Cuítiva


Cuítiva is a town and municipality in the Sugamuxi Province, part of the Colombian department of Boyacá. The urban centre is situated on the Altiplano Cundiboyacense at an altitude of and a distance of from the department capital Tunja. The altitudes of the municipality range from to and it borders Iza in the north, Sogamoso in the east, Aquitania in the west and Tota in the south.

Etymology

The name Cuítiva is derived from Muysccubun and means "Similarity to the chief".

History

The area of Cuítiva before the Spanish conquest was inhabited by the Muisca, organized in their loose Muisca Confederation. Nearby iraca of Sugamuxi ruled over Cuítiva.
Modern Cuítiva was founded by Juan de San Martín on January 19, 1550.
On the central square a monument honouring messenger god in the religion of the Muisca; Bochica has been erected.

Economy

Main economical activities of Cuítiva are agriculture; potatoes, peas, wheat, maize and Welsh onions and livestock farming.