La Calera, Cundinamarca

La Calera
Municipality and town

La Calera viewed from a mountain to the west, just before a storm

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Location of the municipality and town of La Calera in Colombia
La Calera

Location in Colombia

Coordinates: 4°45′11″N 73°55′12″W / 4.75306°N 73.92000°W / 4.75306; -73.92000Coordinates: 4°45′11″N 73°55′12″W / 4.75306°N 73.92000°W / 4.75306; -73.92000
Country  Colombia
Department Cundinamarca
Province Guavio Province
Founded 16 December 1772
Founded by Pedro de Tovar y Buendía
Government
  Mayor Ana Lucía Escobar Vargas
(2016-2019)
Area
  Municipality and town 317 km2 (122 sq mi)
  Urban 1.44 km2 (0.56 sq mi)
Elevation 2,718 m (8,917 ft)
Population (2015)
  Municipality and town 27,527
  Density 87/km2 (220/sq mi)
  Urban 11,849
Time zone Colombia Standard Time (UTC-5)
Website Official website

La Calera is a municipality and town of Colombia in the Guavio Province, part of the department of Cundinamarca. La Calera is a common tourist destination as it is approximately 18 kilometres (11 mi) over land from Bogotá, the capital city of Colombia. La Calera is located in the Eastern Ranges of the Colombian Andes, east of the capital and overlooking part of it. La Calera borders Guasca, Sopó and Chía in the north, Guasca in the east, Bogotá in the west and Choachí and Bogotá in the south.[1]

Etymology

The name of the town is derived from the limestone mine, called calera.[1]

History

The area of La Calera was before the Spanish conquest inhabited by the Muisca. La Calera, just behind the mountains bordering Bacatá was ruled by the zipa based in the southern capital.

Modern La Calera was founded on December 16, 1772 by Pedro de Tovar y Buendía.[1]

Economy

Main economical activity in La Calera is cement mining. The geological formation outcropping in the municipality is the Guaduas Formation.[1]

Born in La Calera

References

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