Cuenca, Ecuador facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Cuenca
|
|||
|---|---|---|---|
|
City
|
|||
| Cuenca, Ecuador | |||
_from_Turi.jpg)
Panoramic view of Cuenca, Ecuador, from Turi area
|
|||
|
|||
| Nickname(s):
Atenas del Ecuador (Athens of Ecuador)
|
|||
 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 |
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 |
||
| 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) | ||
.png)
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.
Contents
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
.jpg)
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
-
River Tomebamba next to the city centre
-
Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception.
-
Museo Banco Central Cuenca
-
View of Cajas National Park
-
Lacs en miroir (Mirrored lakes) in Cajas National Park
-
Street view of Simón Bolívar Street, named after Simón Bolívar, next to Calderón Park, in the Historical Center.
-
Street view of, Tranvía de Cuenca
-
Street view from top deck, 2nd floor view. double decker bus in Cuenca, Ecuador
See also
In Spanish: Cuenca (Ecuador) para niños
