Population:
155.088 inhabitants.
[Urban:
32.650 / Rural:
122.438]
Borders
and Area Size:
16.559 km2
[Locatiion:
NORTH: Cotopaxi
- SOUTH: Guayas
- WEST: Tungurahua
and Chimborazo
- EAST: Los
Rios]
Economy
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Natural
Resources:
Various agricultural
activity,
Cattle Farming,
etc.
Industry:
Weaponary,
Artisanship,
Pyrotechnics,
Mining, etc.
Business:
Foodstuffs,
Minerals,
Agriculture,
etc.
Tourism
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MOST
IMPORTANT
CANTONS
Guaranda
Uncertainty
surrounds
the exact
date that
the city was
founded by
the Spaniards,
but it is
believed that
it was established
in 1571 under
the name "Limpia
Concentracion
de Guaranda".
In this period
Guayaquil,
Cuenca, Loja,
Ibarra, Latacunga
and
Riobamba already
existed.The
name 'Guaranda'
apparently
comes from
the the name
of a primitive
tribe called
the Guarangas
which populated
the area prior
to the arrival
of the Spanish.
Guarango is
also the name
of a lush
tree which
was in abundance
in the area
and which
is now found
planted in
the town's
main park
to commemorate
the town's
history.
Guaranda is
also known
as "la
ciudad de
la 7 colinas"
(Town of the
Seven Hills)
because it
is surrounded
by seven elevations
(Loma de la
Cruz, Loma
de Guaranda,
San Jacinto,
San Bartolo,
Talalat, Tililag
and el Calvario).
At the top
of la loma
de la Cruz
there is a
monument of
the Guaranga
Indian, where
there is also
a beautiful
observation
point housing
a historical
museum with
a number of
archaeological
artefacts,
ceramic pieces,
historical
documents
and arms used
in the independence
struggle.
In the main
plaza there
is also a
monument of
Liberator
Simon Bolivar
which was
donated to
the town by
the Venezuelan
government.
In the municipal
building there
is a plaque
commemorating
the birthplace
of Manuel
Echeandia,
protagonist
of the Independence
movement,
born in the
same year
as Bolivar
(1783).
Echeandia
is held in
high regard
for his role
in Independence
and accompanied
Simon Bolivar
in his independence
campaigns,
collaborating
as auditor
and financial
director.
The remains
of Echeandia
are currently
in Caracas
and the town
of Guaranda
has requested
their return
in order to
lay him to
rest in his
home town.
San
Jose de Chimbo
and Balzapamba
San
Jose de Chimbo
was created
on 3rd March
1860 by Garcia
Moreno.
The town is
located at
an altitude
of 2,500 metres
at the foot
of Susanga
and el Caquetilla.
In Chimbo
there are
various artisan
industries.
In Ayurco
guitars are
manufactured
and in Tamban
padlocks,
revolvers,
kitchen suites
and sawn-off
shotguns.
Continuing
towards the
south east
via the San
Miguel road,
you can visit
the sanctuary
of the Virgin
of Lourdes.
In
Blazapamba
there is a
waterfall
named 'Cascada
Milagrosa'
(the miraculous
waterfall),
a colonial
art museum
and yuo can
also enjoy
the observe
the beautiful
white waters
of River Cristal.
Chillanes
The
canton of
Chillanes
is situated
some 72 kms
from Guaranda
towards the
south of the
province at
an altitude
of 2,300 metres
with an average
temperature
of 15 degrees
centigrade.
The demography
of Chillanes
is disperse
and contains
extensive
zones of jungle
terrain.
Archaeological
remains have
been discovered
here.
It is believed
that a place
of worship
existed here
where the
Chillanes
paid hommage
to Chimborazo.
San
Miguel
San
Miguel is
located towards
the south
of Guaranda
close to the
parishes of
San Lorenzo
and San Jose
de Chimbo
at an altitude
of 2,469 metres
with an average
temperature
of 17.5 degrees
centigrade.
Echeandia
This
young canton,
which was
only created
in 1984, is
located in
the western
part of the
province.
It belongs
to the subtropical
zone.
Coffee, oranges,
cocoa and
sugar cane
are grown
here.
Most of the
produce grown
here is delivered
to the coast,
the road from
Echeandia
to Ventanas
is asphalted
covering a
relatively
short distance.
The parish
furthest away
from the capital
is Las Naves
which grows
an abundance
of tropical
produce.
Caluma
This
is the most
recently created
canton in
the province
of Bolivar.
It is situated
towards the
west of Guaranda
in an agricultural
zone growing
a variety
of subtropical
produce.
the River
Caluma crosses
the region
making the
landscape
one of profound
exotic beauty.
Last Updated
31st July
2006 (DLW)
