Colombian department Boyacá

Boyacá is one of the 32 departments of Colombia. Located in the East of the country, and its capital is Tunja. Its creation dates back to the constitutional reform of the Granadine Confederation on May 22 of 1858. Its territory occupies an area of 23.102 km², an area similar to the island of Sardinia.

In the boyacense territory fought decisive battles for the independence of Colombia. For this reason, the liberator Simon Bolivar called it "Cradle and workshop of freedom" and in his honor was created the 1819. Orden de Boyaca. Boyaca is named from the muisca word "Bojaca", meaning "Region of la Manta Real" or "Enclosure of the chieftain", which is etymologically derived from the words boy (blanket) and ca (fencing). This name was given to the Department in 1821 by the Congress of Cúcuta named after the river which is the bridge where the most decisive battle for the independence of Colombia was fought.