Betéitiva

Betéitiva
Municipality and town

Chapel of Betéitiva

Flag

Location of the municipality and town of Beteitiva in the Boyacá department of Colombia
Country  Colombia
Department Boyacá Department
Province Valderrama Province
Founded 14 October 1556
Founded by Juan Salamanca
Government
  Mayor Luís Enrique Gil
(2016-2019)
Area
  Municipality and town 123 km2 (47 sq mi)
  Urban 6 km2 (2 sq mi)
Elevation 2,575 m (8,448 ft)
Population (2015)
  Municipality and town 2,069
  Density 17/km2 (44/sq mi)
  Urban 389
Time zone Colombia Standard Time (UTC-5)
Website Official website

Betéitiva (Spanish pronunciation: [beˈteitiβa]) a town and municipality in the Valderrama Province, part of the Colombian department of Boyacá. The urban centre of Betétiva is situated at 250 kilometres (160 mi) from the capital Bogotá, 110 kilometres (68 mi) from the department capital Tunja and 45 kilometres (28 mi) from Sogamoso. The municipality, located on the Altiplano Cundiboyacense, borders in the north Belén, in the northeast Paz de Río, in the east Tasco, in the southeast Corrales and in the west with Busbanzá and Cerinza.[1]

Etymology

The name Betéitiva is derived from the Chibcha name of the cacique Betacín of the village and means "chief of the anchovy". According to Muisca myths, Betacín fell in love with the daughter of the iraca of Sugamuxi and after her dismissal he retreated in the area now known as Betéitiva.[1][2]

History

The area of Betéitiva before the Spanish conquest was inhabited by the Muisca, organized in their loose Muisca Confederation. Different rulers were reigning the central highlands of the Colombian Andes and Betéitiva was ruled by cacique Betacín.

Modern Betéitiva was founded on October 14, 1556 by Juan Salamanca.[1]

Economy

Potatoes and dairy farming are the most important economical activities of the municipality.[1]

References

Coordinates: 5°55′N 72°49′W / 5.917°N 72.817°W / 5.917; -72.817

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 10/14/2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.