- Chía, Cundinamarca
-
For other uses, see Chia.
Chía
Flag
SealNickname(s): The Moon City Location of the town and municipality of Chia in Cundinamarca Department. Department Cundinamarca Province Central Savanna Province Foundation Pre-Columbian Government – Mayor Jorge Orlando Gaitán Mahecha Area – Total 80 km2 (30.9 sq mi) Elevation 2,564 m (8,412 ft) Population – Total 196,640 – Density 1,080.3/km2 (2,798/sq mi) Website
www.chia.gov.coChía is a town and municipality in the Cundinamarca department of Colombia, located to the north of Bogotá on the main road to Zipaquira. Its history dates back to the pre-Columbian era. The name comes from the Chibchan language and means "moon" or "month".
Due to its proximity to Bogotá (2.7 km), Chía has effectively become a dormitory suburb of the capital. It is also home of the Universidad de la Sabana.
Contents
History
Chía was a Muisca settlement in the pre-Columbian era, and an important ceremonial center of worship to the moon deity Chia goddess. In 1537 the Spanish, under the command of Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada, took possession of the town.
In 1781, during the Revolt of the Comuneros, the march of the insurgents towards Bogotá stopped near Chía in order to cross the Bogotá River, in what is now known as the Bridge of the Commoners (Spanish: Puente del Común). At that site the viceroy signed a series of concessions to the rebels. However, once the rebel group had dispersed, the viceroy declared the concessions invalid for having been signed "under pressure". It is widely believed that eventually Bogota will merge with Chia, if the city continues expanding (as it happened with Bosa and Soacha).
Borders
- North with Cajicá and Sopó
- South: Localities of Usaquen and Suba, Bogotá
- West with Tabio and Tenjo
- Southwest: Cota
- East with Sopó
Other facts
- Market Day: Sunday
- Distance from Bogotá: 3.1 km
- Median temperature: 14 °C
- Demonym: Chiense or Chiano
- DANE Code: 25175
Sites of interest
- Marroquín Castle
- Hacienda Yerbabuena
- Commoners Bridge
- Chía Mall (Centro-Chía)
- Andrés Carne de Res
- Iglesia la Valvanera
- Teattroria
Schools&Universities
- Colegio Montemorel
- Universidad la Sabana
- Colegio GICEI
External links
- (Spanish) Official site of the Chía city council
- (Spanish) : FOTW: Flag and Coat of Arms of Chia
Coordinates: 4°51′N 74°03′W / 4.85°N 74.05°W
Provinces and Municipalities in Cundinamarca Department Almeidas Province Upper Magdalena Province Lower Magdalena Province Gualivá Province Guavio Province Central Magdalena Province Medina Province Eastern Province Rionegro Province Central Savanna Province Western Savanna Province Soacha Province Sumapaz Province Arbeláez • Cabrera • Fusagasugá • Granada • Pandi • Pasca • San Bernardo • Silvania • Tibacuy • VeneciaTequendama Province Anapoima • Anolaima • Apulo • Cachipay • El Colegio • La Mesa • Quipile • San Antonio del Tequendama • Tena • ViotáUbaté Province Carmen de Carupa • Cucunubá • Fúquene • Guachetá • Lenguazaque • Simijacá • Susa • Sutatausa • Tausa • UbatéMetropolitan Area of Bogotá Bogotá, Capital DistrictSee also: List of municipalities in CundinamarcaCategories:- Municipalities of Cundinamarca
- Populated places in the Cundinamarca Department
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.