Sumapaz

For other uses, see Sumapaz (disambiguation).

Sumapaz

Area:	727.44 km²
Population   density :	140,000 (2005 est.) 192.45 people/km²
Type of locality:	Rural

Sumapaz is the 20th locality of Bogotá, capital of Colombia. It is the largest of Bogotá's 20 localities, beginning from the north at the edge of the urban frontier and running south to the Cundinamarca border with Meta and Huila. It is completely rural, with no city services. The locality is administered from the Carvajal district of Bogotá.

History

The area was an important pilgrimage site for the Muisca indigenous peoples in pre-Columbian times, as the goddess Bachue was believed to be submerged in Iguaque lake. In the 16th century, it was discovered by Nicolás de Federman on his journey to El Dorado.

It has been the stage for several rural conflicts, including those of 1928 and 1946. La Violencia of 1948 gave rise to the formation of the guerilla groups still present in Colombia. At the beginning of the 21st century, the Colombian army took the territory from guerilla hands as part of a counter-guerilla strategy of President Álvaro Uribe.

Economy

The population is dependent on small-scale farming and livestock.

General Information

Borders

North: The localities of Usme and Ciudad Bolívar.
East: The municipalities of Une and Gutiérrez and the department of Meta.
South: The border of Cundinamarca and Huila departments.
West: The municipalities of Cabrera, Vencecia, San Bernardo, Arbeláez, and Pasca.

Hydrology

Within the borders of the locality, several rivers are formed—mostly within Sumapaz National Park. The two largest rivers are the Pilar and Sumapaz, the latter emptying into the Magdalena River.

Points of Interest

• Sumapaz National Park
• Ecoparque Chinauta

External links

• Template:Es icon Video about Sumapaz
• Template:Es icon National University of Colombia site about Sumapaz