Fruit
and Flower
Festivals
After
the 1949 earthquake
this annual
celebration
was founded.
This festival
has replaced
the ancient
tradition
of water fights
in carnival;
the festival
also includes
cultural,
artistic and
academic events.
The International
Festival of
Folklore,
National Art
Exhibition
of Artist
Luis A, floral
games, dance
festivals
and the crowning
of the Queen
of Ambato
are among
the most important
events.
The
City of Ambato
Ambato
is surrounded
by the plateaus
of Pillaro,
Quisapincha,
Tisaleo, Quero,
Huambalo and
Cotalo.
River Ambato
nourishes
the terrains,
which some
inhabitants
have converted
into allotments
and gardens.
The climate
in Ambato
is among the
best in the
country.
The average
temperature
is around
14.5 degrees
centigrade.
The city bustles
with commercial
activity,
especially
on market
days (Mondays)
when the plazas
and streets
come alive,
unindated
with goods
and food for
sale from
all over the
country.
The most important
markets are
Modelo, Central,
Colon and
Primero de
Mayo.
The
tourist places
most worth
visiting are:
Juan
Montalvo's
house (museum,
library),
Juan Leon
Mera's country
house, Via
Flores-an
attractive
walking route,
the Natural
Science Museum
in Colegio
Nacional Bolivar,
and the Luis
A. Martinez
museum in
the Municipal
building.
Banos
Banos
is literally
on the Amazon's
doorstep,
one of the
last town's
before reaching
the jungle.
Of huge tourist
interest,
Banos is located
at the foot
of Volcano
Tungurahua
with an abundance
of natural
thermal springs,
public baths
and a host
of activities
for the visitor.
There are
numerous hotels,
hostals, restaurants
from budget
to luxury.
Tourist infrastructure
here is excellent.
The people
are extremely
friendly as
for the majority
tourism provides
their income.
The streets
are bustling,
there is also
a zoo and
the entrance
to Sangay
National Park
is possible
from Banos.
Pillaro
Pillaro,
located towards
the north
east of Banos
is easily
reached by
either of
the two highways
that connect
the two towns.
Pillaro is
situated at
an altitude
of 2803 metres,
temperatures
average 13
degrees centigrade.
Apples and
potatoes are
the main cultivations.
Pelileo
Pelileo
is located
at 20km from
Ambato towards
the east at
an altitude
of 2592 metres.
The population
was buried
under rubble
when an earthquake
struck the
area in 1949
but has since
been reconstructed.
The zone is
primarily
agricultural.
Taita
Salasaca
The
ethnic group
of the Salasacas
is the most
important
in the province,
occupying
approx. 20
km of the
dry zone of
the canton
of Pelileo.
According
to some historians
the ethnic
group originate
from Bolivia,
others have
suggested
that they
are descendents
of the Puruhaes.
The Salasacas
are good craftsmen,
especially
in the elaboration
of upholstery
which has
proved good
business even
exporting
to foreign
parts.
Last
Updated 18th
August 2006
(DLW)
