Guaranda

Infobox City
official_name = Guaranda
Photo =nickname = |
subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_type1 = Province
subdivision_type2 = Canton
subdivision_name = Ecuador
subdivision_name1 = Bolivar Province
subdivision_name2 = Guaranda
leader_title = Mayor
leader_name = Dr Victor Hugo Molina Encalado
Party = Movimiento Ciudadano
population_as_of = 2000
population_metro = 20,000
population_total = 27,866
timezone = EST
utc_offset = -5
website =

San Pedro de Guaranda is a city in central Ecuador. It is the capital of Bolívar, a province located in the Andes mountains. The city has road connection with Babahoyo and Ambato.

Guaranda is a market town located in a "Valle" - a deep valley in the high Andes, serving a vast hinterland of agricultural settlements ("comunidades") peopled by Quechua Indians. Its climate is subtropical, with a long (May - October) dry season ("estio"). Its population is mestizo, with a nucleus of Spanish people. It is generally known that the area was first colonized by Jewish Conversos fleeing from Lima's Inquisition. This nucleus has been intermarrying for now almost five centuries, forming a compact population linked by family connections. Since the '90s, the indigenous majority has seized political power and most of the local elected officers are of Quechua origin.

The city has 25,000 inhabitants (2005) and is growing. It suffers severe problems of electricity and water supply. Water is drawn from high surface sources, mostly from the Chimborazo glacier, and is of good drinking quality. The city is known for its week-long Carnaval and for its "Pajaro Azul" alcoholic drink.

External links

*wikitravel|Guaranda