Pachavita

Municipality and town in Boyacá Department, Colombia

Flag

Location of the municipality and town of Pachavita in Boyacá

Coordinates: 5°08′N 73°24′W / 5.133°N 73.400°W / 5.133; -73.400Country

ColombiaDepartmentBoyacá DepartmentProvinceNeira ProvinceFounded17 November 1716Government

• MayorJosé Fernando Roa Orjuela
(2020-2023)Area

• Municipality and town68 km² (26 sq mi)Elevation

1,985 m (6,512 ft)Population

(2015)

• Municipality and town2,508 • Urban

395Time zoneUTC-5 (Colombia Standard Time)WebsiteOfficial website

Pachavita is a town and municipality in the Neira Province, part of the Colombian department of Boyacá. The urban centre is situated on the Altiplano Cundiboyacense at an altitude of 1,985 metres (6,512 ft) and at a distance of 85 kilometres (53 mi) from the department capital Tunja. The municipality borders Chinavita in the north, Tenza and La Capilla in the south, Garagoa in the east and Úmbita in the west.^[1]

Etymology

The name Pachavita is derived from Chibcha; pacha = man, lord and vita = point, summit, peak; "Peak of the man".^[1] Another meaning is "Proud chief".^[2]

History

Before the arrival of the Spanish conquistadores, the area of Pachavita was part of the loose Muisca Confederation. The Muisca had different rulers and the zaque of Hunza ruled over Pachavita.

Modern Pachavita was founded on November 17, 1716.^[1]