Tocaima

Tocaima (Spanish pronunciation: [toˈkaima]) refers to both a city and a municipality in Cundinamarca, Colombia.

City

The city of Tocaima was founded on March 20, 1544 by the Spanish explorer Hernan Vanegas Carrillo. This small city is most well known for being a warm vacation site during religious holidays, especially for college students from Bogotá and other surrounding areas.

The town is crossed by the Pati River, which sometimes floods the town.

History

Before Spanish colonization, the area was home to the Guacana, an Amerindian tribe belonging to the Panche Amerindian Nation. Tocaima was named in honor of a legendary warrior from this tribe, during the ruling period of the Cacica Guacana.

It is believed that Tocaima is the only city in the Cundinamarca Department that presently has a royal title and coat of arms issued by the Spanish Monarchy. Charles V issued the royal title and coat of arms on February 7, 1549, in appreciation of the city's loyalty and fame for being a powerful and wealthy region.