Riobamba

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San Pedro de Riobamba
Nickname: 
La Sultana de los Andes
CountryEcuador
ProvinceChimborazo
CantonRiobamba
Government
 • MayorÁngel Ignacio Yánez Cabrera (MUPP-NP)
Population
 (2004)
 • Total13,000
Time zoneUTC-5 (EST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)


Riobamba is the capital of Chimborazo Province in central Ecuador, which is located at the Chambo River Valley of the Andes. [1] It's 200km (125 miles) south of Ecuador's capital Quito and located at 9, 000 feet on the Avenue of the Volcanoes. The city is surrounded by mountains and volcanoes, and if you sit at the foot of the Chimborazo volcano, you will get the world’s highest view from the center of the Earth.[2]


History

Riobamba is an important historic and cultural landmark of Ecuador. The region was a Puruhá Indian territory before it was conquered by the Incas during the late 15th century. It was the first city founded by the Spaniards in Ecuador, so it has reserved an abundant history and architectures until today. [3]The “Sultan of the Andes” was founded in 1530 and completely destroyed by earthquake in 1797. A few years later, people rebuilt it 14 km (9 miles) away from its original location, near a village named Cajabamba.

By the late 1830s Riobamba became a turning point of the independence of Ecuador. It was a strategic city, where many Ecuadorian illustrious heroes, generals and commanders met, guided by their spirit of gaining freedom from the Great Colombia. Finally in 1830 the convention which proclaimed Ecuador's independence took place, it gave this country a new breath of relief, and a sense of responsibility of fighting for this hard duty at the same time.

Geography

Lying at the center of the country, Riobamba is conveniently located at the crossroads between the highlands, the coast and the jungle.

Volcanoes

Chimborazo

Chimborazo is located in the Inter-Andean Cord, a north-northeast trend structural depression that separates the Western and Eastern Mountain Chain of the Andes. It is a quaternary volcano that has not ever erupted in the history. Its peak is 6,310 m (20,700 feet) above the sea level.[4]. It has a colossal shape which immediately makes altitude problems to the mountaineers. Fortunately, the first refuge is drivable via car so only experienced climbers would attempt this kind of risks, while they try to conquer this amazing snow-capped mountain through the northwest or the southwest face.[5]

Sangay

At 5,350m, Sangay is one of the most active volcanos in the Andes, the mountain leans inside the Sangay National Park.[6] Sangay has been erupting virtually and continuously since 1934. Its eruptions are noisy and frequently emit ash. In 1976, an explosion dropped blocks up to 35 cm (14 inches) in diameter that killed two people and injured many too. The first documented eruption of Sangay was in 1628. [7]

Altar

Standing at 5405m (17,730 feet), Altar is the fifth highest volcano in Ecuador.[8] It is an extinct, covered with ice and snow, volcano in the middle of Ecuador. It contains many different colored lakes and a great diversity of valleys. Altar contains a lake that sends a small flow of water from its boiler, which is full of caves. Its abundant peaks resemble the shape of a colonial church’s altar. Seeing the mountain as a huge cathedral, Spaniards named it El Altar. The highest peak is Bishop, also called “Capac Urcu,” which means "Almighty Mountain."[9]

Demography

Beyond its historical dimension, Chimborazo is considered the most indigenous province in Ecuador and retains a unique cultural mélange. More than five hundred indigenous communities contribute to Chimborazo’s ethnic diversity, and have successfully lead a national indigenous movement. Riobamba’s colorful and picturesque markets, its street life and cultural traditions are testimony to this strong and diverse indigenous presence.[10]

Economy

The economy of this city is mainly focus on the agricultural production of the surrounding local populations. Besides this, Riobamba has an open-air market where indigenous artisans display their wares, where people can find manufactured products as textiles, handicrafts, leather goods, beer, and dairy products. meantime, this city is an important trade center of cattle-ranching.

Education

Schools

Maldonado College in Riobamba
  • Colegio Maria Auxiliadora
  • Colegio Amelia Gallegos Díaz
  • Colegio Angel Polibio Chaves
  • Colegio Camilo Gallegos Toledo
  • Colegio Carlos Cisneros
  • Unidad Educativa Cristiana "VERBO"
  • Colegio de las Madres Franciscanas
  • Colegio 10 de Noviembre
  • Colegio La Salle
  • Colegio Nacional de Señoritas Riobamba
  • Colegio Nacional Pedro Carbo
  • Colegio Ruffo Di Donato Chiriboga
  • Colegio Salesiano Santo Tomás Apóstol
  • Colegio San Felipe Neri
  • Colegio San Pedro de Guanujo
  • Colegio Técnico Nacional Guaranda
  • Colegio Verbo Divino
  • Instituto ABC
  • Instituto John F. Kennedy
  • Maldonado
  • Marianas
  • Unidad Educativa Jefferson
  • Unidad Educativa Riverside

Universities

  • ESPOCH
  • Universidad Central
  • Universidad de Chimborazo
  • Universidad Salesiana
  • Universidad San Francisco de Quito
  • Instituto Tecnologico superior Isabel de godin

Services

Hotels

  • Hostería La Andaluza

It is a nice ranch with excellent views of the Altar and Tungurahua volcanos. Located 15 km along the Panamericana.

  • Hostería Abraspungu

A relaxing country house with restaurants, swimming pools, bars, and horse riding. Located along the road to Guano on km 3 1/2.

  • EI Cisne
  • Hotel Galpón
  • Hotel Zeus
  • Hotel Chimborazo
  • Segovia
  • Tren Dorado
  • Whymper[11]

Restaurants

  • GUS
  • El Charero
  • Bonny
  • Lentejitas "El Sabor"
  • El Mesón
  • El Pénjamo
  • El Fogón
  • Tambo de Oro
  • Monacco
  • Chifa Macau

Shopping

  • El Buho: Regional crafts.
  • Cacha: Wool sweaters, bags and other handicrafts.
  • Alta Montaña: Wood carvings and tagua amongst others.[12]

Entertainment

Night clubs and bars

  • Gens-Chop Bar: Varied music and videos.
  • Grin Livs: Disco-bar.
  • Milenium: International music.
  • Unicornio: Salsa and Piano-bar.
  • Vieja Guardia: Disco-bar.[13]

Festivals

The main celebration in Riobamba is Fiesta del Niño Rey de Reyes, which starts in December and ends on January 6. It has many colorful parades and music during the festivities. Another celebration is Riobamba's Independence Day on 21st of April. During those days people enjoy many concerts, drinking and lively parades. As most of the population don’t work during these festivals it is very difficult to find accommodation or any other service. The last festivity in Riobamba is its Foundation, which takes place at the 11th of November.[14]

Tourism

Places to visit

Museums

  • Ateno de Chimborazo

It is a privately run museum with sculptures, fine furniture, photographic materials, and documented memorabilia, located on Velasco 24-25 and Velóz.

  • Armas

It proudly exhibits a wide selection of uniforms, arms as well as various religious materials which depict various epochs of Ecuador's history and is located on Ave. Héroes de Tapi.

  • Arte Relegioso de la Concepción

It is the most prestigious of museums in Riobamba boasting the priceless huge and dramatic gem-encrusted gold monstrance that you will see in Ecuador and probably all of the South American continent. The art encased in this religious art collection is 18th Century and is worth hiring a guide who are paid in tips in addition to the humble US $2.00 entry.[15]

  • Ciecias Naturales del Colegio Maldonado
  • Casa de Bolivar
  • Córdova-Román
  • Antropológico del Banco Central
  • Etnográfico de la Casa de la Cultura

Churches

  • Catedral
  • Basílica del Sagrado Corazón de Jesús
  • Concepción
  • La Merced
  • San Antonio
  • San Alfonso
  • Casa Madre
  • Capilla del Colegio San Felipe Neri

Parks

  • Parque de Guayaquil a.k.a. Parque Infantil
  • Parque Barriga
  • Parque Loma de Quito a.k.a. Parque de los Enamorados
  • Parque Maldonado
  • Parque Sucre
  • Parque 21 de Abril
  • Parque La Libertad
  • Parque Ecologico

Sports

  • Climbing and trekking

Riobamba is a good base to climb Carihuairazo, Chimborazo, Sangay and Altar.

  • Ball games

There is a ball game in Riobamba called "the mamona", which is played with a leather ball. It is usually played by the locals all afternoons at the Plaza Roja.

  • Mountain biking
  • Swimming

People can practice this sport in CENAEST, where nice temperate swimming pools and Spa attract many tourists.

  • Cockfights

Cockfights are usually seen during Riobamba's festivities and on weekends at the Gallera San Francisco.[16]

Agencies

  • Metropolitan Touring
  • Julio Verne
  • Alta Montaña

Transport

Bus

In the main bus terminal as well as in the Oriente bus Terminal people can buy tickets for bus service to: Quito, Ambato, Baños, Puyo, Guayaquil, Guaranda, Santo Domingo de los Colorados, Machala, and Cuenca.

Train

The Train ride from Riobamba is amazing and interesting. The train departs from Riobamba at 07:00, arriving in Alausí around 10:00-10:30, visits Sibambe about 11:30-12:00 and go back to Alausí around 13:30-14:00. Tickets for the 07:00 train go on sale one night before around 18:00 to 19:00, or the same early morning at 06:00. The train service isn't always punctual with some disruptions and changing timetables so do check locally about current times. The administration office is located on Avenue Espejo, near the Post Office. Besides this there, Metropolitan Touring has a private autoferro on the Riobamba-Sibambe route. They need a minimum of 20 passengers to run the train.[17]

See also

References

  1. ^ http://www.galenfrysinger.com/riobamba_ecuador.htm
  2. ^ http://www.usfq.edu.ec/isq/alrededor.html
  3. ^ http://www.usfq.edu.ec/isq/alrededor.html
  4. ^ http://volcano.und.edu/vwdocs/volc_images/img_chimbarozo.html
  5. ^ http://www.thebestofecuador.com/riobamex.htm#chimbo
  6. ^ http://www.thebestofecuador.com/riobamex.htm#sangay
  7. ^ http://volcano.und.edu/vwdocs/volc_images/south_america/ecuador/sangay2.html
  8. ^ http://www.thebestofecuador.com/riobamex.htm#altar
  9. ^ http://volcano.und.edu/vwdocs/volc_images/south_america/ecuador/altar.html
  10. ^ http://www.usfq.edu.ec/isq/alrededor.html
  11. ^ http://www.thebestofecuador.com/riobamba.htm
  12. ^ http://www.thebestofecuador.com/riobamba.htm
  13. ^ http://www.thebestofecuador.com/riobamba.htm
  14. ^ http://www.thebestofecuador.com/riobamba.htm
  15. ^ http://www.thebestofecuador.com/riobamba.htm#museums
  16. ^ http://www.thebestofecuador.com/riobamba.htm#sports
  17. ^ http://www.thebestofecuador.com/riobamba.htm#transport

External Links

1°40′12″S 78°38′44″W / 1.67000°S 78.64556°W / -1.67000; -78.64556

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