Cuenca, Ecuador
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Cuenca | |
---|---|
City | |
Santa Ana de los Ríos de Cuenca | |
Cuenca Tram and archaeological ruins of Pumapungo . | |
Nickname: Atenas del Ecuador (Athens of Ecuador) | |
Coordinates: 2°53′50.69″S 79°00′16.13″W / 2.8974139°S 79.0044806°W | |
Country | Ecuador |
Province | Azuay |
Canton | Cuenca Canton |
Founded | April 12, 1557 |
Founded by | Gil Ramírez Dávalos |
Named for | Cuenca, Spain |
Parishes | Urban Parishes
|
Government | |
• Mayor | Cristian Zamora |
Area | |
• City | 3,195 km2 (1,234 sq mi) |
• Urban | 71.45 km2 (27.59 sq mi) |
• Canton | 3,195 km2 (1,234 sq mi) |
Elevation | 2,560 m (8,400 ft) |
Highest elevation | 2,550 m (8,370 ft) |
Lowest elevation | 2,350 m (7,710 ft) |
Population (2022 census) ECT) | |
Postal code | EC010150 |
Area code | (+593) 07 |
Climate | Marine |
Website | Official website (in Spanish) |
Cuenca, officially Santa Ana de los Ríos de Cuenca, is an Ecuadorian city, head of the canton of the same name and capital of the province of Azuay, as well as its largest and most populated city. It is crossed by the Tomebamba, Tarqui, Yanuncay and Machángara rivers,[4] in the south-central inter-Andean region of Ecuador, in the Paute river basin, at an altitude of 2,538 meters above sea level[5] and with a temperate Andean climate averaging 16.3 °C.
It has been locally called "Cuenca of the Andes" or "Athens of Ecuador"[6][7] for its architecture, its cultural diversity, its contribution to Ecuadorian arts, sciences and literature, and for being the birthplace of many illustrious figures of Ecuadorian society.[7][6] At the 2022 census it had a population of 596,101 inhabitants,[2] making it the third most populous city in the country behind Guayaquil and Quito. The city is the core of the Cuenca metropolitan area, which is also made up of nearby rural towns and parishes. The conglomerate also ranks third among Ecuador's conurbations.
It was founded on April 12, 1557, on the ruins of the
Toponymy
The city is named Santa Ana de los Ríos de Cuenca in honor of the city of
History
“The plateau is a place treasured by empires," comments Jeffrey Herlihy-Mera. "The Cañari then Inca and then Spanish occupied the region in the last two millennia, each renaming it in their own language. Now the capital city is called Cuenca and the province Azuay.”[13]
According to studies and
Later, the early indigenous people used the stable climate, fertile soil, and abundant water to develop
.Their technology was also advanced. For example, they began creating ceramics. In fact, ceramics constitute the greatest number of artifacts which
Pre-Columbian society
Cuenca was originally a
After the defeat of the
Tomebamba is considered a candidate for the mythical city of gold which the Spanish called El Dorado. The Spanish thought El Dorado was burned by the inhabitants after they heard of the Spanish conquests. Tomebamba's destruction by its inhabitants prior to the arrival of the Spanish suggests it may have been what the Spanish called El Dorado.
Spanish settlement
The Spanish settlement of Cuenca was founded on April 12, 1557, by the
Cuenca reached the peak of its importance in the first years of Ecuador's independence; Cuenca achieved its independence on November 3, 1820. It became the capital of one of the three provinces that made up the nascent republic. The other two capitals were Guayaquil and Quito.
Population
As per the last INEC estimate for 2015, the population of the Cuenca canton was 580,000 inhabitants, of which 400,000 constitute the urban population (i.e., the population of the city proper). Local publications estimate that the expat population is between 4,000 and 6,000.[17] The economic development is based on industry and agricultural development.
The Cuenca Metropolitan Area includes the cities of Azogues, Biblian, and Deleg in the Cañar province and the cities of Paute and Gualaceo in the Azuay province with a population of 730,000 inhabitants; however, Cuenca's influence in the cultural, economic, and educational areas extends to all the remaining cities 50 miles (80 kilometres) around the city.
Economy
Cuenca is known for its textiles, furniture, hats, and shoes. The straw hats known around the world as Panama hats are made in Cuenca by local artisans. Cuenca also exports flowers to the United States and countries in Europe. While farming has shrunk in the past years, it is still an important sector of the city's economy, mainly vegetables and corn. Cattle ranching is also an important economic activity. Since Cuenca is located in the Andes mountains surrounded by forested areas nearby, mining and logging are also local industries. Some of the common mined resources are kaolin, plaster, limestone, sand, and carbon. Cuenca has also an important industrial and commercial sector.
Tourism continues to grow: Cuenca has many churches and a well-preserved old town that are a part of the cultural heritage of the city. Near Cuenca some important national parks, including Cajas National Park have been created.
At the turn of the century, the country's economy was affected by the change in currency, from sucre to USD.[18]
Geography
Cuenca, capital of the province of Azuay, is located in the sierra of the Andes in the Austro or southern region of Ecuador. It is approximately 470 km south of Quito and 200 km southeast of Guayaquil. The city ranges from 2,350 to 2,550 metres (7,710 to 8,370 feet) above sea level.
The dominant features of the city's geography are also the source of its name in Spanish: the four rivers of Cuenca (meaning a basin made by a
Parishes
Cuenca Canton contains the following parishes:
- Baños
- Chaucha
- Checa (Jidcay)
- Chiquintad
- Cumbe
- Llacao
- Molleturo
- Nulti
- Octavio Cordero Palacios (Santa Rosa)
- Paccha
- Quingeo
- Ricaurte
- San Joaquín
- Santa Ana
- Sayausi
- Sidcay
- Sinincay
- Tarqui
- Turi
- Valle
- Victoria del Portete (Irquis)
Climate
Cuenca features a
Climate data for Cuenca, Ecuador | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Record high °C (°F) | 33.0 (91.4) |
29.9 (85.8) |
28.8 (83.8) |
33.0 (91.4) |
32.0 (89.6) |
31.6 (88.9) |
29.5 (85.1) |
34.0 (93.2) |
31.2 (88.2) |
33.0 (91.4) |
33.0 (91.4) |
33.0 (91.4) |
34.0 (93.2) |
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 22.4 (72.3) |
22.4 (72.3) |
21.9 (71.4) |
21.7 (71.1) |
21.4 (70.5) |
20.4 (68.7) |
19.9 (67.8) |
20.4 (68.7) |
21.3 (70.3) |
22.3 (72.1) |
23.1 (73.6) |
23.1 (73.6) |
21.7 (71.0) |
Daily mean °C (°F) | 15.3 (59.5) |
15.8 (60.4) |
15.6 (60.1) |
15.3 (59.5) |
14.4 (57.9) |
13.6 (56.5) |
13.3 (55.9) |
13.3 (55.9) |
14.7 (58.5) |
15.3 (59.5) |
14.7 (58.5) |
15.6 (60.1) |
14.7 (58.5) |
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 10.9 (51.6) |
11.1 (52.0) |
11.2 (52.2) |
10.9 (51.6) |
10.6 (51.1) |
9.8 (49.6) |
9.4 (48.9) |
9.1 (48.4) |
9.5 (49.1) |
10.1 (50.2) |
10.2 (50.4) |
10.6 (51.1) |
10.3 (50.5) |
Record low °C (°F) | 0.0 (32.0) |
0.0 (32.0) |
1.0 (33.8) |
1.0 (33.8) |
0.0 (32.0) |
−0.6 (30.9) |
−3.0 (26.6) |
−1.1 (30.0) |
−1.0 (30.2) |
−2.0 (28.4) |
−0.6 (30.9) |
0.0 (32.0) |
−3.0 (26.6) |
Average rainfall mm (inches) | 67 (2.6) |
85 (3.3) |
107 (4.2) |
109 (4.3) |
77 (3.0) |
68 (2.7) |
53 (2.1) |
47 (1.9) |
56 (2.2) |
73 (2.9) |
69 (2.7) |
67 (2.6) |
878 (34.5) |
Average rainy days (≥ 0.1 mm) | 20 | 21 | 22 | 19 | 15 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 12 | 16 | 13 | 10 | 179 |
Mean monthly sunshine hours | 155 | 113 | 124 | 120 | 155 | 150 | 186 | 186 | 150 | 155 | 150 | 155 | 1,799 |
Source 1: Temperatures: Climate Ecuador,[19] Voodoo Skies[20] | |||||||||||||
Source 2: Other: Cuenca Climate Guide [21] |
Education
Universities
The first
The city has the following Universities:
- Universidad de Cuenca (UCUENCA)
- Universidad Politécnica Salesiana (UPS)
- Universidad del Azuay (UDA)
- Universidad Católica de Cuenca (UCACUE)
The first university is classified as an A category university; the subsequent next three are B category. universities This was stated by the Council for Evaluation, Validation and Assurance of the Quality in Superior Education of Ecuador (CEAACES)[23]
Primary and secondary schools
International schools:
- École Franco-équatorienne Joseph-de-Jussieu (French school)
- Colegio Alemán Stiehle (German school)
Main sights
UNESCO World Heritage Site | |
---|---|
Criteria | Cultural: ii, iv, v |
Reference | 863 |
Inscription | 1999 (23rd Session) |
Area | 224.14 ha |
Buffer zone | 1,836.94 ha |
Most tourists visit the historic area, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, between the river Tomebamba and the streets of Gran Colombia to the north, General Torres to the west, and Hermano Miguel to the east. This area's compactness, grid-like layout, and numerous readily identifiable monuments make it easy to navigate. Outside this area the city can be confusing, as there are dozens of narrow colonial streets with similar buildings.
Major fiestas of Cuenca come at the time of the "Mass of Children" that is carried out the day of the Arrival of Kings (January 6 - Epiphany Day), or in the commemoration of the independence of the city (November 3), during which processions, cultural acts, and dances are organized. The nearby Cañar plantation (in the county of the same name) features the biggest Inca ruins in Ecuador.
Landmarks
- Old Cathedral (Iglesia de El Sagrario). Built in 1557, the edifice eventually became too small for the town's attendants. In 1880, a new cathedral was built as the replacement. The old cathedral, no longer consecrated, has been restored and is now used as a museum.
- is covered with pink marble, brought from Carrara (Italy). At its inauguration, the newly constructed Cathedral could accommodate 9,000 of Cuenca's 10,000 inhabitants at that time.
- Park Abdon Calderon. It is located in the center of Cuenca between the old and new cathedrals. On the park benches, people meet to converse and absorb its tranquility. The municipal offices are located nearby.
- Monastery of El Carmen de Asuncion. In the atrium a colorful flower market supplements the beauty of the church, which was founded in 1682. A sculpted stone façade and a golden pulpit make the church very attractive.
- Monastery and Museum of La Concepcion, with 17th-century tombs and a complete collection of religious art.
- House of the Ecuadorian Culture
- Municipal Museum Remigio Crespo Toral
- Museum of the Central Bank
- Museum of the Aboriginal Cultures
- Church of Santo Domingo
- San Blas
- Turi the Mirador
- Ruinas de todos los santos. In this ancient place, four niches of Inca origin exist. Their form is trapezoidal, and they are built of stone. It includes the remains of a colonial mill.
Surroundings
- Molleturo, a vast rural area (about 1,000 square kilometres or 386 square miles) situated in Ecuador's southern Andes, is composed of several little villages (hamlets). The centre of the area is located 1.5 hours away by car from the nearest big city (Cuenca). This distance, however, is very short compared to ten years ago, when there was no road for cars and it took people three days of mule riding to get to Cuenca. In spite of the advantages, the road has also had negative impacts on the ecological system, which is still very important for people's daily survival.
- Jima, located near Cuenca, is a hiking hotspot for southern Ecuador. Jima is located at the base of two beautiful green mountains at 8,800 feet (2,700 metres). Hikes for all skill levels are available, including a three-day hike from the peaks of the Andes mountains down into the lush tropical rainforest of the Amazon basin.
- Gualaceo
- Chordeleg, located less than 50 kilometres (31 miles) from Cuenca, is a town of Cañari origin known for its weavers, embroiderers, and potters. This same area includes a stone corridor in snake form, built in pre-Inca time, known for gold and silver smiths and local jewelry.
- .
- Azogues, the capital of Cañar Province, is located 29 kilometres (18 miles) from Cuenca. A city with a colonial atmosphere, one of its highlights is San Francisco's convent, built on the summit of a huaca (sacred mountain) of the prehispanic residents.
- Cañar plantation, with a colorful market and the nearby ruins of Ingapirca (Kichwa: "Inca wall"), is located 65 kilometres (40 miles) from Cuenca and is usually the starting point for the trips to the famous ruins that, according to experts, were used to control the native Cañaris. Stores, bathrooms, a tambo for the Inca, and a temple dedicated to the sun are all part of Ingapirca, which was built in the 15th century by orders of Huayna Capac.
Culture
Festivities
One of the festivities celebrated in Cuenca and in other parts of Ecuador is "El Carnaval." This holiday is celebrated three days prior to Ash Wednesday. Families get together to celebrate what started as a "pagan ritual." Now it is celebrated by wetting friends and random people with water balloons and spraying "Carioca," a nonstaining foam.
Additionally, Cuenca's Independence Day is celebrated at the beginning of November. The festivities span a number of days and consist of various parades, concerts, cultural events, and artisan fairs.[24]
Gastronomy
The gastronomy of Cuenca shares characteristics with other mountainous parts of Ecuador. As in other regions of Ecuador, cuy (
In Cuenca, lunch is the largest meal of the day and is typically served in two courses.[27] The first course is soup, which is followed by a plate of stewed or grilled meat and rice.
Transport
Bus station
Cuenca's interprovincial bus station, called the Terminal Terrestre as it is in most cities, is well organized and clean. It is located on Avenida España in the northeastern corner of the city, a twenty-minute walk or a brief taxi ride from the historic center. Also, many city buses provide frequent service as indicated by the "Terminal Terrestre" placard on the windshield.
Buses arrive and depart throughout the day. Service is available to major cities, such as Guayaquil and Quito and also to nearby cities such as Loja, Riobamba, or Machala. The distance to Guayaquil is 243 km. and the bus takes nearly 4 hours on the highway Durán-Pto.Inca-Molleturo (I582W), a scenic ride through the Cajas National Park. Quito is 497 km from Cuenca, and the trip takes around 10 hours on the Pan-American Highway (I35N). Many prefer to travel by bus at night. Those who choose to travel overnight should exercise caution due to reported bus hijacks, which have resulted in armed robbery.[citation needed]
Airport
The airport, Aeropuerto Mariscal Lamar (
Tram
A tram/light rail line was completed in early 2019, and the tramway opened May 25, 2020. The line runs a total of 10.5 km.(7 miles) with 27 stations, starting at Cuenca Industrial Park in the north, crossing the Historic Center of Cuenca, and ending south at the entrance to Baños.[28]
Cuenca public transportation statistics
According to the Moovit Public Transport Index, Cuenca's bus system compares extremely favorably with other cities in Latin America. The average amount of time people spend commuting with public transit in Cuenca, for example to and from work, is 51 minutes on a weekday, with only 7% of public transit riders riding for more than 2 hours every day. The average amount of time people wait at a bus stop or bus station for public transit is 11 minutes, while a mere 9% of riders wait for over 20 minutes on average every day. The average distance people usually ride in a single trip with public transit is 3.8 km, while 0% travel for over 12 km in a single direction.[29] In 2018, the flat-rate bus fare is 30 US cents, with fares for children, students, seniors, and the disabled costing only 15 US cents.
International relations
Twin towns – Sister cities
Cuenca is
- Rosario, Argentina[30]
- Tempe, Arizona, United States
- Ossining, New York, United States
See also
References
- ^ Citypopulation.de Population and area of Cuenca urban area
- ^ a b Marco Carrasco (21 September 2023). "Resultados Censo Ecuador: las 12 ciudades más pobladas del país". Ecuavisa website.
- ^ "TelluBase—Ecuador Fact Sheet (Tellusant Public Service Series)" (PDF). Tellusant. Retrieved 2024-01-11.
- ^ Stephen Vargha (31 July 2023). "The Four Rivers Of Cuenca". YapaTree website.
- ^ Marco Carrasco (21 September 2023). "Visit Cuenca. Generalities". Municipal Tourism Foundation of Cuenca website.
- ^ ISBN 978-1-47259-856-1.
- ^ ISBN 978-1-83947-441-5.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-19-090803-4.
- ^ Antonio de Ulloa; Jorge Juan y Santacilia (1748). Relación histórica del viage. Hecho de orden de S. Mag. a la América Meridional para medir algunos grados del meridiano terreftre y venir por ellos en conocimiento de la verdadera figura y magnitud de la tierra y otras observaciones aftronómicas, y Phísicas. Historical Library of the Complutense University of Madrid: Antonio Marín. p. 656.
- UNESCO World HeritageCentre website.
- ^ Federico González Suárez (1891). Historia general de la república del Ecuador. Volume 2. p. 445.
- ^ Guamán Poma (1615). "Guaman Poma, Nueva corónica y buen gobierno (1615)". Royal Library, Denmark website. p. 1015.
- ^ Herlihy-Mera, Jeffrey (2018). "Where Are You Going? a Bus Ride Through the Languages of Ecuador". The Chronicle of Higher Education. July 16: 1. Archived from the original on 2019-12-03.
- ^ Jane Hiltbrand (24 July 2022). "Santuario Mariano del Carmen de la Asuncion Iglesia". architecturalcuenca.com.
- ISBN 9781631217180.
- ISBN 9788489569836.
- ^ "Who are the Cuenca expats? Why are they here? What is their impact?: Results of the City of Cuenca and United Nations Development Office study". 18 July 2017.
- ^ Netvoluciona. "Economía de la provincia de Cuenca". www.economiaprovincialcuenca.es. Retrieved 2016-11-09.
- ^ "ECUADOR - CUENCA". Archived from the original on 13 January 2019. Retrieved 28 August 2015.
- ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2018-06-03. Retrieved 2015-09-16.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ "Cuenca Climate Guide, Ecuador". Archived from the original on 22 March 2016. Retrieved 28 August 2015.
- ^ National Assembly of Ecuador. "Resolution that declares to Cuenca as 'City of Universities of the Republic of Ecuador'" (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 28 May 2014.
- ^ Council for Evaluation, Validation and Assurance of the Quality in Superior Education of Ecuador. "University Evaluation of 2013" (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 7 June 2014. Retrieved 28 May 2014.
- ^ "Agenda Digital de las fiestas de Cuenca". El Tiempo. Retrieved 20 January 2019.
- ^ Haines, Dena (11 March 2014). "Pork and Cuy: Street Food in Cuenca". GringosAbroad. Retrieved 21 January 2019.
- ^ "Celebrations and gastronomy". Turismo Cuenca Ecuador. Fundacion Municipal Turismo Para Cuenca - Ecuador. Retrieved 21 January 2019.
- ^ "Food & Drink in Ecuador". Frommer's. Retrieved 21 January 2019.
- ^ "Cuenca tramway opens". Metro Report International. DVV Media International Ltd. 29 May 2020. Retrieved 2021-10-15.
- ^ "Cuenca Public Transportation Statistics". Global Public Transit Index by Moovit. Retrieved June 19, 2017. Material was copied from this source, which is available under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
- ^ "Town Twinning Agreements". Municipalidad de Rosario - Buenos Aires 711. Archived from the original on 2015-03-19. Retrieved 2014-10-14.
External links
- Official Travel Guide To Cuenca, with maps, hotels, restaurants, photos & more information about Cuenca
- A Guide to Using the City Buses in Cuenca
- Cuenca government Archived 2011-09-28 at the Wayback Machine
- Universidad de Cuenca
- Universidad del azuay
- Ecuador Special Events and Holiday Calendar
- Cultura, tradición y turismo de Cuenca - Ecuador
- Cuenca in 360° view, Map of Cuenca Archived 2017-10-26 at the Wayback Machine
- Business Directory Archived 2016-11-05 at the Wayback Machine
- Gastronomic Guide Archived 2016-11-05 at the Wayback Machine