Charalá is a town and municipality in the south of the department of Santander in northeastern Colombia. Its antipode is located within the capital of Indonesia, Jakarta.[2]

Charalá
Municipality and town
Central square and park Charalá
Central square and park Charalá
Flag of Charalá
Official seal of Charalá
Location of the municipality and town of Charalá in the Santander Department of Colombia
Location of the municipality and town of Charalá in the Santander Department of Colombia
Country Colombia
DepartmentSantander Department
ProvinceGuanentá Province
Founded23 July 1540
Founded byMartín Galeano
Government
 • MayorEdilsón Arenas Silva
(2020-2023)
Area
 • Municipality and town411 km2 (159 sq mi)
 • Urban
0.7 km2 (0.3 sq mi)
Elevation
1,290 m (4,230 ft)
Population
 (2015)
 • Municipality and town10,540
 • Density26/km2 (66/sq mi)
 • Urban
5,791
 [1]
Time zoneUTC-5 (Colombia Standard Time)
WebsiteOfficial website

The municipality borders the municipalities Encino and Coromoro in the east, Oiba, Confines and Suaita in the west, Páramo, Ocamonte and Mogotes in the north and in the south Gámbita and Duitama, the latter in the department of Boyacá.[3]

Climate edit

Charalá has a tropical rainforest climate (Köppen: Af) with consistent temperatures, cool nights, and abundant rainfall.

Climate data for Charalá (1991–2020)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 29.56
(85.21)
29.81
(85.66)
29.38
(84.88)
28.79
(83.82)
28.58
(83.44)
28.44
(83.19)
28.61
(83.50)
28.82
(83.88)
28.78
(83.80)
28.46
(83.23)
28.4
(83.1)
28.79
(83.82)
28.87
(83.97)
Daily mean °C (°F) 22.21
(71.98)
22.29
(72.12)
21.9
(71.4)
21.79
(71.22)
21.95
(71.51)
21.88
(71.38)
21.82
(71.28)
21.85
(71.33)
21.92
(71.46)
21.79
(71.22)
21.87
(71.37)
22.08
(71.74)
21.95
(71.51)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 15.69
(60.24)
15.84
(60.51)
16.31
(61.36)
16.66
(61.99)
16.91
(62.44)
16.75
(62.15)
16.25
(61.25)
16.09
(60.96)
16.19
(61.14)
16.56
(61.81)
16.91
(62.44)
16.41
(61.54)
16.38
(61.48)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 109.84
(4.32)
160.84
(6.33)
250.99
(9.88)
319.17
(12.57)
293.77
(11.57)
173.93
(6.85)
156.11
(6.15)
196.77
(7.75)
245.1
(9.65)
336.99
(13.27)
275.91
(10.86)
154.9
(6.10)
2,674.3
(105.29)
Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm) 10.17 11.95 18.52 20.84 21.99 17.04 17.09 17.54 19.61 22.81 19.92 12.63 210.1
Source: NOAA[4]

Etymology edit

The name Charalá is Chibcha, the language of the Muisca and was given to honour the Guane cacique of the village; "Chalala".[3]

History edit

Before the arrival of the Spanish in the area, the Santander department was inhabited by the Guane. Charalá was located at the border of Guane territory and the Muisca Confederation of which it formed an independent unity.

Modern Charalá was founded by one of the conquistadors who was part in the Spanish conquest of the Muisca; Martín Galeano, on July 23, 1540.[3]

Economy edit

Main economical activities in the municipality are agriculture (coffee, sugar cane and maize) and marble mining.[3]

Born in Charalá edit

Trivia edit

Gallery edit

References edit

  1. ^ (in Spanish) 2015 DANE population Charalá
  2. ^ "Antipodes Map - Antipodal location for any map point". Solution Realm Software Inc. 2006. Archived from the original on 6 November 2012. Retrieved 3 November 2012.
  3. ^ a b c d (in Spanish) Official website Charalá
  4. ^ "World Meteorological Organization Climate Normals for 1991-2020 — Charalá". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
  5. ^ Andinobates virolinensis

6°15′N 73°05′W / 6.250°N 73.083°W / 6.250; -73.083