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Soacha

Soacha
Municipality of Colombia
Bike path in Soacha
Bike path in Soacha
Flag of Soacha
Flag
Coat of arms of Soacha
Coat of arms
Motto: Latin: Sol omnibus lucet
(The sun shines equally over everyone)
Location of Soacha in Cundinamarca
Location of Soacha in Cundinamarca
Soacha is located in Colombia
Soacha
Soacha
Location of Soacha in Cundinamarca
Coordinates: 04°35′14″N 74°13′17″W / 4.58722°N 74.22139°W / 4.58722; -74.22139Coordinates: 04°35′14″N 74°13′17″W / 4.58722°N 74.22139°W / 4.58722; -74.22139
Country  Colombia
Department Cundinamarca
Province Soacha
Founded 15 August 1600
Founded by Luis Enríquez
Government
 • Type Municipality
 • Mayor Eleázar González Casas
(2016-2019)
Area
 • Municipality of Colombia 184.45 km2 (71.22 sq mi)
 • Urban 19 km2 (7 sq mi)
Elevation 2,565 m (8,415 ft)
Population (2016)
 • Municipality of Colombia 522,442
 • Density 2,800/km2 (7,300/sq mi)
 • Urban 516,435
 • Urban density 27,000/km2 (70,000/sq mi)
Demonym(s) Suachuno
Area code(s) 57 + 1
Website Official website

Soacha is considered a borough of Bogotá, but officially it is an autonomous municipality of the department of Cundinamarca. It has an important industrial zone and is home to mostly working-class families. Soacha borders Bojacá and Mosquera to the north, Sibaté and Pasca to the south, to the east the capital Bogotá and to the west Granada and San Antonio del Tequendama.

With a population of 522,442 inhabitants (census 2016), Soacha is Bogota's most populous suburb.

The name Soacha is derived from the Chibcha words Súa, name of Sun god Sué, and chá which means "man"; "Man of the Sun". The original name Suecha has been changed to Soacha over time.

Soacha was inhabited first by indigenous groups during the Herrera Period and later became an important village in the Muisca Confederation, the former country of the Muisca before the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors. The zipa of Bacatá (now known as Bogotá) ruled over Soacha.

Modern Soacha was founded on 15th of August, 1600. It gained national notoriety after the presidential candidate Luis Carlos Galán was assassinated on August 18, 1989 while visiting the city during his presidential campaign.

Also during 1989, the bombing of Avianca Flight 203 happened in Soacha, killing everyone on-board plus three Soacha residents. The bombing was planned by Cartel de Medellin leader Pablo Escobar, who intended to murder presidential candidate Cesar Gaviria, who was supposed to be on board. Gaviria had decided not to fly and instead went on to become President of Colombia.


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