Ibarra, Ecuador facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ibarra
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City
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| San Miguel de Ibarra | ||
From top, left to right: View of the city and the Imbabura Volcano, Obelisk of Ibarra, Basilica of Sorrowful Mother, Yahuarcocha lagoon, Basilica of Our Lady of Mercy, El Cuartel Cultural Center, Church and square of Saint Augustine and the House of Iberreñidad.
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| Nickname(s):
La Ciudad Blanca (The White City)
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 Ibarra
Location in Ecuador
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| Country | Ecuador | |
| Province | Imbabura | |
| Canton | Ibarra Canton | |
| Founded | 28 September 1606 | |
| Re-founded | 28 April 1872 | |
| Founded by | Cristóbal de Troya y Pinque | |
| Named for | San Miguel de Ibarra | |
| Parishes |
Urban Parishes
Alpachaca
Caranqui La Dolorosa del Priorato El Sagrario San Francisco |
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| Area | ||
| • City | 41.26 km2 (15.93 sq mi) | |
| Elevation | 2,225 m (7,300 ft) | |
| Population
(2022 census)
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| • City | 157,941 | |
| • Density | 3,827.9/km2 (9,914.3/sq mi) | |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (ECT) | |
| Postal code |
EC100150
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| Area code(s) | (+593) 6 | |
| Climate | Csb | |
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Ibarra, also known as San Miguel de Ibarra, is a lively city in northern Ecuador. It's the capital of the Imbabura Province, which means it's the main city there. You can find Ibarra nestled at the base of the Imbabura Volcano and next to the Tahuando River. It's about 70 kilometers (43 miles) northeast of Ecuador's capital city, Quito.
Contents
History of Ibarra
Founding and Early Days
Ibarra was officially started in 1606. This happened because Miguel de Ibarra, who was in charge of the Royal Audience of Quito, ordered it. The city was planned carefully, and many public buildings were constructed. This included a lot of churches.
Earthquake and Rebuilding
Sadly, a big earthquake hit Ibarra in 1868. It destroyed most of the city's buildings. After this terrible event, the city was rebuilt and officially re-established in 1872. Because of this new start, Ibarra is sometimes called the youngest city in Ecuador.
Ancient Connections
Did you know that the famous Inca ruler Atahualpa is believed to have been born near Ibarra? His birthplace was in an Inca settlement called Inca-Caranqui, which is only about 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) from the city.
Traditional Ice Cream
Ibarra is also famous for a special treat called Helados de paila. This is handmade ice cream or sorbet. It was first made here a very long time ago, even before the Incas arrived! People used snow or ice from the nearby Imbabura Volcano to make it. They would stir fruit juices in a large bronze pan, surrounded by ice, to freeze them. You can still find this delicious ice cream in markets today.
Ibarra Today
A Growing City
Today, Ibarra is a busy market city. More and more tourists are discovering it. Even with its growing popularity, Ibarra still feels like a true Ecuadorian city. It has a special mix of people, including Mestizos, Amerindians (many from the Otavalo people), and Afro-Ecuadorians.
Nickname and Attractions
Ibarra is known for its pleasant weather. It also has many colonial houses painted white, which is why it's nicknamed "The White City." You'll find charming cobbled streets too. The Santo Domingo church in town has a museum with many interesting paintings. The city is also home to the main church for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Ibarra.
Festivals and Celebrations
Markets are held every Saturday in Ibarra. The biggest celebration is the Fiesta de los Lagos, which takes place on the last weekend of September. There are also two colorful parades called El Pregón and Virgen del Carmen held every year on July 16th.
Things to Do
Besides the markets and festivals, Ibarra offers many restaurants. They specialize in tasty local cuisine. You can also find clubs and discos for entertainment. For those who love adventure, there's even a paragliding club!
City Leadership
Andrea Scacco was elected as the mayor of Ibarra in 2019. She planned to help reduce prejudice and create a safe place for women in the city.
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Climate in Ibarra
Ibarra has a warm-summer Mediterranean climate. This is unusual for a place so close to the equator! It happens because the city is high up in the Ecuadorian Andes, about 2,225 meters (7,300 feet) above sea level. This high elevation makes the temperatures cooler.
The dry and warm season in Ibarra is from June to September. Even though it's technically winter in the Southern Hemisphere, because Ibarra is just north of the equator, this season feels like summer. The weather here is mild and pleasant all year round.
| Climate data for Ibarra (Atahualpa Airport), elevation 2,228 m (7,310 ft), (1971–2000) | |||||||||||||
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| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 21.7 (71.1) |
21.6 (70.9) |
21.8 (71.2) |
21.8 (71.2) |
22.1 (71.8) |
22.2 (72.0) |
22.8 (73.0) |
23.1 (73.6) |
23.4 (74.1) |
22.4 (72.3) |
21.8 (71.2) |
21.8 (71.2) |
22.2 (72.0) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 10.9 (51.6) |
11.0 (51.8) |
11.2 (52.2) |
11.6 (52.9) |
10.8 (51.4) |
10.4 (50.7) |
9.8 (49.6) |
9.4 (48.9) |
9.9 (49.8) |
10.8 (51.4) |
11.0 (51.8) |
11.0 (51.8) |
10.7 (51.2) |
| Average precipitation mm (inches) | 30.0 (1.18) |
57.0 (2.24) |
67.0 (2.64) |
84.0 (3.31) |
55.0 (2.17) |
38.0 (1.50) |
18.0 (0.71) |
13.0 (0.51) |
28.0 (1.10) |
79.0 (3.11) |
80.0 (3.15) |
47.0 (1.85) |
596 (23.47) |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 81 | 82 | 83 | 83 | 81 | 79 | 74 | 73 | 76 | 80 | 84 | 84 | 80 |
| Source: FAO | |||||||||||||
Sister Cities
Ibarra has "sister city" relationships with other cities around the world. This means they share cultural ties and friendly connections.
- Winchester, Kentucky
- Etawah, Uttar Pradesh, India
See also
In Spanish: Ibarra (Ecuador) para niños
