Chitaraque is a town and municipality in the Ricaurte Province, part of the Colombian department of Boyacá. The urban centre is located at a distance of from the department capital Tunja and situated at an altitude of in the Eastern Ranges of the Colombian Andes. It borders Gámbita, Santander in the east and south, San José de Pare, Santana and Togüí in the west and Suaita, Santander in the north.

Etymology

The name Chitaraque comes from Chibcha and means "Our vigorous farmfields from before".

Chitaraque

History

In the times before the Spanish conquest, Chitaraque was inhabited by the Poasaque tribe, belonging to the Muisca. It was ruled by the zaque of Hunza.

Chitaraque

Modern Chitaraque was founded on January 1, 1621.

Chitaraque

Economy

Main economical activities of Chitaraque are agriculture (panela production, coffee, bananas and yuca) and milk farming.

References

Municipalities of Boyacá Department

Populated places established in 1621

1621 establishments in the Spanish Empire