Guaranda is a city in central Ecuador. It is the capital of BolÃvar, a province located in the Andes mountains. The city has road connection with Babahoyo and Ambato, which lies a couple bus hours to the East. 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 over 25,000 inhabitants. 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.
Surrounded by the peaks of San Jacinto, Loma de Guaranda, San Bartolo, Cruzloma, Tililac, Talalac, and el Mirador, Guaranda is known as the City of the Seven Hills. At 2650m, this highland city is the smallest provincial capital in Ecuador. The Carnival festivities are very traditional and last for several days. Visitors are offered chicha (a local, maize-based alcoholic drink) and the popular firewater known as Pájaro Azul (Blue bird) which help them get into the spirit of the festivities.
(Text and map of Ecuador adapted from: Guaranda. From Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia)
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Salinas de Guaranda, Ecuador
Clouds cover the mountains along the road between Guaranda and Salinas de Guaranda, Ecuador
Man and his animals heading into Salinas de Guaranda, Ecuador at sunrise.
Clouds cover the mountains along the road between Guaranda and Salinas de Guaranda, Ecuador
Rooster, hen and dog at Salinas de Guaranda, Ecuador at sunrise.
Clouds cover the mountains and fields along the road between Guaranda and Salinas de Guaranda, Ecuador
Man heading into Salinas de Guaranda, Ecuador at sunrise.
Clouds cover the mountains and fields along the road between Guaranda and Salinas de Guaranda, Ecuador
Loose pig exploring the main plaza of Salinas de Guaranda, Ecuador at sunrise.
Clouds cover the mountains and fields along the road between Guaranda and Salinas de Guaranda, Ecuador
Llama taking a rest in Salinas de Guaranda, Ecuador at sunrise.
Clouds cover the mountains and fields along the road with many memorial crosses between Guaranda and Salinas de Guaranda, Ecuador
Clouds and a pond make beautiful scenery in and around Guaranda Ecuador
Typical street scene in Guaranda Ecuador
Typical street scene and statue in Guaranda Ecuador
Typical street scene in Guaranda Ecuador
Typical street scene in Guaranda Ecuador
Church, Iglesia Santa Marianita de Jesús en Guaranda – Provincia de BolÃva, Ecuador
Market scene in Guaranda, Ecuador
Indigenous clothing and spectacular scenery brighten the day in and around Guaranda Ecuador
Typical street scene with a peddler in Guaranda Ecuador
Indigenous clothing and spectacular scenery brighten the day in and around Guaranda Ecuador
Indigenous clothing and spectacular scenery brighten the day in and around Guaranda Ecuador
Statue in homage to Dr. Alfpedo Noboam, “15 de Mayo” in Guaranda Ecuador
Typical street scene in Guaranda Ecuador. The Restaurant Central is not in any guide books but is just fine.
Typical street scene in Guaranda Ecuador, showing glass covered walls and graffiti
Private cooperativas like this are a mainstay of local transportation in Guaranda, Ecuador
Buses of many sponsors, each with a different horn or siren, fill the streets of Guaranda, Ecuador. Here is the bus for the Universidad de Bolivar
Private bus companies such as this provide transportation among communities connected to Guaranda, Ecuador
An accident caused by a car passing a truck and getting squished by an on coming truck left no place to go – Guaranda, Ecuador
A popular sign: Yes to Socialism. Most are overwritten with a black NO to Socialism.
Indigenous clothing and spectacular scenery brighten the day in and around Guaranda Ecuador
Fertile farmland make Guaranda farms very productive
Tasting the products of a roadside chef near Guaranda Ecuador
Hot meat makes it difficult to get to the car from a roadside chef near Guaranda Ecuador
Fertile farmland make Guaranda farms very productive
Fertile farmland make Guaranda farms very productive
Luxurient hills and farm fields of Salinas de Guaranda, Ecuador at sunrise.
Crops fill the fields along the road between Guaranda and Salinas de Guaranda, Ecuador
Llama waiting for the next load at Salinas de Guaranda, Ecuador
Local people in colorful clothing ride the bus between Guaranda and Salinas de Guaranda, Ecuador
Burros getting some face time while waiting for the next load at Salinas de Guaranda, Ecuador
Crops and cattle fill the fields along the road between Guaranda and Salinas de Guaranda, Ecuador
Approaching the Chimborazo Volcano enroute to Ambato Ecuador from Guaranda
Clothes hanging to dry and roosters guarding their territory are typical in Salinas de Guaranda, Ecuador
Modest homes line the road between Guaranda and Salinas de Guaranda, Ecuador
A real “fixer upper” – an old thatched roof building for sale in Salinas de Guaranda, Ecuador
University of Bolivar (Universidad de Bolivar) along the road between Guaranda and Salinas de Guaranda, Ecuador
Rooster guarding his territory in Salinas de Guaranda, Ecuador
Modest homes line the road between Guaranda and Salinas de Guaranda, Ecuador
Police staion in Salinas de Guaranda, Ecuador
Restaurant URKU WASI along the road between Guaranda and Salinas de Guaranda, Ecuador
Cattle heading home after a day in the pastures of Salinas de Guaranda, Ecuador
Cooperativas supplement buses along the road between Guaranda and Salinas de Guaranda, Ecuador
Cattle heading home after a day in the pastures of Salinas de Guaranda, Ecuador
Guanaco roams the fields along the road between Guaranda and Salinas de Guaranda, Ecuador
Boy and dog share a ride on a pickup truck in Salinas de Guaranda, Ecuador
Clouds cover the mountains and fields along the road between Guaranda and Salinas de Guaranda, Ecuador
Llama heading home after a day of work at Salinas de Guaranda, Ecuador
Guanaco roams the plains along the road between Guaranda and Salinas de Guaranda, Ecuador
Llama and burros waiting for the next load at Salinas de Guaranda, Ecuador
Crops fill the fields along the road between Guaranda and Salinas de Guaranda, Ecuador
Llama waiting for the next load at Salinas de Guaranda, Ecuador
Crops fill the fields along the road between Guaranda and Salinas de Guaranda, Ecuador
Approaching the Chimborazo Volcano enroute to Ambato Ecuador from Guaranda
Typical intercity bus about to depart Salinas de Guaranda, for Guaranda, Ecuador
Crops fill the fields along the road between Guaranda and Salinas de Guaranda, Ecuador
Luxurient hills and farm fields surround Salinas de Guaranda, Ecuador
Young woman in deep thought on the bus between Guaranda and Salinas de Guaranda, Ecuador
Local people in colorful clothes, with large children carried on their backs are typical in Salinas de Guaranda, Ecuador
Luxurient vegetation fills the fields along the road between Guaranda and Salinas de Guaranda, Ecuador
Local people in colorful clothes near the market in the main plaza of Salinas de Guaranda, Ecuador
Modest homes line the road between Guaranda and Salinas de Guaranda, Ecuador
The cemetery at Salinas de Guaranda, Ecuador
Young woman with her milk can, horse and dogs traverse the road between Guaranda and Salinas de Guaranda, Ecuador
The church is a mainstay of life in the main plaza of Salinas de Guaranda, Ecuador
Crops fill the fields along the road between Guaranda and Salinas de Guaranda, Ecuador
The cross overlooks Salinas de Guaranda, Ecuador
Modest homes line the road between Guaranda and Salinas de Guaranda, Ecuador
Steep cliffs form the backdrop for Salinas de Guaranda, Ecuador
Modern trucks and equipment are used in paving the road for the first time between Guaranda and Salinas de Guaranda, Ecuador
Luxurient hills and farm fields surround Salinas de Guaranda, Ecuador at sunrise.
Paving the road for the first time between Guaranda and Salinas de Guaranda, Ecuador
Luxurient hills and farm fields and potato bed of Salinas de Guaranda, Ecuador at sunrise.
Paving the road for the first time between Guaranda and Salinas de Guaranda, Ecuador
Approaching the Chimborazo Volcano enroute to Ambato Ecuador from Guaranda
Local people in colorful clothes and their vegetables, fruits and other products fill the market in the main plaza of Salinas de Guaranda, Ecuador
Trees and farm fields along the road between Guaranda and Salinas de Guaranda, Ecuador
Local people in colorful clothes and their vegetables, fruits and other products fill the market in the main plaza of Salinas de Guaranda, Ecuador
Paving the road for the first time between Guaranda and Salinas de Guaranda, Ecuador
Local people in colorful clothes and their vegetables, fruits and other products fill the market in the main plaza of Salinas de Guaranda, Ecuador
Cooperativas supplement buses along the road between Guaranda and Salinas de Guaranda, Ecuador
Local people in colorful clothes and their vegetables, fruits and other products fill the market in the main plaza of Salinas de Guaranda, Ecuador
Modest and upscale homes line the road between Guaranda and Salinas de Guaranda, Ecuador
Local people in colorful clothes and their vegetables, fruits and other products fill the market in the main plaza of Salinas de Guaranda, Ecuador
Modest and upscale homes line the road between Guaranda and Salinas de Guaranda, Ecuador
Local people in colorful clothes and their vegetables, fruits and other products fill the market in the main plaza of Salinas de Guaranda, Ecuador
Local people in colorful clothing walk along the road between Guaranda and Salinas de Guaranda, Ecuador
Local people in colorful clothes at the market in the main plaza of Salinas de Guaranda, Ecuador
Paving the road for the first time between Guaranda and Salinas de Guaranda, Ecuador
Luxurient hills and farm fields lie across the old salt mine area of Salinas de Guaranda, Ecuador
The salt mine area of Salinas de Guaranda, Ecuador
The salt mine area of Salinas de Guaranda, Ecuador
Approaching the Chimborazo Volcano enroute to Ambato Ecuador from Guaranda
The salt mine area of Salinas de Guaranda, Ecuador
The streaam flows between the salt mine area and the town of Salinas de Guaranda, Ecuador
Headquarters of FUNORSAL Foundation (Fundacion de Organizaciones de Salinas)
Going by the Chimborazo Volcano enroute to Ambato Ecuador from Guaranda
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