Riobamba facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Riobamba
City
San Pedro de Riobamba
From top, left to right: Panoramic view of the city, monument to Pedro Vicente Maldonado, sculpture of Neptune, Primera Constituyente Street, Catedral de San Pedro, monument to Edmundo Chiriboga, Maldonado High School, Riobamba railway station, Chimborazo volcano and Monumental Raúl Dávalos bullring.
Flag
Riobamba Location in Ecuador
Country	Ecuador
Province	[[File:|22x20px|border |alt=|link=]] Chimborazo
Canton	Riobamba
Founded	August 15, 1534
Relocation	1799
Founded by	Diego de Almagro
Parishes	Urban Parishes Lizarzaburu Maldonado Velasco Veloz Yaruquíes
Area
• City	32.93 km2 (12.71 sq mi)
Elevation	2,754 m (9,035 ft)
Population  (2022 census)
• City	177,213
• Density	5,381.5/km2 (13,938.0/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC-5 (ECT)

Riobamba (pronounced "ree-oh-BAM-bah") is a city in central Ecuador. Its full name is San Pedro de Riobamba. It is the capital of Chimborazo Province.

The city is located in the Chambo River Valley, high up in the Andes mountains. It sits about 2,754 meters (9,035 feet) above sea level. Riobamba is about 200 kilometers (124 miles) south of Ecuador's capital, Quito.

Riobamba is an important transport hub in the region. The Pan-American Highway passes through the city. It is also one of the biggest cities in the central part of Ecuador's Sierra region.

What's in a Name?

The name Riobamba comes from two words. Rio is a Spanish word meaning "river." Rispampa is a Quechua word meaning "plain." So, Riobamba means "river plain."

A Look Back: Riobamba's History

Before the Spanish arrived, the area around Riobamba was home to the Puruhá people. They strongly resisted the Inca Empire when it tried to conquer their lands in the late 1400s.

The Inca leader Huayna Capac eventually made a deal with the Puruhá. He also allied with the Caran-Quitu people. An old historian, Juan de Velasco, wrote about these groups. Huayna Capac married Princess Paccha, and their son was Atahualpa, the last Inca king.

Founding and Rebuilding

After the Spanish took over the Inca Empire, Riobamba was founded on August 15, 1534. It was started by Diego de Almagro. This makes it the first city established in what is now Ecuador.

In 1563, the city became part of the Spanish Empire. It was part of the new Royal Audience of Quito.

A big earthquake in 1797 completely destroyed the city. But it was rebuilt a few years later. The new location was about 14 kilometers (9 miles) from the original site. It was near a village called Cajabamba. Today, Riobamba still has many buildings from the Spanish colonial time.

Independence and Modern Times

During the fight for independence, Riobamba declared itself free on November 11, 1820. However, Spanish forces soon took it back.

In 1822, the city became part of Gran Colombia. This large country had just gained independence from Spain. Then, in 1830, Ecuador became its own independent nation.

In 1952, the Monumental Raúl Dávalos bullring opened in Riobamba. It can hold 13,000 people. In 2011, Ecuador voted to stop matadors from killing bulls in these events. This change has affected tourism, especially in Quito.

In 2002, there was an accident at a military storage area in Riobamba. Several people were hurt, and some lost their lives. The army later said it was an accident at a munitions factory.

Where is Riobamba?

Riobamba is in the middle of Ecuador, in the mountain region. It is very close to the Chimborazo volcano.

Like many cities in Ecuador, Riobamba has a steady temperature all year. It has a wet season and a dry season. Because it is high up (2,754 meters or 9,035 feet) and near Chimborazo, the city stays cool. Temperatures usually range from 14°C to 23°C (57°F to 73°F).

Riobamba's Climate

Riobamba's Economy

The city's economy relies on farming from the areas around it. Riobamba is also a major center for trading cattle.

The city has a lively open-air market. Here, local artists and craftspeople sell their handmade goods. You can find things like woven fabrics, leather items, and local foods.

Learning in Riobamba

Riobamba is home to several universities and colleges. These include:

• Universidad Nacional de Chimborazo
• Escuela Superior Politecnica de Chimborazo (considered the best in the city)
• Universidad Politécnica Salesiana
• Universidad San Francisco de Quito
• Instituto Tecnologico superior Isabel de Godin

Exploring the City

Riobamba is a mid-sized city in Ecuador. It is the tenth largest in terms of how many people live there. The city center has many old churches that are well-preserved.

Festivals and Celebrations

The main celebration in Riobamba is the Fiesta del Niño Rey de Reyes. This festival starts in December and ends on January 6, which is Epiphany. Another important day is Riobamba's Independence Day on April 21.

Sculpture of Saint Anthony of Padua (17th century) at the Museum of the Concepción.

Museums to Visit

Riobamba has several interesting museums:

• Arte Religioso de la Concepción: This museum displays religious art from the 1700s. It also has a special gold item called a monstrance, decorated with gems.
• Museum Córdoba Román: This museum started with a private collection of old art, historical items, and documents. The Cordoba Roman family gave it to the city.
• Armas: This museum shows many types of weapons and old uniforms. It also has religious items from different times in Ecuador's history.
• Casa de Bolívar
• Antropológico del Banco Central
• Museum y Centro Cultural Riobamba del Banco Central
• Museum "Paquita Jaramillo"
• Museum "Cultural Fernando Daquilema"
• Museum Didáctico de Ciencias Naturales: This natural science museum is at Pedro Vicente Maldonado high school.

Sports and Outdoor Fun

Riobamba is home to a top football (soccer) club called Centro Deportivo Olmedo.

Cockfights are sometimes held during festivals and on weekends.

Riobamba is known as the capital for trekking and mountain climbing in Ecuador. It is a starting point for climbs up mountains like Carihuairazo, Chimborazo, Sangay, El Altar, and the Lost Pyramid of Puñay. Mountain biking is also a popular sport here.

Sightseeing Adventures

You can take a scenic train ride called Nariz Del Diablo (Devil's Nose) from Riobamba. The train goes past the Devil's Nose and Alausí. It uses zig-zag tracks to go up and down steep hills.

Famous People from Riobamba

Many notable people have come from Riobamba, including:

• Pedro Vicente Maldonado (1704–1748) – A scientist, astronomer, and geographer.
• Magdalena Dávalos y Maldonado (1725–1806) – A scholar, writer, painter, and musician.
• Juan de Velasco (1727–1792) – A Jesuit priest, historian, and writer.
• Luz Elisa Borja Martínez (1903–1927) – A poet, pianist, painter, and sculptor.
• Luis A Costales (1926–2006) – A poet, philosopher, and politician.
• María Murgueytio (1927–2016) – The first woman to be a mayor in Ecuador.
• Pacifico Chiriboga (1810–1886) – An early Ecuadorian politician.
• Bolívar Echeverría (1941–2010) – A philosopher and cultural critic.
• Euler Granda (1935–2018) – A poet, writer, and psychiatrist.
• Oswaldo Moncayo (1923–1984) – A painter.
• Oswaldo Muñoz Mariño (1923–2016) – An architect and painter.

Images for kids

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  Cathedral

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  Iglesia de la Concepción

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  Loma de Quito's Church

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  The Chimborazo volcano

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  Neptune statue

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  Los Altares mountains

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  Maldonado's Park

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  Luis Costales monument

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  “ Riobamba, the beautiful, great and noble, has been and is glory and fortune, for those who were born in it. “ - Luis A Costales

See Also

In Spanish: Riobamba para niños