Cuítiva is a town and municipality in the Sugamuxi Province, part of the Colombian department of Boyacá. The urban centre is situated on the Altiplano Cundiboyacense at an altitude of 2,750 metres (9,020 ft) and a distance of 85 kilometres (53 mi) from the department capital Tunja. The altitudes of the municipality range from 2,727 metres (8,947 ft) to 3,200 metres (10,500 ft) and it borders Iza in the north, Sogamoso in the east, Aquitania in the west and Tota in the south.[1]

Cuítiva
Municipality and town
Church of Cuítiva
Church of Cuítiva
Flag of Cuítiva
Location of the municipality and town of Cuítiva in the Boyacá Department of Colombia
Location of the municipality and town of Cuítiva in the Boyacá Department of Colombia
Country Colombia
DepartmentBoyacá Department
ProvinceSugamuxi Province
Founded19 January 1550
Founded byJuan de San Martín
Government
 • MayorSegundo Aldemar Toca Suárez
(2020-2023)
Area
 • Municipality and town43 km2 (17 sq mi)
 • Urban
3.6 km2 (1.4 sq mi)
Elevation
2,750 m (9,020 ft)
Population
 (2015)
 • Municipality and town1,906
 • Density44/km2 (110/sq mi)
 • Urban
218
Time zoneUTC-5 (Colombia Standard Time)
WebsiteOfficial website

Etymology

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The name Cuítiva is derived from Muysccubun and means "Similarity to the chief".[2]

History

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The area of Cuítiva before the Spanish conquest was inhabited by the Muisca, organized in their loose Muisca Confederation. Nearby iraca of Sugamuxi ruled over Cuítiva.

Modern Cuítiva was founded by Juan de San Martín on January 19, 1550.[1]

On the central square a monument honouring messenger god in the religion of the Muisca; Bochica has been erected.

Economy

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Main economical activities of Cuítiva are agriculture; potatoes, peas, wheat, maize and Welsh onions and livestock farming.[1]

Climate

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Climate data for Cuítiva (Tunel El), elevation 3,000 m (9,800 ft), (1981–2010)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 16.9
(62.4)
16.8
(62.2)
17.0
(62.6)
16.3
(61.3)
15.8
(60.4)
14.9
(58.8)
14.5
(58.1)
14.5
(58.1)
15.2
(59.4)
15.7
(60.3)
16.1
(61.0)
16.6
(61.9)
15.8
(60.4)
Daily mean °C (°F) 11.6
(52.9)
11.7
(53.1)
11.8
(53.2)
11.8
(53.2)
11.8
(53.2)
11.4
(52.5)
10.9
(51.6)
10.9
(51.6)
11.2
(52.2)
11.4
(52.5)
11.6
(52.9)
11.8
(53.2)
11.5
(52.7)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 6.8
(44.2)
7.3
(45.1)
7.6
(45.7)
8.2
(46.8)
8.5
(47.3)
8.2
(46.8)
7.7
(45.9)
7.7
(45.9)
7.5
(45.5)
7.6
(45.7)
7.9
(46.2)
7.4
(45.3)
7.7
(45.9)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 17.1
(0.67)
30.4
(1.20)
57.2
(2.25)
95.7
(3.77)
87.8
(3.46)
70.1
(2.76)
77.9
(3.07)
58.8
(2.31)
62.5
(2.46)
87.2
(3.43)
81.4
(3.20)
23.9
(0.94)
749.9
(29.52)
Average precipitation days 4 6 11 15 18 18 20 18 16 16 14 8 159
Average relative humidity (%) 80 81 82 85 85 85 85 85 84 85 85 82 84
Mean monthly sunshine hours 241.8 183.5 167.4 132.0 139.5 129.0 139.5 130.2 132.0 145.7 156.0 213.9 1,910.5
Mean daily sunshine hours 7.8 6.5 5.4 4.4 4.5 4.3 4.5 4.2 4.4 4.7 5.2 6.9 5.2
Source: Instituto de Hidrologia Meteorologia y Estudios Ambientales[3]
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References

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  1. ^ a b c (in Spanish) Official website Cuítiva Archived 2015-06-03 at archive.today
  2. ^ (in Spanish) Etymology Cuítiva - Excelsio.net
  3. ^ "Promedios Climatológicos 1981–2010" (in Spanish). Instituto de Hidrologia Meteorologia y Estudios Ambientales. Archived from the original on 15 August 2016. Retrieved 3 June 2024.

5°35′N 72°58′W / 5.583°N 72.967°W / 5.583; -72.967