Ocetá Páramo

Ocetá Páramo
Ciudad de Piedra and frailejones on the Ocetá Páramo
Ecology
Realm	Neotropic
Biome	Páramo
Borders	Pisba National Natural Park and Siscuinsí Lake
Animals	Andean condor, black agouti, eastern cottontail, mountain paca, spectacled bear, white-tailed deer
Geography
Area	57.711 km2 (22.282 sq mi)
Country	Colombia
State	Monguí, Mongua, Tópaga Sugamuxi Province, Boyacá
Elevation	2,950 metres (9,680 ft) to 3,950 metres (12,960 ft)
Coordinates	5°42′39.5″N 72°47′52.2″W / 5.710972°N 72.797833°W / 5.710972; -72.797833Coordinates: 5°42′39.5″N 72°47′52.2″W / 5.710972°N 72.797833°W / 5.710972; -72.797833
Geology	Paleocene: Socha Formation Cretaceous: Guaduas, Guadalupe & Chipaque Formations Basin: El Cocuy sub-basin Orogen: Eastern Ranges Mountain range: Andes
Rivers	Calicanto, Morro & Tejar Rivers
Climate type	Cf

The Ocetá Páramo (Spanish: Páramo de Ocetá) is a páramo at altitudes between 2,950 metres (9,680 ft) and 3,950 metres (12,960 ft) in the Eastern Ranges of the Colombian Andes. It covers parts of the municipalities Monguí, Mongua and Tópaga, belonging to the Sugamuxi Province, Boyacá. The Ocetá Páramo is known for its collection of frailejones and other flora, as well as Andean fauna. Hiking tours from Monguí or Mongua to the páramo take a full day.

The Páramo de Ocetá in the times before the Spanish conquest of the Muisca was inhabited by the Muisca, loyal to the iraca of Suamox, who considered the region sacred. Myths and legends exist from pre-Columbian and Spanish colonial times and in the lower part of the páramo the Muisca women gave birth in little man-made pools (Tortolitas).

The Ocetá Páramo is considered the most beautiful páramo in the world and one of the treasures of Colombia.

The Ocetá Páramo is considered the most beautiful páramo in the world and one of the national treasures of Colombia. It is located at 230 kilometres (140 mi) from the Colombian capital Bogotá and 93 kilometres (58 mi) from the departmental capital Tunja. Colombia is the country with the most páramos in the world; more than 60% of the Andean ecosystem is found within Colombian territories. Boyacá is the department where 18.3% of the national total area is located.