Guasca

Guasca is a Colombian town and municipality in the Guavio Province, part of the Cundinamarca Department located approximately 55 km from Bogotá passing through the town of La Calera, Cundinamarca or 65 km passing through Sopó. Guasca borders the municipalities Guatavita in the north, Junín in the east, in the south La Calera and Fómeque and in the west Sopó.[1]

For the plant named Guasca, see Galinsoga parviflora.
Guasca
Municipality and town
View of Guasca from the west
Flag
Location of the municipality and town of Guasca in the Cundinamarca Department of Colombia
Guasca
Location in Colombia
Coordinates: 4°51′57″N 73°52′38″W
Country Colombia
Department Cundinamarca
ProvinceGuavio Province
Founded21 June 1600
Founded byLuis Enríquez
Government
 • MayorMiguel Arturo Garavito Diaz
(2016-2019)
Area
 • Municipality and town346 km2 (134 sq mi)
 • Urban
8.8 km2 (3.4 sq mi)
Elevation
2,710 m (8,890 ft)
Population
 (2015)
 • Municipality and town14,759
 • Density43/km2 (110/sq mi)
 • Urban
5,203
Time zoneUTC-5 (Colombia Standard Time)
WebsiteOfficial website

History

Before the Spanish conquest of the Muisca of the central highlands of the Colombian Andes, the Altiplano Cundiboyacense, the area was inhabited by the Muisca who spoke Chibcha. Guasca was ruled by a cacique who was loyal to the cacique of Guatavita.[1] In the religion of the Muisca, the Siecha Lakes were considered sacred.[2]

Etymology

According to friar and Muisca scholar Bernardo de Lugo the name Guasca is derived from guâ, "mountain range" and shucâ; "skirt". The name thus means "skirt of the mountain range", indicating the position of the village with respect to the Eastern Ranges of the Colombian Andes.[3]

Economy

Main economical activities of Guasca are agriculture; potatoes, carrots, flowers and strawberries and dairy farming.[1]

Tourism

Guasca is known for ecotourism and has access to Chingaza Natural National Park. Other natural areas are Los Encenillos and the Siecha Lakes. One of the oldest hotels and restaurants in the area is Café la Huerta.

Born in Guasca

Trivia
  • The plant Galinsoga parviflora is called "Guasca(s)" in Colombia and an essential ingredient of the soup ajiaco
  • The spiders Anapis guasca,[4] Deinopis guasca,[5] and moth Dognina guasca[6] are found in and named after Guasca
  • Basilica of Saint Hyacinth
  • Basilica of Saint Hyacinth
  • Basilica of Saint Hyacinth by night
  • Street view
  • Siecha chapel
  • Siecha Lakes
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References
  1. (in Spanish) Official website Guasca - accessed 05-05-2016
  2. Ocampo López, Javier (2013). Mitos y leyendas indígenas de Colombia [Indigenous myths and legends of Colombia] (in Spanish). Bogotá, Colombia: Plaza & Janes Editores Colombia S.A. p. 226. ISBN 978-958-14-1416-1.
  3. (in Spanish) Etymology Guasca according to Bernardo de Lugo - accessed 05-05-2016
  4. Data related to Anapis at Wikispecies
  5. Data related to Deinopis at Wikispecies
  6. Data related to Dognina at Wikispecies
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