Tibaná


Tibaná is a town and municipality in the Colombian Department of Boyacá, part of the subregion of Márquez Province. The urban centre of Tibaná is situated on the Altiplano Cundiboyacense at an altitude of and a distance of from the department capital Tunja. It borders Jenesano in the north, Ramiriquí and Chinavita in the east, Chinavita and Úmbita in the south and in the west Turmequé and Nuevo Colón.

Etymology

Tibaná is named after the Tibanaes, a Chibcha-speaking tribe of the Muisca. Tiba means "chief".

History

The area around Tibaná was part of the Muisca Confederation and loyal to the zaque of Hunza. Modern Tibaná was founded early in the Spanish conquest; on October 12, 1537 Spanish conquistador Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada established the village.

Economy

Main economical activity of Tibaná is horticulture and agriculture. Mining is restricted to small-scale operations, mainly coal, gravel and clay.