Simijaca

Simijaca (pronounced/SIMIH'ækƏ/) is a town and municipality in the Ubaté Province, part of the Cundinamarca Department, Colombia. The town centre is located at an altitude of 2,559 metres (8,396 ft) on the Altiplano Cundiboyacense at 136 kilometres (85 mi) from the capital Bogotá. Simijaca borders the Boyacá municipalities Chiquinquirá and Caldas in the north, Susa and Carmen de Carupa in the south, Caldas in the west and San Miguel de Sema in the east.[1]

Simijaca
Municipality and town
Central square of Simijaca
Flag
Seal
Location of the municipality and town inside Cundinamarca Department of Colombia
Simijaca
Location in Colombia
Coordinates: 5°30′7″N 73°51′7″W
Country Colombia
Department Cundinamarca
ProvinceUbaté Province
Founded14 August 1600
Founded byLuis Enríquez & Juan López de Linares
Government
 • MayorEdgar Aguilar Castro
(2020-2023)
Area
 • Municipality and town107 km2 (41 sq mi)
 • Urban
0.8 km2 (0.3 sq mi)
Elevation
2,559 m (8,396 ft)
Population
 (2015)
 • Municipality and town13,077
 • Density120/km2 (320/sq mi)
 • Urban
7,293
Time zoneUTC-5 (Colombia Standard Time)
WebsiteOfficial website

Etymology

Simijaca means in the Chibcha language of the Muisca "Blue circle" or "Nose of the white owl".[2]

History

The area of Simijaca before the Spanish conquest was part of the Muisca Confederation. Initially loyal to the zaque of Hunza, Simijaca changed rule around 1490 when it was submitted by zipa Saguamanchica.[3]

The first Spanish establishment was done by Rodrigo Mexia Serrano on February 26, 1586. However, this population was ephemeral. And when the oidor (judge) Luis Enrique did a visitation, in July 1600, the natives had not populated the town and the entrusted had not built the church. By act on August 14, 1600, carried out by Luis Enríquez & Juan López de Linares in Cucunubá, the new and actual town of Simijaca was established. It was formed by indigenous people from Simijaca, Fúquene and Nemoguá.

Economy

Main economical activity in Simijaca is agriculture with products onions, beans, maize, potatoes and peas as most important agricultural products.[1]

Geology

The Upper Cretaceous Simijaca Formation is named after Simijaca.

  • Church
  • Council building

References
  1. (in Spanish) Official website Simijaca
  2. Espejo Olaya, 1999, p.1123
  3. Restrepo Arcila, 2002, p.179

Bibliography
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