Baños
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| Baños | |
| Nickname: Baños de Agua Santa | |
| Country | Ecuador |
|---|---|
| Province | Tungurahua |
| Canton | Baños |
| Government | |
| - Mayor | Fausto Acosta (PSP) |
| Population (2004) | |
| - Total | 130,000 |
| Time zone | EST (UTC-5) |
| - Summer (DST) | EDT (UTC-4) |
Baños is a city in eastern Tungurahua Province, in central Ecuador. Baños is the second most populous city in Tungurahua, after Ambato, the capital, and a major touristic center. It is known as the "Gateway to the Amazon," as it is located on the Pastaza River in the Amazon River basin, and has a newly paved road to Puyo.
Contents |
[edit] Etymology
Baños (Sp. baths), is named after the hydrothermal springs of mineral water located around the city.
[edit] History
Baños is located on the northern foothills of the Tungurahua volcano. It is named after the hydrothermal springs of mineral water located around the city. The city is also a Roman Catholic religious center, as some Catholic believers say that the Virgin Mary appeared nearby a waterfall. So a sculpture of the virgin, called Virgen de Agua Santa, was placed in the cathedral.
[edit] Economy
Baños is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Ecuador[1] and is well known for the mom-and-pop stores where they sell taffy (Spanish: melcocha [mel.ˈko.ʧa]) made from cane sugar, and for the excellent small arts and crafts shops, a favorite spot for tourists.
[edit] Cityscape
City parks include Cerro Hermoso, National Park Los Llanganates, and Baños Zoo. La Basílica de la Reina del Rosario de Agua Santa is a major church. Nearby waterfalls include Virgen de Agua Santa, Inés María, Agoyán, El Manto de la Novia, Pailón del Diablo,
