Riobamba

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Country	Ecuador
San Pedro de Riobamba
Nickname: La Sultana de los Andes
Province	Chimborazo
Canton	Riobamba
Government
- Mayor	Ángel Ignacio Yánez Cabrera (MUPP-NP)
Area
- Total	2,900 km² (1,119.7 sq mi)
Population (2004)
- Total	170,000
Time zone	EST (UTC-5)
- Summer (DST)	EDT (UTC-4)

Riobamba is the capital of Chimborazo Province in central Ecuador, which is located at the Chambo River Valley of the Andes. ^[1] It is 200 km (125 miles) south of Ecuador's capital Quito and located at 9,000 feet (2,700 m) on the Avenue of the Volcanoes. The city is surrounded by mountains and volcanoes, and while sitting at the foot of the volcano Chimborazo, one gets the world’s highest view from the center of the Earth.^[2]

[edit] History

Riobamba is an important historic and cultural landmark of Ecuador. The region was a Puruhá Indian territory before it was conquered by the Incas during the late 15th century. It was the first city founded by the Spaniards in what is now Ecuador, founded in 1530. In 1563 the city became part of the Spanish Empire's newly-formed Royal Audience of Quito.

Known as the “Sultan of the Andes”, Riobamba was completely destroyed by earthquake in 1797, but rebuilt a few years later 14 km (9 miles) away from its original location, near a village named Cajabamba. The city still retains a great architecture from the Spanish period. In the struggle against Spanish rule Riobamba first declared independence on November 11, 1820 but was soon retaken. The city finally became part of an independent Gran Colombia in 1822, and then a separate Republic of Ecuador in 1830.

The old city was the birthplace of Isabela Godin des Odonais (b. 1728).

[edit] Geography

Lying at the center of the country, Riobamba is conveniently located at the crossroads between the highlands, the coast and the jungle.

[edit] Volcanoes

[edit] Chimborazo

Chimborazo is located in the Inter-Andean Cord, a north-northeast trend structural depression that separates the Western and Eastern Mountain Chain of the Andes. It is a quaternary volcano that has never erupted. Its peak is 6,310 m (20,700 ft) above sea level.^[3]. It has a colossal shape which immediately makes altitude problems to the mountaineers. The first refuge is accessible via car but only experienced climbers should attempt climbing the northwest or the southwest face.^[4]

[edit] Sangay

At 5,350 m, Sangay is one of the most active volcanos in the Andes, the mountain lies inside Sangay National Park.^[5] The first documented eruption of Sangay was in 1628. Sangay has erupted almost continuously since 1934. In 1976, an explosion dropped blocks up to 35 cm (14 inches) in diameter that killed two people and also injured many. ^[6]

[edit] El Altar

Standing at 5405 m (17,730 ft), El Altar is the fifth highest volcano in Ecuador.^[7] It is an extinct, snowcapped volcano close to the geographical center of Ecuador. It contains many different colored lakes and a great diversity of valleys. Altar contains a lake that sends a small flow of water from its boiler, which is full of caves. Its abundant peaks resemble the shape of a colonial church’s altar. Seeing the mountain as a huge cathedral, Spaniards named it El Altar. The highest peak is Bishop, also called “Capac Urcu,” which means "Almighty Mountain."^[8]

[edit] Demography

Beyond its historical dimension, Chimborazo is considered the most indigenous province in Ecuador and retains a unique cultural mélange. More than five hundred indigenous communities contribute to Chimborazo’s ethnic diversity, and have successfully led a national indigenous movement. Riobamba’s colorful and picturesque markets, its street life and cultural traditions are testimony to this strong and diverse indigenous presence.^[9]

[edit] Economy

The economy of the city mainly focuses on the agricultural production of the surrounding local populations. Besides this, Riobamba has an open-air market where indigenous artisans display their wares, where people can find manufactured products as textiles, handicrafts, leather goods, beer, and dairy products. Riobamba is also an important trade center of cattle-ranching.

[edit] Education

[edit] Schools

Maldonado College in Riobamba

Colegio Maria Auxiliadora
Colegio Amelia Gallegos Díaz
Colegio Angel Polibio Chaves
Colegio Camilo Gallegos Toledo
Colegio Carlos Cisneros
Unidad Educativa Cristiana "VERBO"
Colegio de las Madres Franciscanas
Colegio 10 de Noviembre
Colegio La Salle
Colegio Nacional de Señoritas Riobamba
Colegio Nacional Pedro Carbo
Colegio Ruffo Di Donato Chiriboga
Colegio Salesiano Santo Tomás Apóstol
Colegio San Felipe Neri
Colegio San Pedro de Guanujo
Colegio Técnico Nacional Guaranda
Colegio Verbo Divino
Instituto ABC
Instituto John F. Kennedy
Maldonado
Marianas
Unidad Educativa Jefferson
Unidad Educativa Riverside
Colegio Cap Edmundo Chiriboga

[edit] Universities

Universidad Nacional de Chimborazo
Escuela Superior Politecnica de Chimborazo
Universidad Salesiana
Universidad San Francisco de Quito
Instituto Tecnologico superior Isabel de godin

[edit] Newspapers

La prensa

[edit] Services

[edit] Hotels

Hostería La Andaluza

It is a nice ranch with excellent views of the Altar and Tungurahua volcanos. Located 15 km along the Panamericana.

Hostería Abraspungu

A relaxing country house with restaurants, swimming pools, bars, and horse riding. Located along the road to Guano on km 3 1/2.

EI Cisne
Hotel Galpón
Hotel Zeus
Hotel Chimborazo
Segovia
Tren Dorado
Whymper^[10]

[edit] Restaurants

GUS
El Chacarero
Bonny Restaurant
Lentejitas "El Sabor"
El Mesón
El Pénjamo
El Fogón
Tambo de Oro
Monacco
Chifa Macau
Pollo Ejecutivo

[edit] Shopping

El Buho: Regional crafts.
Cacha: Wool sweaters, bags and other handicrafts.
Alta Montaña: Wood carvings and tagua amongst others.^[11]

[edit] Bars Music

Gens-Chop Bar: Varied music and videos.
Grin Livs: Disco-bar.
Milenium: International music.
Unicornio: Salsa and Piano-bar.
Vieja Guardia: Disco-bar.^[12]
El Tentadero.
Romeo.
Viejoteka

[edit] Festivals

The main celebration in Riobamba is Fiesta del Niño Rey de Reyes, which starts in December and ends on January 6. It has many colorful parades and music during the festivities. Another celebration is Riobamba's Independence Day on 21st of April. During those days people enjoy many concerts, drinking and lively parades. As most of the population does not work during these festivals, it is very difficult to find accommodation or any other service. The last festivity in Riobamba is its Foundation, which takes place at the 11th of November.^[13]

[edit] Tourism

[edit] Places to visit

[edit] Museums

Ateno de Chimborazo

It is a privately run museum with sculptures, furniture, photographic materials, and documented memorabilia, located on Velasco 24-25 and Velóz.

Armas

It proudly exhibits a wide selection of uniforms, arms as well as religious materials which depict various epochs of Ecuador's history, located on Ave. Héroes de Tapi.

Arte Relegioso de la Concepción

It is a prestigious museum boasting a priceless gem-encrusted gold monstrance. The art encased in this religious collection is comes from the 18th century. entry.^[14]

Ciecias Naturales del Colegio Maldonado
Casa de Bolivar
Córdova-Román
Antropológico del Banco Central
Etnográfico de la Casa de la Cultura

[edit] Churches

Catedral
Basílica del Sagrado Corazón de Jesús
Concepción
La Merced
San Antonio
San Alfonso
Casa Madre
Capilla del Colegio San Felipe Neri

[edit] Parks

Parque de Guayaquil a.k.a. Parque Infantil
Parque Barriga
Parque Loma de Quito a.k.a. Parque de los Enamorados
Parque Maldonado
Parque Sucre
Parque 21 de Abril
Parque La Libertad
Parque Ecologico

[edit] Sports

Climbing and trekking

Riobamba is a good base to climb Carihuairazo, Chimborazo, Sangay and Altar.

Ball games

There is a ball game in Riobamba called "the mamona", which is played with a leather ball. It is usually played by the locals all afternoons at the Plaza Roja.

Mountain biking
Swimming

This sport can be practiced in CENAEST, where temperate swimming pools and Spa attract many tourists.

Cockfights

Cockfights are usually seen during Riobamba's festivities and on weekends at the Gallera San Francisco.^[15]

[edit] Agencies

Metropolitan Touring
Julio Verne
Alta Montaña

[edit] Transport

[edit] Bus

In the main bus terminal as well as in the Oriente bus Terminal tickets are available to: Quito, Ambato, Baños, Puyo, Guayaquil, Guaranda, Santo Domingo de los Colorados, Machala, and Cuenca.

[edit] See also

[edit] References

[edit] External links

Coordinates: 1°40′12″S, 78°38′44″W

v • d • e Provincial capitals in Ecuador

Within regions, north to south

Insular	Puerto Baquerizo

Costa	Esmeraldas · Santo Domingo · Portoviejo · Babahoyo · Guayaquil · Santa Elena · Machala

Sierra	Tulcán · Ibarra · Quito · Latacunga · Ambato · Guaranda · Riobamba · Azogues · Cuenca · Loja

Oriente	Lago Agrio · El Coca · Tena · Puyo · Macas · Zamora

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