Boyacá

Department in east-central Colombia; area 23,301 sq km/8,997 sq mi; population (1996) 1,315,579. The capital is Tunja. This area was the centre of the struggle for independence during the 19th century. The department is traversed north to south by the Cordillera Oriental of the Andes. The mountains are rich in mineral resources, primarily iron ore and coal, which enabled the establishment of the nationalized steel works at Paz del Río. Limestone is mined in quantity and hydroelectric power is generated from the many rivers in the region. Emeralds are mined in the department. The eastern part of the department spreads into the tropical lowlands.

The Battle of Boyacá(1819), where Simon Bolívar's anticolonial forces achieved a decisive victory over the Spanish, took place 16 km/10 mi south of Tunja. Once the territory of the native Muiscas Indians, Boyacá was one of the first regions to be explored and settled by the Spanish.