Mongua

{{Infobox settlement

|name = Mongua

|native_name =

|nickname =

|motto =

|settlement_type = Municipality and town

|image_skyline = Parque de Mongua.JPG

|imagesize =

|image_caption = Central square of Mongua

|image_flag = Flag of Mongua (Boyacá).svg

|image_seal =

|image_map = Colombia - Boyaca - Mongua.svg

|mapsize = 250px

|map_caption = Location of the municipality and town of Mongua in the Boyacá Department of Colombia.

|pushpin_map =

|pushpin_mapsize = 300

|pushpin_map_caption = Location in Colombia

|subdivision_type = Country

|subdivision_name = {{flag|Colombia}}

|subdivision_type1 = Department

|subdivision_name1 = Boyacá Department

|subdivision_type2 = Province

|subdivision_name2 = Sugamuxi Province

|leader_title = Mayor

|leader_name = Marco Fidel Silva Rojas
(2020-2023)

|established_title = Founded

|established_date = 4 November 1977

|area_magnitude =

|area_total_km2 = 365.5

|area_total_sq_mi =

|area_land_km2 =

|area_land_sq_mi =

|area_water_km2 =

|area_water_sq_mi =

|area_water_percent =

|area_urban_km2 = 13.79

|area_urban_sq_mi =

|area_metro_km2 =

|area_metro_sq_mi =

|population_as_of = 2005

|population_note =

|population_total = 4717

|population_density_km2 =

|population_density_sq_mi =

|population_metro =

|population_density_metro_km2 =

|population_density_metro_sq_mi =

|population_urban = 1628

|coordinates =

|timezone = Colombia Standard Time

|utc_offset = -5

|timezone_DST =

|utc_offset_DST =

|elevation_m = 2975

|elevation_ft =

|website = [http://www.mongua-boyaca.gov.co/index.shtml#1 Official website]

|footnotes =

}}

Mongua is a town and municipality in Sugamuxi Province in the Colombian Department of Boyacá. Mongua is situated in the Eastern Ranges of the Colombian Andes at altitudes between {{convert|1400|m|ft}} and {{convert|4000|m|ft}}. The municipality borders Gámeza, Socotá, Pisba, Labranzagrande, Aquitania, Sogamoso, Monguí and Tópaga.{{in lang|es}} [http://www.mongua-boyaca.gov.co/index.shtml#1 Official website Mongua] - accessed 06-05-2016

History

In the centuries before the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors, the central highlands of Colombia (Altiplano Cundiboyacense) were inhabited by the Muisca. Mongua was part of the rule of the iraca of Sugamuxi. According to the Muisca religion, the messenger god Bochica traveled to Gámeza and took shelter in a cave called Toy´ña. The cacique of Mongua brought him gifts in the cave.

Mongua in the Chibcha language of the Muisca means either "bath on the hill",{{in lang|es}} [http://www.excelsio.net/2011/11/sabe-el-origen-del-nombre-de-su.html Etymology Mongua] - accessed 06-05-2016 or "land of the rising Sun".

Economy

Main economical activities in Mongua are agriculture (predominantly potatoes) and coal mining.

Gallery

File:Parque de Mongua 4.JPG|Central square

File:Laguna Negra, Mongua, Boyacá 2.JPG|Laguna negra ("black lake")

File:Laguna Negra, Mongua, Boyacá 4.JPG|Laguna negra

File:Cascada Laguna Negra, Mongua, Boyacá.JPG|Laguna negra waterfall

References

{{reflist}}

{{commons category|Mongua Municipality}}

{{Municipalities boyaca department}}

{{coord|5|45|N|72|48|W|display=title|region:CO_type:city_source:GNS-enwiki}}

Category:Municipalities of Boyacá Department

Category:Populated places established in 1977

Category:Populated places of the Muisca Confederation