Zipaquirá

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Zipaquirá
Flag of Zipaquirá
Flag
Location of the town and municipality of Zipaquira in Cundinamarca Department.
Location of the town and municipality of Zipaquira in Cundinamarca Department.
Coordinates: 4°56′50″N 74°2′30″W / 4.94722, -74.04167
Country Colombia
Departamento Cundinamarca
Built July 18, 1600
Government
 - Mayor José E. Caicedo Sastoque
Area
 - Total 194 km² (74.9 sq mi)
Elevation 2,652 m (8,701 ft)
Population (2005)
 - Total 100,589

Censo DANE 2005
Website: http://www.zipaquira.gov.co/

Zipaquirá is a municipality and city of Colombia in the department of Cundinamarca. It limits with the municipalities of Tausa and Cogua the North; Nemocón, Gachancipá and Sopó to the East; Cajicá and Tabio to the South; Subachoque and Pacho to the West, and its municipal head is to 49 kilometers of Santa Fe de Bogotá

In Chibcha, the language of the Muiscas - the indigenous peoples of the area - it meant The Land of the Zipa. The Zipa was the king of this territory.

The town is mostly known for its Salt Cathedral, an underground church built inside a salt mountain in a tunnel made as result of the exploitation of the 'salinas' (salt mines). Zipaquirá has a very interesting architecture, the old center is also a touristic attraction; its main square is surrounded by old buildings of Spanish Colonial style. This small city can be reached by train from Bogotá.

Main plaza Cityhall of Zipaquirá
Main plaza Cityhall of Zipaquirá

[edit] External links

Coordinates: 5°02′N, 74°00′W