Onzaga Explained

Onzaga
Settlement Type:Municipality and town
Mapsize:250px
Pushpin Mapsize:300
Pushpin Map Caption:Location in Colombia
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name: Colombia
Subdivision Type1:Department
Subdivision Name1:Santander Department
Subdivision Type2:Province
Subdivision Name2:Guanentá
Leader Title:Mayor
Leader Name:Hernán Eduardo Sanabria Aponte
(2016-2019)
Established Title:Founded
Established Date:31 March 1602
Area Total Km2:486.76
Area Urban Km2:0.4031
Population As Of:2015
Population Total:5054
Population Density Km2:auto
Population Urban:1229
Timezone:Colombia Standard Time
Utc Offset:-5
Elevation M:1960
Website:Official website

Onzaga (pronounced as /es/) is a town and municipality in the Santander Department in northeastern Colombia. Onzaga borders in the north San Joaquín, in the east and south the municipalities Soatá, Covarachía, Tipacoque and Tutazá of the department of Boyacá and in the west with Coromoro. Onzaga is 177km (110miles) south of the department capital Bucaramanga. The topography of Onzaga varies greatly; from 900m (3,000feet) to 3600m (11,800feet).[1]

History

The area around Onzaga was inhabited by the Muisca and Onzaga was the northernmost village of their Muisca Confederation. To the north and west the Guanes populated the lower lands. When the Spanish conquistadores arrived in the central highlands of Colombia, they found indigenous peoples expert in gold working and crafts. Onzaga was famous for its wool and cotton production as well as the elaboration of the mantles.[1]

Onzaga was ruled by the cacique of Duitama, called Tundama. The name is possibly derived from a cacique of Onzaga who was called Hunzaá (not to be confused with Hunzahúa, the first zaque of Hunza (now called Tunja)).[1]

Modern Onzaga was founded on March 31, 1602.[1]

Economy

Main economical activities of Onzaga are the production of textile, shoes, liquor and agriculture (coffee, fique, maize, beans, sugar cane and yuca). Other primary industry are livestock farming and poultry farming.[1]

References

6.35°N -121°W

Notes and References

  1. Official website - accessed 03-05-2016