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Ambato (full form, San Juan de Ambato) is a city in the centre of Ecuador, lying on the banks of the Ambato River. It is the capital of the province of Tungurahua, at an elevation of 2,577 meters above sea level. The population is 354,095 (INEC, 2007). It is variously nicknamed "City of Flowers and Fruit", "Cradle of the Three Juans", and "Garden of Ecuador." Inhabitants of Ambato are called Ambateños. The name Ambato comes from the name of several species of toad (jambato). These toads are now either endangered or extinct.

The city has been fully or partially destroyed by earthquakes several times in its history, most recently on August 5, 1949 when the city and its cathedral were almost completely levelled. The city was rebuilt in the two years following. In honour of the tenacity of the resident Ambateños, the city celebrates the Festival of Fruits and Flowers during Carnival in February. Today, the Festival of Fruits and Flowers is one of the most important in Ecuador.

The city is referred to as "Cradle of the Three Juans" as it was the birthplace of three notable Ecuadorians: Juan Montalvo, a noted essayist of the 19th century, Juan León Mera, the author of the country's national anthem, and Juan Benigno Vela, a key figure in the Ecuadorean independance movement.

History

The city of Ambato was founded in its present location on December 6, 1698 as the Seat of Ambato, on the request of Ambateños to the Royal Audience of Quito. The city declared independance from Spain on November 12, 1820. Ambato was the seat of the first printing press in Ecuador; this was originally installed in 1670 by Jesuit missionaries to print copies of the Bible. This press was moved to the San Luis Seminary in Quito later that century.

The Great Earthquake of 1949

Ambato was completely destroyed by a large earthquake on the afternoon of August 5, 1949. Tragically, the entire city and surrounding villages were reduced to rubble; in total 50 towns and villages were destroyed. Six thousand people died, and thousands more were left homeless and destitute by the disaster. The city, previously held to be one of the jewels of Ecuador, began the hard and painful process of rescuing those trapped in the fallen buildings. Aid arrived not only from Ecuador, but other countries of the world as well.

Among the dead were a group of children preparing to receive their first communion in the main church, and in the central Montalvo Park, the trees and flowers had disappeared into a rift in the earth. So many dead were found that there was not enough room in the city's central cemetary for them all; these people were buried in remains of the park. More than half of the buildings of the city were ruined, and from the terrifying experience the survivors sought refuge in the city's plazas. Earthquake-proofing the city became a main concern of the inhabitants, and they threw themselves into the endeavour with great fervor - the disaster had united them as nothing else could, and the city moved forward. The towers of the main church, which were the only part that remained standing, were pulled down, and the entire city was rebuilt from the ground up.

Ambato was rebuilt in just under two years. Although the planning of the city may leave something to be desired, it is certainly one of the most earthquake-resistant places on earth, and has since grown into one of the most important cities in Ecuador. As the historic colonial buildings of Ambato were nearly all destroyed, the city has a more modern look than most Ecuadorian capitals; detractors lament the loss of ornament, and pragmatists point out that Ambato is now a major commercial center, and looks like it.

The Festival of Fruits and Flowers

External links

1°14′30″S 78°37′11″W / 1.24167°S 78.61972°W / -1.24167; -78.61972

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 {{Expand Spanish|Ambato|topic=geo|date=March 2009}}
 [[Image:Ecuador Ambato MonumentJuanMontalvo.JPG|thumb|Monument of Juan Montalvo in [[Ambato]], Ecuador]]
-'''Ambato''' (full form, '''San Juan de Ambato''') is a city in the centre of [[Ecuador]], lying on the banks of the [[Ambato River]]. It is the capital of the province of [[Tungurahua Province|Tungurahua]], at an elevation of 2,577 meters above sea level. The population is 354,095 (INEC, 2007).
+'''Ambato''' (full form, '''San Juan de Ambato''') is a city in the centre of [[Ecuador]], lying on the banks of the [[Ambato River]]. It is the capital of the province of [[Tungurahua Province|Tungurahua]], at an elevation of 2,577 meters above sea level. The population is 354,095 (INEC, 2007).  It is variously nicknamed "City of Flowers and Fruit", "Cradle of the Three Juans", and "Garden of Ecuador."  Inhabitants of Ambato are called Ambateños.  The name ''Ambato'' comes from the name of several species of toad (jambato).  These  toads are now either endangered or extinct.
+The city has been fully or partially destroyed by earthquakes several times in its history, most recently on [[August 5]], [[1949]] when the city and its cathedral were almost completely levelled.  The city was rebuilt in the two years following.  In honour of the tenacity of the resident Ambateños, the city celebrates the Festival of Fruits and Flowers during [[Carnival]] in February.  Today, the Festival of Fruits and Flowers is one of the most important in Ecuador.
-The city is a leading commercial and transportation center in a fertile region near the northern foot of the [[Tungurahua]] [[volcano]], which is still active and erupted in August 2006. On Mondays, the city hosts one of the largest fruit, vegetable, and meat markets in the country. Ambato is also home to the famous "''Fiesta de las Flores y de las Frutas''" (Flowers and Fruits Festival) in February. The Fruit and Flowers Festival began as a way to recover from the tragic earthquake of 5 August 1949.  It is now a major tourist attraction held in the city. During this time schools and businesses close for different varieties of parades and shows, and a "Queen of Ambato" is also chosen from representatives of each high school, some government offices, and the police force.
+The city is referred to as "Cradle of the Three Juans" as it was the birthplace of three notable Ecuadorians:  [[Juan Montalvo]], a noted [[essayist]] of the 19th century, [[Juan León Mera]], the author of the country's [[national anthem]], and Juan Benigno Vela, a key figure in the Ecuadorean independance movement.
-The earthquake of 5 August 1949 destroyed most of the city, leaving few buildings of the colonial era.
+==History==
-Landmarks include the mausoleum of [[Juan Montalvo]], the estate of Juan León Mera, and the white [[Ambato Cathedral]].
+The city of Ambato was founded in its present location on [[December 6]], [[1698]] as the Seat of Ambato, on the request of Ambateños to the [[Royal Audience of Quito]].  The city declared independance from [[Spain]] on [[November 12]], [[1820]].  Ambato was the seat of the first [[printing press]] in Ecuador; this was originally installed in [[1670]] by [[Jesuit]] [[missionaries]] to print copies of the [[Bible]].  This press was moved to the San Luis Seminary in [[Quito]] later that century.
+==The Great Earthquake of 1949==
+Ambato was completely destroyed by a large earthquake on the afternoon of [[August 5]], [[1949]].  Tragically, the entire city and surrounding [[villages]] were reduced to rubble; in total 50 towns and villages were destroyed.  Six thousand people died, and thousands more were left [[homeless]] and destitute by the disaster.  The city, previously held to be one of the jewels of Ecuador, began the hard and painful process of rescuing those trapped in the fallen buildings.  Aid arrived not only from Ecuador, but other countries of the world as well.
+Among the dead were a group of children preparing to receive their [[first communion]] in the main church, and in the central Montalvo Park, the trees and flowers had disappeared into a rift in the earth.  So many dead were found that there was not enough room in the city's central cemetary for them all; these people were buried in remains of the park.  More than half of the buildings of the city were ruined, and from the terrifying experience the survivors sought refuge in the city's plazas.  Earthquake-proofing the city became a main concern of the inhabitants, and they threw themselves into the endeavour with great fervor - the disaster had united them as nothing else could, and the city moved forward.  The towers of the main church, which were the only part that remained standing, were pulled down, and the entire city was rebuilt from the ground up.
+Ambato was rebuilt in just under two years.  Although the planning of the city may leave something to be desired, it is certainly one of the most earthquake-resistant places on earth, and has since grown into one of the most important cities in Ecuador.  As the historic colonial buildings of Ambato were nearly all destroyed, the city has a more modern look than most Ecuadorian capitals; detractors lament the loss of ornament, and pragmatists point out that Ambato is now a major commercial center, and looks like it.
+==The Festival of Fruits and Flowers==
-Ambato is also where, on 12 November 1821, [[Antonio José de Sucre]] achieved a major victory over the Spanish Royalist Army during the war for independence. This date is now an official holiday in the city.
-Famous people from Ambato include master painter [[Aníbal Villacís]] and professional [[poker]] player [[Carlos Mortensen]].
-The name Ambato comes from the name of several species of toad (jambato).  These  toads are either endangered or extinct.
 ==External links==

v t e Provincial capitals in Ecuador
Within regions, north to south
Insular	Puerto Baquerizo
Costa	Esmeraldas Portoviejo Babahoyo Guayaquil Santa Elena Santo Domingo Machala
Sierra	Tulcán Ibarra Quito Latacunga Ambato Guaranda Riobamba Azogues Cuenca Loja
Oriente	Nueva Loja (Lago Agrio) Puerto Francisco de Orellana (Coca) Tena Puyo Macas Zamora