Tópaga

Tópaga (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈtopaɣa]) is a town and municipality in the Sugamuxi Province, part of the Colombian department of Boyacá. Tópaga is situated on the Altiplano Cundiboyacense with the urban center at an altitude of 2,900 metres (9,500 ft) while the topography varies over the municipality from 2,400 metres (7,900 ft) to 3,200 metres (10,500 ft). It borders Nobsa and Corrales in the west, in the east Mongua and Gámeza, in the north Gámeza and in the south Monguí and Sogamoso. Department capital Tunja is 98 kilometres (61 mi) away. Chicamocha River flows through Tópaga.[1]

Tópaga
Municipality and town
View of Tópaga
Flag
Location of the municipality and town of Tópaga in the Boyacá Department of Colombia
Country Colombia
DepartmentBoyacá Department
ProvinceSugamuxi Province
Founded6 March 1593
Founded byÁlvaro Leiva
Government
 • MayorÁlvaro Henry Barrera Díaz
(2020-2023)
Area
 • Municipality and town37 km2 (14 sq mi)
 • Urban
6.4 km2 (2.5 sq mi)
Elevation
2,900 m (9,500 ft)
Population
 (2015)
 • Municipality and town3,694
 • Density100/km2 (260/sq mi)
 • Urban
1,406
Time zoneUTC-5 (Colombia Standard Time)
WebsiteOfficial website

Etymology

The name Tópaga comes from Chibcha and means "Behind father river".[2]

History

Before the Spanish conquest, Tópaga was inhabited by the Muisca. The village was ruled by a cacique with the same name as the village, loyal to the iraca of Sugamuxi. The iraca was educated by messenger god Bochica according to the religion of the Muisca.[1]

Modern Tópaga was founded in 1593 by Álvaro Leiva.[1]

Economy

Main economical activity of Tópaga is coal mining, used to produce electrical energy.[1]

  • Central square
  • Chapel interior

Panorama
Central square of Tópaga

References
  1. (in Spanish) Official website Tópaga
  2. (in Spanish) Etymology Tópaga - Excelsio.net

This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.