Cuenca, Ecuador

For other uses, see Cuenca.

Cuenca
City
Santa Ana de Los Cuatro Ríos de Cuenca
Flag Coat of arms
Nickname:  Atenas del Ecuador (Athens of Ecuador)
Country	Ecuador
Province	Azuay
Canton	Cuenca
Founded	April 12, 1557
Founded by	Gil Ramírez Dávalos
Named for	Cuenca, Spain
Parishes	Urban Parishes Bellavista Cañaribamba El Batán El Sagrario El Vecino Gil Ramírez Dávalos Hermano Miguel Huayna Cápac Machángara Monay San Blas San Sebastián Sucre Totoracocha Yanuncay
Government
• Mayor	Hugo Marcelo Cabrera Palacios
Area
• City	67.71 km2 (26.14 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  (2000)INEC decadal national census
• City	467,000
• Density	6,900/km2 (18,000/sq mi)
• Metro	617,632
	The population total is of the urban parishes of the Municipality of Cuenca (the canton), which make up the city of Cuenca; the metro population is the population of the canton.
Time zone	UTC-5 (ECT)
Demonym	Cuencano(-a)
Website	Official site

Cuenca (full name Santa Ana de los cuatro ríos de Cuenca) is the third largest city in Ecuador by population, which totals 467,000. It is the capital of the Azuay Province. It is located in the highlands of Ecuador at about 2500m (8200 ft) above sea level. The center of the city is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Trust site because of its historical buildings.

History

First inhabitants

According to studies and archeological discoveries, the origins of the first inhabitants go back to the year 8060 BC in the Cave of Chopsi. They were hunters, hunting everything the Páramo offered them, and also nomads moving from one place to other. Tools like arrows and spears, found throughout the Andean alley, are signs of the beginning of this culture. Their presence dates back to approximately 5585 BC.

The early inhabitants used the stable climate, fertile soil and abundant water to develop agriculture. They grew potatoes, melloco, chocho, squash and quinoa. They also domesticated animals such as cuy, llamas, and alpacas.

Their technology also advanced; they started using ceramics, which are the main archaeological material from which to study their culture. There isn’t much information from between 5000 and 2000 B.C., since remains dating from that era haven’t been found. Around 2000 B.C began a more organized society, demonstrating delegated responsibilities, like the managing of water, control of plagues and there was a differentiation between administrative and religious authorities (known as shamans). This occurred during the periods of Chaullabamba, Huayco, Pirincay, Monjas, Putushio, Huancarcucho and Jubones. From then until 500 AD began the periods of Tacalshapa III and Cañari.

Pre-Columbian society

Cuenca was originally a Cañari settlement called Guapondeleg. It is believed to have been founded around 500 AD. Guapondeleg translates into "land as big as heaven." Less than half a century before the conquistadors landed, the Incas, after a bitter struggle, conquered the Cañari and occupied Guapondeleg and the surrounding area. Though the Incas replaced the Cañari architecture with their own, they did not suppress the Cañari or their impressive achievements in astronomy and agriculture. As was customary for the Incas, they absorbed useful achievements into their culture. They renamed the city Tumebamba. The city became known as the second Cusco.

Shortly after the defeat of the Cañari, the Inca commander, Tupac Yupanqui, ordered the construction of a grand city to be called Pumapungo, "the door of the Puma". Its magnificence was to challenge that of the Inca capital of Cuzco. Indians relayed stories to the Spanish chroniclers of golden temples and other such wonders, but by the time the Spaniards found the legendary city, all that remained were ruins. They wondered what happened to the fabled splendor and riches of the second Inca capital. After having been abandoned by the Cañari and then the Incas, Tumebamba was sparsely populated until the 1550s.

Tumebamba is considered a candidate for the mythical city of gold, El Dorado. El Dorado is believed to have been burned by the inhabitants when rumors arose of Spanish conquests. Tumebamba's destruction by its inhabitants prior to the arrival of the Spanish lends credence to the theory that it was El Dorado. Tumebamba was founded by the Incas as a second imperial capital, as noted above.

Spanish settlement

Cuenca was founded on April 12, 1557 by the Spanish explorer Gil Ramírez Dávalos. The founding of the city was commissioned by Andrés Hurtado de Mendoza, then Viceroy of Peru. Hurtado de Mendoza had the city named after his home town of Cuenca, Spain. The date of its founding was notably later than those of other major Ecuadorian cities, such as Quito (1534), Guayaquil (1538), and Loja (1548).

Cuenca's population and importance grew steadily during the colonial era. It 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 census, the population of the Cuenca canton was 417,632 inhabitants, of which 267,000 constitute the urban population (i.e., the population of the city proper). The economic development is based on industry and agricultural development. Cuenca has a long lasting reputation for being a university city. It hosts eight universities, the oldest and best known one being University of Cuenca (Universidad de Cuenca), a public university with about 12,000 students.

Geography & location

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 nine hours south of Quito and four hours east of Guayaquil. The city ranges from 2,350 to 2,550 meters above sea level. The dominant features of the city's geography are also the source of its name: the four rivers of Cuenca. These rivers are the Tomebamba, Yanuncay, Tarqui and Machangara, in order of importance. The first three of these rivers originate in the Páramo of Parque Nacional Cajas to the west of the city. These four rivers are part of the Amazon river watershed. Cuenca (meaning a basin caused by a confluence of rivers) is surrounded by mountains on all sides, with passes to the west, south and east.

Climate

Like the rest of the Ecuadorian Andes, Cuenca enjoys a mild climate year-round. Days are generally warm and nights are cool enough that sweaters or jackets are needed. The average daily temperature is 14.6 degrees Celsius. There are two seasons: rainy and dry. The dry season, with some variation, falls between June and December. The rainy season, which is characterized by bright sunny mornings and afternoon showers, falls between January and May. The heaviest rains come in the invierno of March, April and May.

Sights

Historic Centre of Santa Ana de los Ríos de Cuenca

UNESCO World Heritage Site
File:Cuenca1.jpg Cuenca's stone streets.
Criteria	Cultural: ii, iv, v
Reference	863
Inscription	1999 (23rd Session)

Most tourists visit the historic area, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, between the river Tomebamba and the street 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 6th - Epiphany Day), or in the commemoration of the independence of the city (November 3rd), 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)

It was built in 1557, but soon was too small for the faithful of the town. In 1880, they decided to build a temple to replace it. At the present time, the old cathedral is in process of restoration. It is no longer consecrated and is operated as a museum.

• New cathedral (official name: Catedral Metropolitana de la Inmaculada Concepción)

Its towers are truncated due to a calculation error of the architect. If they had been raised to their planned height, the foundation of this church to the Immaculate Concepcion, would not have been able to bear the weight. In spite of the architect's immense mistake, the New Cathedral of Cuenca is a monumental work of faith that began to be built in 1880. It is in Neo-Gothic style, and its blue and white domes have become a symbol for the city. Its facade is made of alabaster and local marble, while the floor is covered with pink marble, brought from Carrara (Italy).When the Cathedral was first constructed 9,000 out of Cuenca's 10,000 inhabitants could fit.

• Park Abdon Calderon

It is 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 facade and a golden pulpit make the church very attractive.

• Monastery and Museum of La Concepcion

Tombs of the XVII century and a complete collection of religious art are part of this exhibition.

• 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.
• Ruinas de todos los santos

In this old place, four niches of Inca origin exist. Their form is trapezoidal and they are built of stone. There are also remains of a colonial mill.

• 
  Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception
• 
  Street in Cuenca

Surroundings

• Molleturo

Molleturo is a vast rural area (about 1000 square kilometres) situated in Ecuador’s southern Andes, and composed of several little villages (hamlets). The centre of the area is located at 1.5 hours of distance in car from the nearest bigger city (Cuenca). In fact, this distance is very little compared to ten years ago when there was no road for cars and it took people 3 days of mule riding to get to Cuenca. In spite of the advantages, the road had also very negative impacts on the ecological system, which is still very important for people's daily survival.

• Jima

The community of Jima is located near Cuenca and is a hiking hotspot for Southern Ecuador. Jima is located at the base of two beautiful green mountains at 8,800 feet. 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

Less than 50 kilometers from Cuenca, town of Cañari origin, known for its weavers, embroiderers and potters. In the same area there is a stone corridor in snake form, built in pre-Inca time, known for gold and silver smiths and local jewelry.

• El Cajas

View of Cajas National Park

A national park where the rivers, streams and lagoons seem to unite, to create a temple of nature, in which the altitude varies from the 3500 to the 4200 m.a.s.l. It is a place for bird watchers and trout fishermen.

Lacs en miroir (Mirrored lakes) in Cajas National Park

• Azogues

Azogues is the capital of Cañar Province, 29 kilometers separate it from Cuenca. In this city of colonial atmosphere, one of the highlights is San Francisco's convent, built on the summit of a huaca (sacred mountain) of the prehispanic residents.

• Cañar plantation

Their coloring market and the near ruins of Ingapirca (wall of Inca stone), are their biggest attractions. Cañar plantation is located 65 kilometers from Cuenca and it is usually the starting point for the trips to the famous ruins that, according to the experts, were used to control the native Cañaris. Stores, bathrooms, a tambo for the Inca, a temple dedicated to the sun, they are part of Ingapirca that was built in the XV century by orders of Huayna Capac.

Transport

Bus Station

Cuenca's inter-provincial 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 municipal 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 and towns, 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, a scenic ride through the Cajas National Park. Quito is 497 km from Cuenca and the trip takes around 10 hours on the Road Pan-American South. 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

Airport

The airport, named Aeropuerto Mariscal Lamar, is located due east of the Terminal Terrestre on Avenida España. It's a 5-minute walk from the bus station. Three airlines serve Cuenca in 2007; TAME and AeroGal fly to Quito and Guayaquil daily, while Icaro Air connects only to Quito.

External links

• Official Web Site from Cuenca Ecuador and the people from Cuenca (Spanish)

• Official Travel Guide To Cuenca, with maps, hotels, restaurants, photos & more information about Cuenca
• Cuenca government
• Cuenca on Wikitravel
• Universidad del azuay
• Cultura, tradición y turismo de Cuenca - Ecuador
• Map of Cuenca - Complete Guide of Cuenca - Ecuador, Hotels, Fun...