Sutatenza is a town and municipality in the Eastern Boyacá Province of the department of Boyacá, Colombia. It is located 125 km from the Colombian capital Bogotá and 118 km from the department capital Tunja. Sutatenza borders Somondoco, Guateque, Tenza and Garagoa.

Etymology

The name Sutatenza comes from Chibcha and means either "Cloud behind the anchovy" or "Descending to the house of the cacique".

History

In the time before the Spanish conquest, Sutatenza, situated in the Tenza Valley to the east of the Altiplano Cundiboyacense, was ruled by a cacique called Tenzuzucá or Tenzucá, loyal to the zaque of Hunza. Conquistador Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada in his quest for El Dorado and the rich emerald deposits of the Muisca Confederation visited Sutatenza in 1537. Modern Sutatenza was not founded until October 22, 1783.

Climate

Sutatenza has a subtropical highland climate (Köppen: Cfb) with mild temperatures and frequent rainfall. A dry season between December and February produces warmer and drier weather.

Economy

Main economical activities of Sutatenza are agriculture and aviculture. A small salt mine is operated in the vereda Salitre.

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