Tunja

Tunja has a population of 172,548 inhabitants according to the 2018 Census. 0.1% of the city is indigenous, 0.4% is black, and 99.5% is white and Mestizo. It is located in central Colombia, at an elevation ranging from approximately {{convert|2700|m|ft}} to {{convert|2900|m|ft}}. The city centre is at an elevation of {{convert|2820|m|ft}} above sea level.

Tunja's climate is influenced by its location and altitude. At almost 3000 m it is one of the higher cities in Colombia. As a result, the city features a subtropical highland climate (Köppen Cfb) with little variation in temperature throughout the year but a distinct dry season from December to February.

{{Weather box|width=auto

|metric first=y

|single line=y

|collapsed = Y

|location = Tunja (Pedagogical and Technological University of Colombia), elevation {{convert|2690|m|ft|abbr=on}}, (1981–2010)

|Jan high C = 19.6

|Feb high C = 19.8

|Mar high C = 19.8

|Apr high C = 18.7

|May high C = 17.8

|Jun high C = 16.8

|Jul high C = 16.4

|Aug high C = 16.7

|Sep high C = 17.7

|Oct high C = 18.3

|Nov high C = 18.6

|Dec high C = 18.8

| year high C = 18.3

|Jan mean C = 13.3

|Feb mean C = 13.6

|Mar mean C = 13.9

|Apr mean C = 13.8

|May mean C = 13.5

|Jun mean C = 12.7

|Jul mean C = 12.2

|Aug mean C = 12.3

|Sep mean C = 12.7

|Oct mean C = 13.2

|Nov mean C = 13.4

|Dec mean C = 13.2

| year mean C = 13.1

|Jan low C = 7.3

|Feb low C = 8.3

|Mar low C = 9.0

|Apr low C = 9.8

|May low C = 9.8

|Jun low C = 9.2

|Jul low C = 8.6

|Aug low C = 8.5

|Sep low C = 8.2

|Oct low C = 8.8

|Nov low C = 9.0

|Dec low C = 8.1

| year low C = 8.7

|precipitation colour = green

|Jan precipitation mm = 18.1

|Feb precipitation mm = 27.4

|Mar precipitation mm = 53.5

|Apr precipitation mm = 81.3

|May precipitation mm = 85.2

|Jun precipitation mm = 55.0

|Jul precipitation mm = 49.1

|Aug precipitation mm = 40.2

|Sep precipitation mm = 50.0

|Oct precipitation mm = 86.0

|Nov precipitation mm = 73.9

|Dec precipitation mm = 32.8

|year precipitation mm = 652.5

| Jan precipitation days = 5

| Feb precipitation days = 8

| Mar precipitation days = 12

| Apr precipitation days = 17

| May precipitation days = 19

| Jun precipitation days = 19

| Jul precipitation days = 19

| Aug precipitation days = 18

| Sep precipitation days = 16

| Oct precipitation days = 18

| Nov precipitation days = 16

| Dec precipitation days = 9

| year precipitation days = 177

| Jan humidity = 75

| Feb humidity = 75

| Mar humidity = 76

| Apr humidity = 80

| May humidity = 82

| Jun humidity = 83

| Jul humidity = 83

| Aug humidity = 82

| Sep humidity = 79

| Oct humidity = 79

| Nov humidity = 80

| Dec humidity = 78

| year humidity = 79

|Jan sun = 229.4

|Feb sun = 192.0

|Mar sun = 173.6

|Apr sun = 141.0

|May sun = 136.4

|Jun sun = 132.0

|Jul sun = 145.7

|Aug sun = 151.9

|Sep sun = 153.0

|Oct sun = 155.0

|Nov sun = 162.0

|Dec sun = 204.6

|year sun =

|Jand sun = 7.4

|Febd sun = 6.8

|Mard sun = 5.6

|Aprd sun = 4.7

|Mayd sun = 4.4

|Jund sun = 4.4

|Juld sun = 4.7

|Augd sun = 4.9

|Sepd sun = 5.1

|Octd sun = 5.0

|Novd sun = 5.4

|Decd sun = 6.6

|yeard sun =

|source 1 = Instituto de Hidrologia Meteorologia y Estudios Ambientales{{cite web

|url=http://www.ideam.gov.co/documents/21021/553571/Promedios+Climatol%C3%B3gicos++1981+-+2010.xlsx/f28d0b07-1208-4a46-8ccf-bddd70fb4128

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160815025712/http://www.ideam.gov.co/documents/21021/553571/Promedios%2BClimatol%C3%B3gicos%2B%2B1981%2B-%2B2010.xlsx/f28d0b07-1208-4a46-8ccf-bddd70fb4128

|archive-date=15 August 2016

|title=Promedios Climatológicos 1981–2010

|publisher=Instituto de Hidrologia Meteorologia y Estudios Ambientales

|language=es

|access-date= 17 June 2024

|url-status=dead}}

}}

{{see also|Muisca Confederation#Prehistory|Herrera Period}}

The earliest evidence of human population on the Altiplano Cundiboyacense has been dated to approximately 12.000 years ago. Homus Tequendama inhabited the area by 6375 BCE. Archeologists have found human skeletons including arm bones in the area. Many archaeological discoveries were found in the area of the present-day city, dated to approximately 150 BCE.

During the 1st millennium AD, the territory was inhabited by the Muisca, who spoke Chibcha and emigrated from Central America through Panama to the Andean Region.{{cite web|title=Los orígenes remotos de Tunja|url=http://www.tunja.gov.co/?idcategoria=438|website=Tunja.gov.co|access-date=31 August 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707053348/http://tunja.gov.co/?idcategoria=438|archive-date=7 July 2011}} The Muisca developed their own religion, calendar and mythology.

According to those myths, it was the brutal cacique and prophet Goranchacha who moved the capital for the northern Muisca from Ramiriquí to Tunja, then called Hunza.

File:QUEMUENCHATOCHA.jpg}}]]

{{see also|Muisca people}}

An era when frequent battles among cacicazgos took place, peace was proposed for the region and an agreement was made among caciques to choose a supreme chief to rule them all. Hunzahúa, who came from Ramiriqui, was elected. The capital of his confederation was named Hunza. Hunzahúa took the title of hoa ("great lord", the same meaning as psihipqua who ruled from Muyquytá), and reign over the lands from the Chicamocha to Fusagasugá and from the Llanos de San Juan to Panche and Muzo frontiers, including Vélez territory. This helped to unify the Muisca, especially with respect to their language and religion, until zipa Saguamanchica broke this unity due to differences with the cacique of Guatavita.{{in lang|es}} [http://pueblosoriginarios.com/biografias/hunzahua.html Biography Hunzahúa] - Pueblos Originarios

File:AQUIMINZAQUE.jpg}}]]

{{main|Muisca Confederation}}

Saguamanchica, with 50,000 soldiers, decided on a massive attack on hoa Michuá,{{in lang|es}} [http://pueblosoriginarios.com/biografias/michua.html Biography Michuá] - Pueblos Originarios crossing Guatavita and Chocontá, after which the Battle of Chocontá is named. Michuá dealt with him, supported by an army which doubled Saguamanchica, battling around three hours and killing both chiefs. A new hoa, Eucaneme, was installed, during the tense truce between Bacatá and Hunza.

In 1514, Eucaneme found out about the expansionist intentions of the new psihipqua Nemequene. He asked the caciques of Gámeza, Sugamuxi, Tundama and Sáchica to help him to reinforce his army. A battle was fought in Ventaquemada and, when Nemequene was about to become the victor, he was fatally wounded and his troops retreated. Iraca retracted his support and Eucaneme got a truce whose terms would end when the Spanish arrived. When Eucaneme found out the Europeans were around his lands, he decided to stay in Hunza and avoided any aggression against the invaders. He forbade under strict penalties to show the conquistadors the path to his headquarters and when he knew they were reaching him, he sent them gifts and peacemakers, hoping to stop them while he was hiding his treasures.

{{History of the Muisca}}

File:Catedral-Tunja TumbaFundador.jpg

{{main|Spanish conquest of the Muisca}}

Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada parted from Santa Marta in April 1536, on the first main expedition into the Andes. His main goal was to find and conquer El Dorado. After months of traveling, he found many Muisca cacicazgos in the Altiplano Cundiboyacense. In his search, he acquired information about emerald discoveries and other treasures in Somondoco and the Llanos. On August 20, 1537, the conquerors arrived, with horses and dogs. Jiménez de Quesada arrived at the headquarters of Quemuenchatocha, finding him in a chair, dressed in gold in the same way as his companions who ran off, leaving him alone. The gold, the emeralds and the fancy fabrics were taken. This conquest took place where later the San Agustin Convent was built. Quemuenchatocha was taken to Suesca, with the hope he would reveal where he hid the rest of his treasure. He abdicated in favour of his nephew Aquiminzaque and retired to Ramiriquí where he died.{{in lang|es}} [http://pueblosoriginarios.com/biografias/quemen.html Biography of Quemuenchatocha] - Pueblos Originarios

The Spanish Invasion of the territory begins when Jimenez de Quesada captures Quemuenchatocha who is succeeded in life by the young Aquiminzaque. The latter, along with his tribe were taken as an encomienda by Hernán Pérez de Quesada. The new zaque did not show belligerent in front of the Spaniards, and later himself converted to Catholicism. The continuous and numerous demands made by the Spaniards started to create discomfort among the Muisca population.

Aquiminzaque should verify his nuptials with the daughter of the cacique of Gameza and many chiefs decided to go the solemn ceremony. A rumour came to Perez de Quesada that the occasion would be used as an insurrection, for which he apprehended Aquiminzaque and all the caciques, among them the ones from Toca, Motavita, Samacá, Turmequé and Sutamarchán, and condemn them to death. In 1540, the Zaque was beheaded and his death marked the end of the dynasty of zaques of Hunza.{{in lang|es}}[http://pueblosoriginarios.com/biografias/aquiminzaque.html Biography of Aquiminzaque] In the same way, it points to the disintegration and dispersion of natives in encomiendas along the new Tunja Province.{{in lang|es}}[https://web.archive.org/web/20110707053348/http://tunja.gov.co/?idcategoria=438 Nuestra Historia]

File:Juan_de_Castellanos.png

The Spanish city of Tunja was founded on the lands of Quemuenchatocha, where later the convent of San Agustin was built. Founded by Captain Gonzalo Suarez Rendón, on August 6, 1539,{{in lang|es}} [http://www.banrepcultural.org/blaavirtual/revistas/credencial/sept2001/ciudades.htm Fundaciones de ciudades y poblaciones] - Banco de la República the main square was established, also a yard for the church and public buildings around the square; in 1550, the city outlines were consolidated. The same year, The franciscans arrive to the city, and the Dominicans a year later, the Augustinians in 1585 and the Jesuits in 1611; To the foundation, 77 yards are added and divided, along with 70 vegetable gardens, 11 estates and 44 stables. Only until 1616 two parishes are built to receive mestizos and Indians during colonial period: Santa Barbara, at southwest and Las Nieves, at north.{{Cite web |title=Nuestra Historia |url=http://www.tunja.gov.co/?idcategoria=438 |access-date=28 July 2011 |year=2011}}

{{expand section|date=December 2016}}

Tunja has the lowest homicide rate in Colombia and is below average in Latin America according to the report from the International Centre of the Prevention of Crime for 2010.{{cite web|url=http://www.tunja.gov.co/?idcategoria=8320|title=Page officiel de la municipalité en espagnol|website=Tunja.gov.co|access-date=25 November 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://www.crime-prevention-intl.org/fileadmin/user_upload/Publications/Crime_Prevention_and_Community_Safety_ANG.pdf,|title=International Centre of the Prevention of Crime, International report Crime prevention and Community safety: Trends and perspectives 2010|website=Crime-prevention-intl.org|access-date=25 November 2017}} 2 homicides per 100,000 inhabitants in 2015 makes the city one of the safest in the Americas. According to other sources, this value is four times lower than the national average.{{cite news |author=Eduardo Posada Carb |date=21 January 2011 |title=Aprender de Tunja |url=http://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-4353067 |newspaper=El Tiempo}} Tunja is an example of a safe city.{{cite news |title=Inseguridad en las ciudades: ¿ficción o realidad? |trans-title=Insecurity in cities: fiction or reality? |url=http://www.eltiempo.com/revista-credencial/ARTICULO-WEB-NEW_NOTA_INTERIOR-8731420.html |language=es |newspaper=El Tiempo |date=4 January 2011}}

File:Tunja norte.JPG

File:Uno de los Nuevos Edificios en el Sector de Unicentro - Barrio La Esmeralda TUNJA D.H.C..jpg

File:tunja02.jpg

File:Estacion Sur del Tren.jpg

File:Campanario San Agustín.jpg

File:Puente Boyaca Nov 09 2005.jpg in Tunja, the site where Colombian independence was won]]

The streets are named according to 472{{cite web|url=http://www.codigopostal4-72.com.co/codigosPostales/#app=8e8&4817-selectedIndex=4|title=codigopostal4-72.com.co|website=Codigopostal4-72.com.co|access-date=25 November 2017}} and Google Maps{{cite web|url=https://maps.google.com/maps?hl=es&gs_upl=112220l112220l1l112579l1l1l0l0l0l0l0l0ll0l0&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.,cf.osb&biw=1536&bih=810&q=tunja&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hq=&hnear=0x8e6a7c23803430d7:0x2026c9d28de5eddc,Tunja,+Boyac%C3%A1&gl=co&ei=k3zVTtHCBdG0hAe16tlt&sa=X&oi=geocode_result&ct=image&resnum=4&ved=0CE8Q8gEwAw|title=Google Maps|website=Google Maps|access-date=25 November 2017}} nomenclatures — (C: calle), (K: carrera), (S: south), (E: east), (A: ave).

Southern Sector

Eastern Sector

Downtown

Northern Sector

• International Festival of Culture[http://www.festivalinternacionaldelacultura.com] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130530072257/http://festivalinternacionaldelacultura.com/|date=2013-05-30}}
• Holy Week (Semana Santa){{cite web|url=http://www.tunja.gov.co/?idcategoria=5166|title=Semana Santa|website=Tunja.gov.co|access-date=2010-04-17|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707053255/http://www.tunja.gov.co/?idcategoria=5166|archive-date=2011-07-07}}
• Aguinaldo Boyacense{{cite web |url=http://www.tunja.gov.co/?idcategoria=7440 |title=Aguinaldo Boyacense La Fiesta Grande de Boyacá para Colombia |website=Tunja.gov.co |access-date=2010-04-17 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707053300/http://www.tunja.gov.co/?idcategoria=7440 |archive-date=2011-07-07 }}

Main places of interest are:

• El Cid
• El Virrey
• Teatro Boyacá
• Cinema Boyacá

Unicentro is a shopping center that features a Jumbo and a Cinemark Theatres among many other stores.

Viva, a brand of Shopping Centers of Grupo Éxito.

• Plaza de Mercado del Norte
• Plaza de Mercado del Sur

Relative to its small size, Tunja has been important in providing education. A large part of its population are students between high school and university.

Tunja has a considerable number of colleges, among these is the College of Boyacá, the first public school in the territories of Venezuela, Ecuador, Panama and Colombia, established when these countries were part of Gran Colombia. It was founded on 20 October 1822 by Vice President Francisco de Paula Santander. Among the most important schools are:

• Colegio de Boyacá
• Institucion Educativa San Jeronimo Emiliani
• Colegio Salesiano Maldonado
• Colegio INEM Carlos Arturo Torres
• Colegio de la Presentación
• Gimnasio Campestre del Norte.
• Colegio Municipal Silvino Rodríguez
• Escuela Normal Superior Santiago de Tunja.
• Escuela Normal Femenina "Leonor Álvarez Pinzón"
• Colegio Los Angeles
• Colegio Militar Juan José Rondón
• Colegio de Nuestra Señora del Rosario
• Colegio Gustavo Rojas Pinilla
• Colegio Andino
• Colegio American School Saint Frances
• Country Bilingual School

Tunja's major university, the Pedagogical and Technological University of Colombia (Uptc), was founded by General Gustavo Rojas Pinilla, and is one of the public universities in Colombia.

Other universities are:

• University of Boyaca
• Universidad Santo Tomás
• Escuela Superior de Administración Pública E.S.A.P.
• Universidad Nacional Abierta y a Distancia (UNAD)
• Fundacion Universitaria Juan de Castellanos
• Corporación Universitaria Remington (CUR-Cread Boyacá)
• Universidad Antonio Nariño
• Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana de Colombia
• Instituto Universitario de la Música y las Artes

The city has two professional football teams: Boyacá Chico and Patriotas F.C. The teams play in the Colombian Professional Football A league. They play their games at La Independencia Stadium in the north of the city.

The stadium was rebuilt for the Copa Libertadores 2009, expanding capacity to 20,630 spectators and meeting FIFA specifications.

The city organized the 2008 South American U-20 Futsal Cup in which Brazil was awarded as the championship. Colombia secured the fourth position in the tournament.

The city has a professional basketball team called Patriotas that plays in the Saludcoop Invitational Cup. This team plays its matches in the Municipality Colosseum that has a capacity of up to 5,000 spectators.

== Born in Tunja ==

• Jair Bernal, former professional cyclist
• Iván Casas, professional cyclist
• Francisca Josefa de la Concepción, Criollo nun
• Pedro Antonio Herrera, professional cyclist
• José Ibáñez, former professional cyclist
• Diego Molano Vega, politician
• Gustavo Nieto Roa, film director
• Juan Carlos Pinzón, ambassador of Colombia to the United States
• Gustavo Rojas Pinilla, former president of Colombia
• Diego de Torres y Moyachoque, 16th century mestizo cacique of Turmequé

• {{BRA}}: São Paulo
• {{ECU}}: Guayaquil
• {{FIN}}: Jyväskylä
• {{IRL}}: Dublin
• {{ITA}}: Catania
• {{ITA}}: Potenza{{cite web|url=http://www.boyaca.gov.co/?idcategoria=3702&download=Y|title=Gobernación de Boyacá|website=Boyaca.gov.co|access-date=25 November 2017}} (2009)
• {{MEX}}: Tapachula
• {{PER}}: Juliaca
• {{ESP}}: Cádiz
• {{ESP}}: Málaga (2013)
• {{ESP}}: Sevilla
• {{ESP}}: Toledo (2013)
• {{COL}}: Pamplona{{cite web |url=http://www.tunja.gov.co/?idcategoria=15278 |title=Archived copy |access-date=2013-09-29 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130929162531/http://www.tunja.gov.co/?idcategoria=15278 |archive-date=2013-09-29 }} (2012)
• {{COL}}: Popayán (2012)
• {{COL}}: San Juan de Pasto
• {{COL}}: Valledupar{{cite web|url=http://losninosvallenatos.com/v3/?p=319|title=Los Niños Vallenatos del "Turco" Gil - Nacimos para alegrar al mundo|website=Losninosvallenatos.com|access-date=25 November 2017}}

{{Reflist}}

{{commons category|Tunja}}

• {{in lang|es}} [http://www.excelsio.net/ News from Tunja at Excelsio]
• {{in lang|es}} [http://www.mitunja.net/ News from Tunja at Mi Tunja.net]

{{Municipalities boyaca department}}

{{Treasures of Colombia}}

{{Muisca topics|state=collapsed}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Municipalities of Boyacá Department

Category:Populated places established in 1539

Category:Capitals of Colombian departments

Category:1539 establishments in the Spanish Empire

Category:Populated places of the Muisca Confederation