Villeta, Cundinamarca

5°0′29.91″N 74°28′25.61″W / 5.0083083°N 74.4737806°W / 5.0083083; -74.4737806Country ColombiaDepartment CundinamarcaProvinceGualiváFounded29 September 1551Founded byAlonso de Olalla & Hernando de AlcocerGovernment • MayorJhon Alexander Morera Gutiérrez
(2016-2019)Area • Municipality and town140.9 km² (54.4 sq mi) • Urban5.5 km² (2.1 sq mi)Elevation850 m (2,790 ft)Population • Municipality and town26,873 • Density190/km² (490/sq mi) • Urban17,985 • Urban density3,300/km² (8,500/sq mi)Time zoneUTC-5 (Colombia Standard Time)WebsiteOfficial website

Villeta is a municipality and town in Cundinamarca (Colombia), located in Gualivá Province, approximately 84 kilometres (52 mi) northwest of Bogota, considered the capital of the province. Its name means "Little Village". The municipality borders Quebradanegra and Nimaima in the north, Nocaima and Sasaima in the east, Albán and Vianí in the south and Guaduas in the west. It is situated at an altitude of 850 metres (2,790 ft) in the Eastern Ranges of the Colombian Andes^[2]

History

The region of Villeta before the Spanish conquest was inhabited by the Panche. Modern Villeta was founded as Villa de San Miguel on September 29, 1551 by Alonso de Olalla and Hernando de Alcocer.^[3]

Main economic activities in Villeta are related with sugar cane derivatives and as an important tourist center for people from Bogotá due to its warm climate, including ecologic trails, cascades and hotels.

Geology

The Villeta Group comprising the Conejo, La Frontera, Simijaca, Hiló, Capotes, Socotá, El Peñón and Trincheras Formations is named after Villeta.^[4]

Gallery

• 
  Old house
• 
  Church interior
• 
  Monument to the farmers
• 
  Landscape of Villeta

References