Toca, Boyacá

Country ColombiaDepartmentBoyacá DepartmentProvinceCentral Boyacá ProvinceFounded7 January 1555Founded byPedro Ruíz GarcíaGovernment • MayorSegundo Crisanto Ochoa Díaz
(2020-2023)Area • Municipality and town165 km² (64 sq mi)Elevation2,810 m (9,220 ft)Population • Municipality and town10,157 • Density62/km² (160/sq mi) • Urban3,629Time zoneUTC-5 (Colombia Standard Time)WebsiteOfficial website

Toca is a town and municipality in the Colombian Department of Boyacá, part of the subregion of the Central Boyacá Province. Toca is situated on the Altiplano Cundiboyacense 27 kilometres (17 mi) northeast from the department capital Tunja. It borders Tuta in the north, Siachoque in the south, Pesca in the east and Tuta and Chivatá in the west.^[1]

History

Before the Spanish conquest of the central highlands of the Colombian Andes, the area was inhabited by the Muisca people, organized in a loose confederation of different rulers. Toca was reigned by the iraca of Sugamuxi, present-day Sogamoso. The troops of conquistador Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada entered the Altiplano Cundiboyacense in 1537. The year of foundation of modern Toca is not entirely clear, but set at 1555 by Pedro Ruíz García.^[1]

Etymology

In the Chibcha language of the Muisca, Toca means "Domain of the river".^[2]

Economy

The economy of Toca is based on agriculture and livestock farming, with a small mining (salt) part. Main agricultural products are wheat, potatoes, maize, barley, peas, beans, apples, pears, peaches, curubas and cherries.^[1]

Gallery

• 
  Artificial lake La Copa
• 
  La Copa
• 
  Monument to Plinio Mendoza Neira

References