Macanal is a town and municipality in the Colombian Department of Boyacá, part of the subregion of the Neira Province. The urban centre is located in the Tenza Valley in the Eastern Ranges of the Colombian Andes at an elevation of 1680.3 m but parts of the municipality reach elevations of 2500 m. It borders Campohermoso in the east, Almeida in the west, Garagoa in the north and in the south Santa María and Chivor.

Etymology

The name Macanal is either derived from the Chibcha word Macana, meaning garrote, or from the Macana palm tree (Wettinia kalbreyeri).

History

The area of Macanal was part of the Muisca Confederation, a loose confederation of different rulers of the Muisca. The zaque of Hunza ruled over Macanal. Modern Macanal was founded on May 4, 1807.

Geology

The Macanal Formation, an organic shale, outcrops near and has been named after Macanal.

Economy

Main economical activities of Macanal are agriculture; coffee (Coffea arabica), bananas, maize, beans (Phaseolus vulgaris), yuca, sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum), arracacha (Arracacia xanthorrhiza), avocadoes, papayas, mangoes, guayaba and cucumbers (Cucumis sativus and Cyclanthera pedata), livestock farming and mining (gypsum and emeralds).

Climate

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