -73.87306Country ColombiaDepartment CundinamarcaProvinceCentral Savanna ProvinceFounded1 January 1612Government • MayorJosé Joaquín Cubides Ariza
(2016-2019)Area • Municipality and town43.06 km² (16.63 sq mi) • Urban1.03 km² (0.40 sq mi)Elevation2,568 m (8,425 ft)Population • Municipality and town17,026 • Density400/km² (1,000/sq mi) • Urban11,252 • Urban density11,000/km² (28,000/sq mi)Time zoneUTC-5 (Colombia Standard Time)WebsiteOfficial website

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]

Etymology

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

History

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

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

Gallery

• 
  Church of Gachancipá
• 
  Church
• 
  Monument to the indigenous people

References