Riobamba
Encyclopedia
Riobamba is the capital of the Chimborazo Province
in central Ecuador
, which is located at the Chambo River Valley of the Andes
. It is 200 km (124.3 mi) south of Ecuador's capital Quito
and located at 2754 m on the Avenue of the Volcanoes. The city is an important regional transport center as well as being a stop on the Pan-American Highway
that runs through Ecuador
. Riobamba stands as one of the largest cities in the central portion of Ecuador's Sierra region.
In 1534, the city was founded in the San Miguel plains, becoming the first city in modern-day Ecuador to be established. In 1563 the city became part of the Spanish Empire
's newly-formed Royal Audience of Quito
. The city was completely destroyed by an earthquake in 1797
, but rebuilt a few years later 14 km (8.7 mi) away from its original location (near a village named Cajabamba in the plains of San Antonio de Aguíscate). The city still retains much architecture from the Spanish period.
In the Ecuadorian War of Independence
Riobamba first declared independence on November 11, 1820 but was soon retaken. The city finally became part of an independent Gran Colombia
in 1822, and then a separate Republic of Ecuador in 1830.
On November 20, 2002, 8 people were killed and hundreds wounded when an explosion in the munitions depot at the Galapagos Brigade arsenal in Riobamba, set off a series of blasts. Such was the force of the explosion that many residents said their initial reaction was that there had been an earthquake or volcanic eruption. Windows were blown out more than 1.5 kilometres from the arsenal, and many of the injured suffered lacerations from flying shards of glass.
According to Colonel Arturo Cadena, a military spokesman in Quito
, the initial explosion occurred during maintenance work inside the dump. In April 2003, the army published its final report into the explosion. The report holds the Santa Barbara munitions factory directly responsible for the explosion, which the army is calling an accident.
. Like many cities in Ecuador, Riobamba has a near constant temperature year-round, with a wet and dry season. Its altitude (2754m) and closeness to Chimborazo give the city a cool climate year-round, with temperatures averaging between 23 °C and 14 °C.
It´s a cultural group whose main center is located on a privately museum "Córdoba Román" with sculptures, furniture, photographic equipment, documents and memorabilia, is at 24-25 and Veloz Velasco. Ateneo was founded by the poet Luis Alberto Costales
.
It exhibits a wide selection of uniforms, arms as well as religious materials which depict various epochs of Ecuador's history, located on Ave. Héroes de Tapi.
This museum has a gem-encrusted gold monstrance. The art encased in this religious collection is comes from the 18th century. entry.
, Chimborazo
, Sangay
, El Altar
, and the Lost Pyramid of Puñay. 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 is another common sport. Swimming can be practiced in CENAEST, where temperate swimming pools and Spa attract many tourists. Cockfights are usually seen during Riobamba's festivities and on weekends at the Gallera San Francisco. Riobamba is the home city of one top-level football club, Centro Deportivo Olmedo
.
Chimborazo Province
Chimborazo is a province in Ecuador, located in the central Ecuadorian Andes, containing a section of Sangay National Park. The capital is Riobamba. The province contains Chimborazo , Ecuador's highest mountain.- Cantons :...
in central Ecuador
Ecuador
Ecuador , officially the Republic of Ecuador is a representative democratic republic in South America, bordered by Colombia on the north, Peru on the east and south, and by the Pacific Ocean to the west. It is one of only two countries in South America, along with Chile, that do not have a border...
, which is located at the Chambo River Valley of the Andes
Andes
The Andes is the world's longest continental mountain range. It is a continual range of highlands along the western coast of South America. This range is about long, about to wide , and of an average height of about .Along its length, the Andes is split into several ranges, which are separated...
. It is 200 km (124.3 mi) south of Ecuador's capital Quito
Quito
San Francisco de Quito, most often called Quito , is the capital city of Ecuador in northwestern South America. It is located in north-central Ecuador in the Guayllabamba river basin, on the eastern slopes of Pichincha, an active stratovolcano in the Andes mountains...
and located at 2754 m on the Avenue of the Volcanoes. The city is an important regional transport center as well as being a stop on the Pan-American Highway
Pan-American Highway
The Pan-American Highway is a network of roads measuring about in total length. Except for an rainforest break, called the Darién Gap, the road links the mainland nations of the Americas in a connected highway system. According to Guinness World Records, the Pan-American Highway is the world's...
that runs through Ecuador
Ecuador
Ecuador , officially the Republic of Ecuador is a representative democratic republic in South America, bordered by Colombia on the north, Peru on the east and south, and by the Pacific Ocean to the west. It is one of only two countries in South America, along with Chile, that do not have a border...
. Riobamba stands as one of the largest cities in the central portion of Ecuador's Sierra region.
History
The region surrounding Riobamba was inhabited by the Puruhá nation before the advancement of the Incas during the late 15th century. The Puruhas presented a fierce resistance to the Inca intentions of conquering the north of today's Ecuador, and therefore obligated the Inca Huayna Capac to find an alliance in order to pacify the tribes who sided with Condorazo, the general of the Puruha nation. This alliance sealed the peace between the Shyris confederation, named by the Jesuit historian Juan de Velasco to the group of tribes whose ruler where the Duchicela dinasty, and the Inca Empire. The Inca Huayna Capac took as his wife the princess Paccha and gave the special treatment and social status privileges to the higher castes of the new subjects. The offspring of this dynastic relation was Atahualpa, the last king of the Incas.In 1534, the city was founded in the San Miguel plains, becoming the first city in modern-day Ecuador to be established. In 1563 the city became part of the Spanish Empire
Spanish Empire
The Spanish Empire comprised territories and colonies administered directly by Spain in Europe, in America, Africa, Asia and Oceania. It originated during the Age of Exploration and was therefore one of the first global empires. At the time of Habsburgs, Spain reached the peak of its world power....
's newly-formed Royal Audience of Quito
Royal Audience of Quito
The Royal Audience of Quito was an administrative unit in the Spanish Empire which had political, military, and religious jurisdiction over territories that today include Ecuador, parts of northern Peru, parts of southern Colombia and parts of northern Brazil...
. The city was completely destroyed by an earthquake in 1797
1797 Riobamba earthquake
The 1797 Riobamba earthquake occurred at 12:30 UTC on 4 February. It devastated the city of Riobamba and many other cities in the Interandean valley, causing up to 40,000 casualties. It is estimated that seismic intensities in the epicentral area reached at least XI on the Mercalli scale, and that...
, but rebuilt a few years later 14 km (8.7 mi) away from its original location (near a village named Cajabamba in the plains of San Antonio de Aguíscate). The city still retains much architecture from the Spanish period.
In the Ecuadorian War of Independence
Ecuadorian War of Independence
The Ecuadorian War of Independence was fought from 1820 to 1822 between several South American armies and Spain over control of the lands of the Royal Audience of Quito, a Spanish colonial administrative jurisdiction from which would eventually emerge the modern Republic of Ecuador...
Riobamba first declared independence on November 11, 1820 but was soon retaken. The city finally became part of an independent Gran Colombia
Gran Colombia
Gran Colombia is a name used today for the state that encompassed much of northern South America and part of southern Central America from 1819 to 1831. This short-lived republic included the territories of present-day Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Panama, northern Peru and northwest Brazil. The...
in 1822, and then a separate Republic of Ecuador in 1830.
On November 20, 2002, 8 people were killed and hundreds wounded when an explosion in the munitions depot at the Galapagos Brigade arsenal in Riobamba, set off a series of blasts. Such was the force of the explosion that many residents said their initial reaction was that there had been an earthquake or volcanic eruption. Windows were blown out more than 1.5 kilometres from the arsenal, and many of the injured suffered lacerations from flying shards of glass.
According to Colonel Arturo Cadena, a military spokesman in Quito
Quito
San Francisco de Quito, most often called Quito , is the capital city of Ecuador in northwestern South America. It is located in north-central Ecuador in the Guayllabamba river basin, on the eastern slopes of Pichincha, an active stratovolcano in the Andes mountains...
, the initial explosion occurred during maintenance work inside the dump. In April 2003, the army published its final report into the explosion. The report holds the Santa Barbara munitions factory directly responsible for the explosion, which the army is calling an accident.
Geography & climate
Riobamba is located in the center of the country in the sierra region, within close proximity to the Chimborazo volcanoChimborazo (volcano)
Chimborazo is a currently inactive stratovolcano located in the Cordillera Occidental range of the Andes. Its last known eruption is believed to have occurred around 550 AD....
. Like many cities in Ecuador, Riobamba has a near constant temperature year-round, with a wet and dry season. Its altitude (2754m) and closeness to Chimborazo give the city a cool climate year-round, with temperatures averaging between 23 °C and 14 °C.
Economy
The economy of the city mainly focuses 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. Riobamba is also an important trade center of cattle-ranching.Education
Universities include Universidad Nacional de Chimborazo, Escuela Superior Politecnica de Chimborazo, Universidad Politécnica Salesiana, Universidad San Francisco de Quito, and Instituto Tecnologico superior Isabel de godin.Cityscape
Riobamba is a mid-level city in Ecuador, and the 10th largest in terms of population. It is the urban center of the Riobamba canton, with a historic center that has a number of well-preserved churches.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 21 April. During those days people enjoy many concerts, drinking and lively parades. As most of the population does not 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.Museums
- Ateneo de Chimborazo
It´s a cultural group whose main center is located on a privately museum "Córdoba Román" with sculptures, furniture, photographic equipment, documents and memorabilia, is at 24-25 and Veloz Velasco. Ateneo was founded by the poet Luis Alberto Costales
Luis Costales
Luis Alberto Costales Cazar was a poet, writer, philosopher, teacher, speaker and Ecuadorian politician. In Spanish, he was an ecuatoriano....
.
- Armas
It exhibits a wide selection of uniforms, arms as well as religious materials which depict various epochs of Ecuador's history, located on Ave. Héroes de Tapi.
- Arte Religioso de la Concepción
This museum has a gem-encrusted gold monstrance. The art encased in this religious collection is comes from the 18th century. entry.
- Ciencias Naturales del Colegio Maldonado
- Casa de Bolivar
- Córdova-Román
- Antropológico del Banco Central
- Etnográfico de la Casa de la Cultura
Churches
Churches in Riobamba include Catedral, Basílica del Sagrado Corazón de Jesús, Concepción, La Merced, San Antonio, San Alfonso, Casa Madre, and Capilla del Colegio Salesiano "STAR".Sports
Riobamba is the trekking and mountain climbing capital of Ecuador and is a base to climb CarihuairazoCarihuairazo
Mount Carihuairazo is a volcanic caldera neighboured by Ecuador's highest mountain Chimborazo.-Location:Carihuairazo is located in the Cordillera Occidental of the Andes of central Ecuador, south-southwest of the capital Quito. Its neighboured by 6,267 m high Chimborazo...
, Chimborazo
Chimborazo (volcano)
Chimborazo is a currently inactive stratovolcano located in the Cordillera Occidental range of the Andes. Its last known eruption is believed to have occurred around 550 AD....
, Sangay
Sangay
Sangay is a constantly active stratovolcano in central Ecuador. It is the southernmost and most active volcano in the country, and is known for its explosive venting of thick ash clouds, which has built a dome since 1976.-See also:...
, El Altar
El Altar
El Altar is an extinct volcano on the western side of Sangay National Park in Ecuador, 170 km south of Quito. Spaniards named it so because it resembled two Nuns and four Friars listening to a Bishop around a church altar...
, and the Lost Pyramid of Puñay. 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 is another common sport. Swimming can be practiced in CENAEST, where temperate swimming pools and Spa attract many tourists. Cockfights are usually seen during Riobamba's festivities and on weekends at the Gallera San Francisco. Riobamba is the home city of one top-level football club, Centro Deportivo Olmedo
Centro Deportivo Olmedo
Centro Deportivo Olmedo is a professional football club based in Riobamba, Ecuador. They currently play in the Serie A, Ecuador's top level of professional football....
.