Tocancipá

Tocancipá (Spanish pronunciation: [tokansiˈpa]) is a municipality and town of Colombia in the Central Savanna Province, part of the department of Cundinamarca. Tocancipá is situated in the northern part of the Bogotá savanna, part of the Altiplano Cundiboyacense in the Eastern Ranges of the Colombian Andes with the urban centre at an altitude of 2,605 metres (8,547 ft). The capital Bogotá, which metropolitan area includes Tocancipá, is 42 kilometres (26 mi) to the south. Tocancipá borders Gachancipá and Nemocón in the north, Zipaquirá in the west, Guasca and Guatavita in the east and Guasca and Sopó in the south.[1]

Tocancipá
Municipality and town
Church tower of Tocancipá
Flag
Etymology: Muysccubun:
"Valley of the joys of the zipa"
Location of the municipality and town inside Cundinamarca Department of Colombia
Tocancipá
Location in Colombia
Coordinates: 4°57′56.7″N 73°54′48.9″W
Country Colombia
Department Cundinamarca
ProvinceCentral Savanna Province
Founded21 September 1593
Founded byMiguel de Ibarra
Government
 • MayorWalfrando Adolfo Forero Bejarano
(2016-2019)
Area
 • Municipality and town73.51 km2 (28.38 sq mi)
 • Urban
0.62 km2 (0.24 sq mi)
Elevation
2,605 m (8,547 ft)
Population
 (2015)
 • Municipality and town31,975
 • Density430/km2 (1,100/sq mi)
 • Urban
13,618
Time zoneUTC-5 (Colombia Standard Time)
WebsiteOfficial website

Etymology

The name Tocancipá comes from Muysccubun and means "Valley of the joys of the zipa".[1]

History

The area of Tocancipá was inhabited early in the history of inhabitation of the Altiplano. The archaeological site Tibitó is located within the boundaries of Tocancipá and evidence of inhabitation has been dated to 11,740 ± 110 years BP.[2] At the time of arrival of the Spanish conquistadores in 1537, Tocancipá was part of the Muisca Confederation, a loose confederation of different rulers of the Muisca. The zipa of Bacatá ruled over Tocancipá.

Modern Tocancipá was founded on September 21, 1593 by Miguel de Ibarra.[1]

Tourism

Jaime Duque Park, a family-oriented amusement park, is located in Tocancipá. The town also hosts the Autódromo de Tocancipá, a race track where vintage and GT races are held.

  • Tree on central square
  • Entrance of Jaime Duque Park
  • Replica Taj Mahal in Jaime Duque Park
  • Statue of a miner
  • Autódromo de Tocancipá

References
  1. (in Spanish) Official website Tocancipá
  2. Aceituno & Rojas, 2012, p.127

Bibliography
  • Aceituno Bocanegra, Francisco Javier; Rojas Mora, Sneider (2012). "Del Paleoindio al Formativo: 10.000 años para la historia de la tecnología lítica en Colombia" [From the Paleoindian to the Formative [Stage]: 10,000 years for the history of lithic technology in Colombia] (PDF). Boletín de Antropología (in Spanish). University of Antioquia. 28 (43): 124–156. ISSN 0120-2510.
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