Choachí

The name Choachí is derived from the original name in Chibcha: Chi-gua-chí, which means "Our Mountain of the Moon". The Muisca had a strong lunar cult and worshipped the goddess of the Moon, Chía in various places across their territories. It is believed that in Choachí a place of worship to the Moon was located.^[1]

Choachí is home to the tallest waterfall in Colombia, La Chorrera, which has a height of 590 m (~1940 ft).^[2]

The area of Choachí was inhabited by the southern Muisca, part of the Muisca Confederation ruled by the zipa of Bacatá. The modern foundation of the town was early in the Spanish conquest of the Muisca, in 1560, by Antonio Bermúdez, a conquistador who arrived as part of the army of Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada. In 1601 a parish was constructed in Choachí.^[1]

Between the 17th and 19th century the original indigenous population almost completely perished.^[1]

Main economical activities in Choachí are agriculture, livestock farming. Also tourism, mainly from the capital, is a source of income for the local people.^[1]

In the area of Choachí Cretaceous sandstones and the organic-rich shales of the Fómeque Formation are outcropping.^[1]

In the first half of the 20th century within Choachí the Choachí Stone has been found, possibly in a grave. The stone, carved in lydite may represent the Muisca calendar, a complex lunisolar calendar used by the Muisca.^[3] Also petroglyphs have been discovered in Choachí.

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  Cara del indio, rock shaped as the face of an Indian
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  Highest waterfall of Colombia
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  Rural part of Choachí
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  Cows in the fog
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  Store in Choachí
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  Road to Choachí
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  Charcoal burners of Choachí in 1850 by Ramón Torres Méndez.^[5]
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  Church of San Miguel in Choachí

• A number of episodes of the popular series Escobar, el patrón del mal were filmed in Choachí
• The highest waterfall of Colombia with 590 metres (1,940 ft) is located in Choachí