Chía, Cundinamarca
Encyclopedia
Chía 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.
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 . 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
).
Cundinamarca Department
- Origin of the name :The name of Cundinamarca comes from Kundur marqa, an indigenous expression, probably derived from Quechua. Meaning "Condor's Nest", it was used in pre-Columbian times by the natives of the Magdalena Valley to refer to the nearby highlands....
department of Colombia
Colombia
Colombia, officially the Republic of Colombia , is a unitary constitutional republic comprising thirty-two departments. The country is located in northwestern South America, bordered to the east by Venezuela and Brazil; to the south by Ecuador and Peru; to the north by the Caribbean Sea; to the...
, located to the north of Bogotá
Bogotá
Bogotá, Distrito Capital , from 1991 to 2000 called Santa Fé de Bogotá, is the capital, and largest city, of Colombia. It is also designated by the national constitution as the capital of the department of Cundinamarca, even though the city of Bogotá now comprises an independent Capital district...
on the main road to Zipaquira
Zipaquirá
Zipaquirá is a municipality and city of Colombia in the department of Cundinamarca. Its neighboring municipalities are Tausa and Cogua to the north; Nemocón, Gachancipá and Sopó to the east; Cajicá and Tabio to the south; and Subachoque and Pacho to the west. Its seat of municipal government is 49...
. Its history dates back to the pre-Columbian
Pre-Columbian
The pre-Columbian era incorporates all period subdivisions in the history and prehistory of the Americas before the appearance of significant European influences on the American continents, spanning the time of the original settlement in the Upper Paleolithic period to European colonization during...
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.
History
Chía was a MuiscaMuisca
Muisca was the Chibcha-speaking tribe that formed the Muisca Confederation of the central highlands of present-day Colombia. They were encountered by the Spanish Empire in 1537, at the time of the conquest...
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
Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada
Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada was a Spanish explorer and conquistador in Colombia. He explored the northern part of South America. While successful in many of his exploits, acquiring massive amounts of gold and emeralds, he ended his career disastrously; and has been suggested as a possible model...
, took possession of the town.
In 1781, during the Revolt of the Comuneros
Revolt of the Comuneros (New Granada)
The Revolt of the Comuneros was an uprising by the inhabitants of the Viceroyalty of New Granada against the Spanish authorities in 1781. While underlying causes may have been economic, ideas of freedom and self-government were expressed...
, the march of the insurgents towards Bogotá stopped near Chía in order to cross the Bogotá River
Bogotá River
The Bogotá River is a major river of the Cundinamarca department of Colombia, crossing the region from the northeast to the southwest and passing along the western limits of Bogotá...
, in what is now known as the Bridge of the Commoners . 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
Bogotá
Bogotá, Distrito Capital , from 1991 to 2000 called Santa Fé de Bogotá, is the capital, and largest city, of Colombia. It is also designated by the national constitution as the capital of the department of Cundinamarca, even though the city of Bogotá now comprises an independent Capital district...
will merge with Chia, if the city continues expanding (as it happened with Bosa and Soacha
Soacha
Soacha is the city of Colombia on the southern edge of Bogotá, the country's capital. It has an important industrial zone and is home to mostly working class families.-Demographics:...
).
Borders
- North with CajicáCajicáCajicá is a municipality and town of Colombia in the department of Cundinamarca.The native name of Cajicá is "The Stone Fortress." It is the third most populous municipality in the province after Zipaquirá and Chía- Other Facts:*Market Day: Sunday...
and Sopó - South: Localities of Usaquen and Suba, Bogotá
- West with TabioTabioTabio is a municipality and town of Colombia in the department of Cundinamarca. It is located at from Bogotá. The population was 20,714 at 2005...
and TenjoTenjoTenjo is a municipality and town of Colombia in the department of Cundinamarca.... - Southwest: CotaCota, ColombiaCota is a municipality and town of Colombia in the department of Cundinamarca.Jose Nestor Gonzalez Romero is the mayor of Cota.-External links:...
- East with SopóSopóSopó is a municipality and town of Colombia in the department of Cundinamarca....
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