Boyacá Department, Administrative department in eastern Colombia
Boyacá Department is an administrative region in eastern Colombia that spreads across the Eastern Cordillera mountain range and includes valleys and high plateaus. The territory connects over one hundred municipalities and is governed from Tunja, which serves as its political and economic center.
The Battle of Boyacá in 1819 brought independence to much of South America when Simón Bolívar defeated Spanish troops here. This confrontation took place near the bridge of Boyacá and changed the course of colonial history fundamentally.
The Department preserves the heritage of the ancient Muisca civilization through archaeological sites, traditional crafts, and indigenous language influences in local names.
Roads connect the various towns and settlements, with main routes passing through Tunja and providing access to remote areas. The terrain can be cool at higher elevations, so warm clothing is advisable for visits to the mountains.
Lake Tota sits at more than 3000 meters (about 10,000 feet) above sea level and is the largest natural lake in Colombia. Fishermen use traditional reed boats that have navigated the cold waters of this Andean lake for centuries.
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