Cucaita is a municipality in the Central Boyacá Province, part of Boyacá Department, Colombia. The urban centre is situated on the Altiplano Cundiboyacense at a distance of from the department capital Tunja. Cucaita borders Sora in the north, Tunja in the east and south and Samacá in the south and west. Etymology The name Cucaita is derived from Chibcha and means either "Seminary enclosure" or "Shade of the farming fields". History The area of Cucaita in the times before the Spanish conquest was inhabited by the Muisca, organised in their loose Muisca Confederation. Cucaita was ruled by the zaque of nearby Hunza. Modern Cucaita was founded on August 12, 1556 by friar Juan de Los Barrios. Economy Main economical activities of Cucaita are agriculture (predominantly onions and peas), livestock farming and minor carbon mining. Born in Cucaita Rafael Antonio Niño, former professional cyclist Gallery References External links Colombian ministry of culture; Cucaita, 450 years old Municipalities of Boyacá Department Populated places established in 1556 1556 establishments in the Spanish Empire Muysccubun