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Cuenca, Ecuador facts for kids

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Cuenca
City
Cuenca, Ecuador
Panoramic view of Cuenca, Ecuador, from Turi area
Panoramic view of Cuenca, Ecuador, from Turi area
Flag of Cuenca
Flag
Coat of arms of Cuenca
Coat of arms
Nickname(s): 
Atenas del Ecuador (Athens of Ecuador)
Cuenca is located in Ecuador
Cuenca
Cuenca
Location in Ecuador
Country Ecuador
Province Azuay
Canton Cuenca Canton
Founded April 12, 1557
Founded by Gil Ramírez Dávalos
Named for Cuenca, Spain
Parishes
Area
 • City 70.59 km2 (27.25 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
 (2015)INEC estimates
 • City 400,000
 • Density 5,700/km2 (14,700/sq mi)
 • Metro
700,000
  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 cuenca, areas urbanas of azogues , biblian and deleg in the cañar province. Gualaceo and Paute in the azuay province.
Demonym(s) Cuencan
Time zone UTC-5 (ECT)
Postal code
010150
Area code(s) (+593) 07
Climate Cfb
Website Official website: http://www.cuenca.gov.ec/ (Spanish)

The city of Cuenca — in full, Santa Ana de los Cuatro Ríos de Cuenca — is the capital of the Azuay Province. It is widely regarded as the most European city in the country of Ecuador due to its 16th and 17th century era Spanish colonial architecture resembling cities and architecture throughout Spain. The city of Cuenca is located in the highlands of Ecuador at about 2,500 metres (8,200 feet) above sea level, with an urban population of approximately 400,000 rising to 700,000 inhabitants in the larger metropolitan area. The centre of the city is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Trust site due to its many historical buildings.

History

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 nomads, following the animals and seasons. Their culture is represented by tools such as arrows and spears, which have been found throughout the Andean valley. The culture was most present about 5585 BC.

Main sights

Municipio de Cuenca (Ecuador)
Cuenca City Hall in Bolívar Street

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 6 - Epiphany Day), or in the commemoration of the independence of the city (November 3), 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.

Images for kids

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Cuenca (Ecuador) para niños

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