Atuntaqui

Atuntaqui
Country	Ecuador
Population  (2008)
• Total	21,000
Climate	Csb

Atuntaqui is a city of 21,000 inhabitants in the Imbabura Province in the northern region of Ecuador. The small canton of Imbabura is located just ten minutes from Ibarra, north along the Panamericana. Although the sector name is Antonio Ante, those who visit or have heard of it identify it more as Atuntaqui, a name that has acquired several meanings through history. According to Father Juan de Velasco, it is composed of two words - hatun (large) and taqui (drum), i.e. 'big drum'. Jacinto Jijón y Caamano identifies it as a 'land rich in truth'; González Suárez rejects this meaning and translates it as 'big barn'. Others call it 'place of the inn' or 'tightly closed town'.

Climate

The climate is dry and mild and it has an average annual temperature of 18^o C.

Economy

On August 16, 1868 Atuntaqui was partially destroyed by an earthquake that left thousands dead and homeless. After its reconstruction and its subsequent development, the textile factory, which set up an hydroelectric plant on the banks of the Ambi river and the arrival of the railway in the town of Andrade Marín, located 2.5 km east of Atuntaqui, became especially important. Since 2000, it has been noted for its textiles and crafts. Every year the Atuntaqui Expo takes place here in the Carnival holidays, a day on which the city hosts a large number of visitors (140,000 visitors in the 2009 edition), who come to make purchases.

Government

The Local Government is the Municipal Council located in the Atuntaqui central square.

Tourism

Atuntaqui has great tourism potential, offering textiles, crafts, cuisine and culture, a varied and interesting mix to be enjoyed all year round.

Sources

• World-Gazetteer.com