Chia
Department
Cundinamarca, Colombia
Flag of the city
The flag, divided into two horizontal bands with the top being yellow and the bottom green, is an emblem of significance and meaning.
The yellow colour traditionally stands for a plethora of positive attributes. In many cultural contexts, it represents sunshine, happiness, and warmth. In the context of national and regional flags, yellow often symbolizes wealth, as it is reminiscent of gold. This gold refer to both physical wealth, as in natural resources or economic strength, and to spiritual wealth, in terms of cultural heritage, happiness, and the richness of life.
The green, on the other hand, has universal associations with nature and life. It often signifies growth, harmony, freshness, and fertility. Green also has a strong relationship with safety. On the flags of many nations and regions, green is used to represent the environment, lushness of the land, and the hope and future of its people. It can also signify agriculture, reflecting a region’s commitment to farming and producing.
Seal of the city
The emblematic shield of Chía, a municipality in Cundinamarca, Colombia, is rich in symbolism. Its design incorporates a divided layout. The upper right section presents a silver crescent moon set against a black backdrop, celebrating the Chibchas’ reverence for their sacred celestial body, Chíe. On the upper left, a black cross rests behind an open book on a red field, epitomizing the Christian faith and the Spanish language’s influence. The lower right segment portrays a silver helmet above a musket, set against a red field, commemorating the era of conquest and the sacrifices made. In contrast, the lower left section showcases a golden Tunjo on a green setting, a nod to the artistic prowess and prosperity of the Chibcha farmers and their connection to the famed El Dorado legend. Encircling the shield is a blue border adorned with seven frogs and two symmetrically placed snakes, signifying their water-centric mythology and the sanctity of Sie, or water. Topping the shield is an illustration of the Puente del Común, an architectural gem from the colonial period and a cherished symbol of the municipality.
Slogan of the city
Chía’s slogan or famous for “Chía, Ciudad de la Luna” which translates to “Chía, City of the Moon.” This reflects the town’s pre-Columbian Muisca heritage, where the Moon held significant cultural and religious importance.
History
Chía, with its rich history, traces its early inhabitants back to indigenous groups from the Herrera Period, followed by the Muisca. This town emerged as a significant pre-Columbian settlement and was renowned as a ceremonial hub dedicated to the Moon goddess Chía. On March 24, 1537, Spanish forces led by Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada captured the town. Years later, in 1781, during the Revolt of the Comuneros, the insurgent’s march halted near Chía. Here, by the Bogotá River, stands what is recognized today as the Bridge of the Commoners (Spanish: Puente del Común). At this location, the viceroy granted a series of concessions to the rebelling forces. However, after the insurgents dispersed, he retracted those concessions, dismissing them as agreements made under duress. As Bogotá’s expansion continues, many speculate that it might eventually encompass Chía, similar to what occurred with Bosa and Soacha. Geographically, Chía is bordered to the north by Cajicá, to the south by Bogotá’s Usaquén and Suba localities, to the west by Tabio and Tenjo, southwest by Cota, east by Sopó, and southeast by La Calera.
Geography of the city
Situated at coordinates 4°51′N 74°03′W, Chía is a distinctive municipality in the Sabana Centro province of Cundinamarca, Colombia. Perched at an elevation of approximately 2,564 meters (8,412 feet) above sea level, this town nestles within the Bogotá savannah, a vast high-altitude plateau cradled by the Eastern Andes Mountains. The town’s topographical charm is underscored by its gentle hills that transition to the more rugged terrains of the distant Andes. Its cool, temperate Andean climate is punctuated by substantial rainfall, particularly during the region’s pronounced rainy seasons. The Bogotá River, meandering close to Chía, has been a pivotal element in the town’s historical and cultural tapestry. Chía is encircled by various neighboring regions, with Cajicá to the north, Bogotá’s Usaquén and Suba localities to the south, Tabio and Tenjo to the west, Cota to the southwest, Sopó to the east, and La Calera to the southeast. The municipality’s fertile lands present a harmonious blend of urban zones, agricultural stretches, and verdant expanses, all reflecting the area’s agricultural legacy on the nutrient-rich soils of the Bogotá plateau. All in all, Chía’s geographical allure, accentuated by its rivers, hills, and its location on the plateau, weaves a unique tapestry of natural beauty, culture, and development.
Population
152 609(2023) projection
149,570 (2020)
105,509 (2018)
One photo representative of the city
The University of La Sabana, situated in Chía, Cundinamarca, is a prominent private institution in Colombia, governed by the country’s Ministry of Education. Established on September 21, 1979 by the Aspaen Teaching Association, it originated from the INSE “Higher Institute of Education”, renowned as an early pioneer of distance learning in Colombia and Latin America.
This esteemed university has consistently featured among Colombia’s top-ranking institutions. According to the 2023 QS ranking, it secured a position within the 701-750 range and maintained its status among Latin America’s top 100 universities. Furthermore, in 2020, it was recognized as the country’s second-best private teaching institution and the third-best private research university. It also achieved the distinction of being Bogotá’s third-best private institution. By 2022, it ascended to the third position nationally based on ICFES evaluations.
Spread across an expansive, state-of-the-art campus, the University of La Sabana hosts around 12,158 students. The enrollment typically fluctuates between 11,500 and 12,500, with the majority (approximately 9,000) being undergraduates. Additionally, the student body comprises 50 doctoral candidates, 1,500 master’s students, 1,400 specialization students, and 230 pursuing medical-surgical specialties.
The academic structure of the university is segmented into 14 units, encompassing 8 faculties, a school, three institutes, and two specialized units. Together, they offer 24 undergraduate programs. At the postgraduate level, the institution boasts 10 doctoral programs, 49 specializations, 18 medical-surgical specialties, and 37 master’s degrees, tallying up to 129 active programs. As of 2023, the university employs 1,781 faculty members. The core faculty consists of 428 educators, 39% of whom hold doctorates, 46% with master’s degrees, 11% with specializations, and 4% with undergraduate degrees. A commendable 1,300 of these are full-time professors.
The university’s leadership history includes notable rectors like Octavio Arizmendi Posada (1979-1989), Rafael González Cagigas (1989-1995), Álvaro Mendoza Ramírez (1995-2005), and Obdulio Velásquez Posada (2005-2020). In a historic move in 2020, Dr. Rolando Roncancio Rachid, an alumnus of the institution, was appointed as its rector.
Etymology
The name “Chía” in the Chibcha or Muisca language signifies the Moon, both as an astral body and a deity in Muisca mythology. A temple was erected in the ancient town to honour this lunar goddess.
What the city is known or famous for
Tracing its roots to the pre-Columbian era, Chía boasts a rich historical tapestry. This city is not only celebrated for its deep-rooted past but also for its vibrant culinary scene. Chía’s gastronomy is diverse, with an array of restaurants offering a range of flavors to entice both locals and visitors. Furthermore, the city is proud to host the Universidad de la Sabana, regarded as one of the most esteemed educational institutions in the country, further enriching Chía’s cultural and academic landscape.