Cajabamba, Ecuador facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Villa la Union
Kashapampa
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 Cajabamba, Ecuador
Location in Ecuador
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| Country |  Ecuador |
| Province | [[File:|22x20px|border |alt=|link=]] Chimborazo Province |
| Canton | Colta Canton |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1.95 km2 (0.75 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 3,212 m (10,538 ft) |
| Population | |
| • Total | 2,785 |
| • Density | 1,428/km2 (3,699/sq mi) |
| Time zone | ECT |
Cajabamba, also known as Villa la Unión, is a historic town in Ecuador. It is located in the Chimborazo Province and serves as the main town for the Colta Canton. The name Cajabamba comes from the Kichwa language, where Kashapampa means "thorn plain." This area has a very long and interesting history, going back thousands of years!
Contents
Ancient History of Cajabamba
Before the Inca Empire
The valley where Cajabamba is located has been home to people for a very long time. Before the powerful Inca Empire grew, this area was settled by an ancient group called the Puruhá people. Their capital city was known as Liribamba.
The Inca Takeover
As the Inca Empire expanded, it eventually reached this region. By the time of the Inca ruler Wayna Qhapaq, the area was fully under Inca control. The Puruhá people became part of the vast Inca Empire.
Spanish Arrival and Resistance
After the Spanish conquistadors arrived in South America, they captured and later killed the Inca leader Atahualpa. This led to strong resistance against the Spanish. An Inca general named Rumiñawi led his troops to this region to fight back.
Rumiñawi and his forces fought many battles against the Spanish. The Spanish also made alliances with other local groups, like the Cañari people, who had recently been conquered by the Incas. Facing a likely defeat, Rumiñawi made a difficult decision. He ordered the city of Liribamba to be burned. He also commanded that the Inca treasures be hidden or destroyed so the Spanish could not take them.
Founding of New Cities
Santiago de Quito is Born
Soon after Liribamba was burned, in August 1534, a Spanish conquistador named Diego de Almagro founded a new city on its ashes. He named it Santiago de Quito. This was the very first city founded by the Spanish in what is now Ecuador.
Quito Moves and Riobamba Appears
By the end of that same year, the Inca resistance had mostly ended. General Rumiñawi was captured after a battle near the volcanic mountain Chimborazo. Not long after, the city of Quito was moved to its current location, which is where the capital of Ecuador stands today.
The city in the valley was then renamed by its founders to Villa de Riobamba. This name means "plain on the journey," possibly because it was a central point for travelers.
Cajabamba Today
The Great Earthquake of 1797
In 1797, a huge earthquake, measuring 8.3 in strength, completely destroyed Villa de Riobamba. Because of this disaster, the city was moved about 20 kilometers away to a new location.
Birth of Villa La Unión
Even after the city moved, some small groups of people stayed behind at the original sites. These communities were known as Cajabamba and Sicalpa. In 1884, these two areas decided to separate from the larger city of Riobamba. They joined together to form a new village called Villa La Unión. Today, this village is commonly known as Cajabamba.
See also
In Spanish: Cajabamba (Ecuador) para niños
