Fosca, Cundinamarca Explained

Fosca
Settlement Type:Municipality and town
Mapsize:250px
Pushpin Map:Colombia
Pushpin Mapsize:250
Pushpin Map Caption:Location in Colombia
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name: Colombia
Subdivision Type1:Department
Subdivision Type2:Province
Subdivision Name2:Eastern Province
Leader Title:Mayor
Leader Name:Milton Albino Barbosa Rey
(2016–2019)
Established Title:Founded
Established Date:uncertain
Founder:uncertain, see text
Area Total Km2:126.02
Area Urban Km2:0.19
Population As Of:2015
Population Total:7524
Population Density Km2:auto
Population Urban:1916
Coordinates:4.3333°N -129°W
Timezone:Colombia Standard Time
Utc Offset:-5
Elevation M:2080
Website:Official website

Fosca is a municipality and town of Colombia in the Eastern Province, part of the department of Cundinamarca. It is located in the Ubaque Valley with the urban centre at a distance of 62km (39miles) from the capital Bogotá at an altitude of 2080m (6,820feet). Fosca borders Cáqueza and Une in the north, Quetame in the east, Guayabetal in the south and Gutiérrez in the west.[1]

History

In the time before the Spanish conquest, Fosca was inhabited by the Mau or Maco and Guaypi or Buchipa indigenous tribe.[1] The Muisca, living north from the area, had a fortification of guecha warriors stationed in Fosca to defend themselves from the Guayupe people who inhabited the region south of Fosca.[2]

About the discovery and foundation of Fosca three different versions are given; Nikolaus Federmann would have founded the town on September 1, 1538, captain Pedro de Limpias reached and discovered Fosca on his expedition from the Llanos Orientales on February 5, 1538, or Juan de Valcárcel passed through the area and moved the town centre to a different location on February 5, 1627.[1]

Economy

The economy of Fosca is concentrated around agriculture and livestock farming. Main agricultural products cultivated are maize, potatoes, coffee, arracacha, beans and peas.[1]

Notes and References

  1. Official website Fosca
  2. Rodríguez Montes, 2002, p.1639