Motavita
Municipality and town in Boyacá Department, Colombia
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Motavita is a town and municipality in the Colombian Department of Boyacá, part of the subregion of the Central Boyacá Province. It covers approximately 62 square kilometres (24 sq mi).[1]
Motavita | |
|---|---|
Municipality and town | |
Central square of Motavita | |
.svg) Flag  Coat of arms | |
 Location of the municipality and town of Motavita in the Boyacá Department of Colombia | |
| Coordinates: 05°34′38″N 073°22′02″W | |
| Country |  Colombia |
| Department | Boyacá Department |
| Province | Central Boyacá Province |
| Founded | 23 December 1816 |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Mery Mozo Fonseca (2020-2023) |
| Area | |
| 62 km2 (24 sq mi) | |
| Elevation | 2,690 m (8,830 ft) |
| Population (2015) | |
| 8,067 | |
| • Urban | 881 |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Colombia Standard Time) |
| Website | Official website |
Etymology
The name Motavita comes from the Chibcha language and means "washing place to prepare for growing crops", indicating a ceremonial use.[2]
Geography
History
In the time before the Spanish conquest of the Muisca, Motavita was inhabited by the Muisca, organised in their loose Muisca Confederation. Motavita was an important settlement in the coca trade with surrounding indigenous groups, such as the Muzo people who populated the western parts of Boyacá. Motavita was ruled by the zaque of nearby Hunza. Conquistador Hernán Pérez de Quesada, brother of Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada, reached Motavita in 1540.[1] In 1776 the first evangelisation of the Catholic Church was established by friar Juan Pérez.[1] Modern Motavita was founded on 23 December 1816 and its first mayor was Marino Monrroy.[1]
Divisions
Born in Motavita
- Jefferson Vargas, professional cyclist