Tenza Valley
Tenza Valley | |
---|---|
Floor elevation | 395–2,095 m (1,296–6,873 ft) |
Geology | |
Type | Valley |
Geography | |
Location | Eastern Ranges |
Country | Colombia |
State | Cundinamarca, Boyacá |
Population centers | |
Coordinates | 5°05′00″N 73°25′00″W / 5.08333°N 73.41667°W |
River | Lengupá |
The Tenza Valley (
Etymology
The Tenza Valley is named after Tenza which means in Chibcha: "Behind the mouth" or "Going down at night".[1]
Geography and geology
The Tenza Valley is situated in the Eastern Ranges of the Colombian Andes at altitudes between approximately 2,100 metres (6,900 ft) in the northwest and 400 metres (1,300 ft) in the southeast. The
History
The Tenza Valley was inhabited by the Muisca before the
Archaeologist Juanita Sáenz Samper has discovered three agricultural terraces and five cemeteries hosting one grave and pertaining to pre-Columbian times. The research in the Tenza Valley has also uncovered typical grey ceramics of the area, called Valle de Tenza Gris.[7]
Modern times
The Chivor Reservoir, producing 8% of Colombia's hydroelectric energy, is located in the Tenza Valley.[6] Despite the pleasant climate compared to the colder regions of Boyacá, the Tenza Valley is not touristic.[4]
Economy
The temperate climate of the Tenza Valley allows for a variety in agriculture. Main products cultivated are
In terms of mining, the emerald mines of Chivor and Somondoco are important. Coal mines and gold extraction form another part of the mining business in the valley. Salt is mined on a minor scale in Sutatenza and gypsum is exploited in Macanal.
Municipalities in the Tenza Valley
Municipality | Department | Ruler(s) | Altitude urban centre (m) |
Surface area (km2) |
Remarks | Map |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Tenza | Boyacá | cacique | 1600 | 51 | Namesake of the valley | |
Almeida | Boyacá | zaque
|
1925 | 57.98 | Hydroelectric plant of the Chivor Reservoir | |
La Capilla | Boyacá | zaque
|
1750 | 57.26 | ||
Chinavita | Boyacá | zaque
|
1763 | 148 | ||
Chivor | Boyacá | cacique | 1800 | 108.36 | Important emerald mines | |
Garagoa
|
Boyacá | zaque
|
1650 | 191.75 | Seat of the Diocese (Catholic Church) | |
Guateque | Boyacá | cacique | 1815 | 36.04 | ||
Guayatá | Boyacá | cacique | 1767 | 112 | Famous for its bread rolls (mogollas) | |
Macanal | Boyacá | zaque
|
1680 | 199.5 | Gypsum mining | |
Pachavita | Boyacá | zaque
|
1985 | 68 | ||
Somondoco | Boyacá | zaque
|
1670 | 58.7 | Emerald mines | |
Sutatenza | Boyacá | zaque
|
1890 | 41.26 | Minor salt mining | |
Manta | Cundinamarca | cacique | 1924 | 105 | Possible birthplace of Jorge Eliécer Gaitán, assassinated in 1948 |
|
Machetá | Cundinamarca | zaque
|
2094 | 229.35 | ||
Tibiritá | Cundinamarca | zaque
|
1980 | 57.2 | ||
Santa María | Boyacá | Tegua | 850 | 326.44 | ||
San Luis de Gaceno | Boyacá | Tegua | 395 | 458.5 |
See also
- Eastern Hills
- Muisca
- Altiplano Cundiboyacense, Bogotá savanna, Tegua, Colombian emeralds
References
- ^ (in Spanish) Etymology Tenza - Excelsio.net
- ^ (in Spanish) El Valle de Tenza, tesoro natural en el Piedemonte Llanero
- ^ (in Spanish) El Valle de Tenza, destino turístico para todos - El Tiempo
- ^ a b (in Spanish) Valle de Tenza, tesoro entre montañas - El Espectador
- ^ (in Spanish) Muisca people - Pueblos Originarios
- ^ a b (in Spanish) Principales valles de Boyacá
- ^ (in Spanish) Investigacíon arqueológica en el bajo Valle de Tenza, Boyacá
Further reading
- Lleras Pérez, Roberto. 1989. Arqueología del alto Valle de Tenza - Archaeology of the upper Tenza Valley, 1–148. Banco de la República. Accessed 2016-07-08.
External links
- (in Spanish) Cycling route in the Tenza Valley
- (in Spanish) Video of the Tenza Valley