Guaranda information

Guaranda
Guaranda
From top, left to right: Panoramic view of the city, monument to Simon Bolivar behind St. Peter Cathedral, monument to Guaranga, St. Peter of Guanujo Sanctuary, Prefecture of Bolívar, May 7th Street, May 15th Square and bridge over the Culebrillas River.
Flag Coat of arms
Nickname:  "The City of the Seven Hills"
Guaranda
Coordinates: 1°36′S 79°0′W / 1.600°S 79.000°W / -1.600; -79.000
Country	Ecuador
Province	Bolívar
Canton	Guaranda
Government
• Mayor	Medardo Chimbolema
Area
• City	519.56 km2 (200.60 sq mi)
Elevation	2,668 m (8,753 ft)
Population  (2010 census)
• City	30,000
• Density	58/km2 (150/sq mi)
• Metro	91,877
Time zone	UTC-5 (ECT)
Climate	Cwb
Website	www.guaranda.gob.ec (in Spanish)

Guaranda (Spanish pronunciation: [ɡwaˈɾanda]) is a city in central Ecuador. It is the capital of Bolívar province located in the Andes mountains. The city is connected by road with other hubs, including Riobamba, 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 mainly mestizo, but includes many people of different ethnicities. Supposedly, the city was first colonized by Jewish Conversos fleeing from Lima's Inquisition.^{[citation needed]} This nucleus has been intermarrying for almost five centuries, forming a compact population linked by family connections. Since the 1990s, the indigenous majority has seized political power and most of the local elected officers are of Quechua origin.

The city has 55,374 inhabitants (2011 census) 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.