Ventaquemada Padua, La Venta | |
|---|---|
Municipality and town | |
 Church of Ventaquemada | |
.svg) Flag  Seal | |
 Location of the municipality and town of Ventaquemada in the Boyacá Department of Colombia | |
| Coordinates:5°25′N73°30′W / 5.417°N 73.500°W /5.417; -73.500 | |
| Country |  Colombia |
| Department | Boyacá |
| Province | Central Boyacá Province |
| Founded | 17 December 1777 |
| Founded by | Manuel Antonio Flores |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Nelson Bohórquez Otálora (2020-2023) |
| Area | |
• Municipality and town | 159.329 km2 (61.517 sq mi) |
| • Urban | 0.52 km2 (0.20 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 2,630 m (8,630 ft) |
| Population (2015) | |
• Municipality and town | 15,442 |
| • Density | 97/km2 (250/sq mi) |
| • Urban | 2,399 |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Colombia Standard Time) |
| Website | Official website |
Ventaquemada is a town and municipality in theCentral Boyacá Province, part of theColombiandepartment ofBoyacá. Ventaquemada is located at a distance of 98 kilometres (61 mi) from the capitalBogotá and 29 kilometres (18 mi) from the departmental capitalTunja. The urban centre is situated at an altitude of 2,630 metres (8,630 ft) on theAltiplano Cundiboyacense in theEastern Ranges of the ColombianAndes. Ventaquemada borders Tunja andSamacá in the north,Boyacá, Boyacá,Jenesano andNuevo Colón in the east,Turmequé andVillapinzón in the south andGuachetá,Lenguazaque and Villapinzón in the west.[1]
Former names of Ventaquemada are Padua and La Venta, indicating the commercial centre at a strategical location along the road between Bogotá and Tunja, historically the most important cities of the Altiplano. After the burning of the properties of Albarracín, the name Ventaquemada ("burnt sale") was given to the town.[1]
The area of Ventaquemada before theSpanish conquest was populated by theMuisca, who were organised in their looseMuisca Confederation. Ventaquemada was part of the rule of thezaque ofHunza.
Modern Ventaquemada was founded on December 17, 1777, byviceroyManuel Antonio Flórez.[1]
Ventaquemada is close to thePuente de Boyacá, the bridge where the decisiveBattle of Boyacá in the struggle for independence of Colombia was fought. Ventaquemada has a classical colonial house and a statue honouring independence heroSimón Bolívar. The train station of Ventaquemada has long been abandoned.
Main economical activity of Ventaquemada isagriculture;potatoes andmaize are the major products cultivated.[1]
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