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Duitama () is a city and municipality in the department of Boyacá. It's the capital of the Tundama Province. Duitama is located northeast of Bogotá, the capital of Colombia and northeast of Tunja, the capital of Boyacá. Official website Duitama In 2023 Duitama had an estimated population of 131,591.
The name of Duitama means "to me the tribute" in muyskkubun (Muisca language).http://www.duitama-boyaca.gov.co/?idcategoria=1987 Nombre de Duitama In its beginnings, Duitama corresponded to a Muisca village ruled by the cacique Tundama, a word that changed for Duitama, absolute and powerful lord that he had as bosses tributaries to the Onzaga, Soatá, Chitagoto, Susacón or Cabita, Icabuco, Lupachoque, Sativanorte, Tutazá and Cerinza caciques. The natives lived in bohíos, looking for the heights of the plain of the Indians, Tigua, today hills of La Milagrosa, Cargua, La Tolosa, San José (La Alacranera) and Tocogua.
Duitama is known as "The Pearl of Boyacá".
Duitama's climate is subtropical oceanic highland being cool and overcast over the course of the year. The temperature typically varies from 7 °C (45 °F) to 19 °C (67 °F) and is rarely below 4 °C (39 °F) or above 21 °C (70 °F). Sometimes Duitama has reached sub-zero temperatures such as -2,7 °C (27 °F).
The Tundama ruled over the villages of Onzaga, Soatá, Chitagoto, Susacón, Icabuco, Lupachoque, Sativasur, Tutazá and Cerinza. The Tundama lived on the hill currently called La Tolosa.
In 1536, Spanish conquistador Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada set foot from the Caribbean coastal city of Santa Marta towards the inner highlands of then unexplored Colombia with an army of 800 men. After conquering the southern areas of the Muisca, accessed from the shores of the Magdalena River he and a reduced number of troops marched towards the northern Muisca territories. He first submitted Hunza, the seat of the zaque and in September 1537 he arrived in Sogamoso, sacred City of the Sun where his soldiers burned the Sun Temple. Biography Cacique Tundama - Pueblos Originarios Iraca rulers - Pueblos Originarios
The cacique Tundama heard about the invading foreigners and tried to win time while hiding his treasures from the Spanish. One of his men proposed to surrender to the soldiers armed with superior weapons, and Tundama cut off his ears and left hand.
At the end of 1539, another Spanish conquistador who proved himself in the Kingdom of Quito and Peru, Baltasar Maldonado, entered the Tundama territories and after several battles Tundama surrendered to the Spanish rule. Tundama was killed by a hammer of Maldonado in late December 1539.
Modern Duitama was not founded until 1819, before Simón Bolívar liberated the later state of Gran Colombia from the Spanish rule.
== Gallery ==
Tundama in Muisca history
Colonial period
During the colonial period of the newly established state New Kingdom of Granada, Duitama was converted to catholicism by of Santo Domingo, arriving in 1556. They held their positions until 1775.
Modern age
Duitama was an agricultural community that grew after the installation of the train station in 1923 and the connection with the Colombian capital via highway. From 1950 onwards the city hosted more industry.
International events
In 1995, Duitama was the second city in Latin America to host the UCI Road World Championships. The first city to host that event was San Cristóbal, Venezuela in 1977.
Tourism
In Duitama the touristic village Pueblito Boyacense is a popular destination. The village is composed of colonial houses.
Born in Duitama
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