Cuenca

Banos Cuenca Galapagos Islands Gualaceo Guayaquil Inca ruins Otavalo "Panama" hats Quito Riobamba a School Textiles

Cuenca

 

tile map of Cuenca

Cuenca , city in southern Ecuador, capital of Azuay Province, in a valley of the Andes Mountains , about 2583 m (about 8468 ft) above sea level. Much of the quinine bark of Ecuador is shipped from Cuenca, and the city is also a center for the trimming, stitching, and shipping of Panama hats, so called because of their former center of distribution.

 

the "Panama" hat

Photos of "Panama" hat manufacture

Other industries in the city are the refining of sugar, the manufacture of woolen goods and pottery, and the shipping of grain, hides, and cheese. Cuenca, founded in 1557, is the seat of a bishop and the site of two universities.

 

the flower market

 

building in old town

 

window

 

building

 

church

 

street in town

 

woman selling fruit

Despite its industrial and commercial development, the city of Cuenca is especially known for its picturesque appearance and many old houses, often displaying murals and old-fashioned Spanish proverbs painted on the patio walls. Population (1996 estimate) 247,421.

Text by Microsoft Encarta

 

church on the hill above the town

horizontal rule

Illustrated teaching murals around this church

 

 

 

 

horizontal rule

Banos Cuenca Galapagos Islands Gualaceo Guayaquil Inca ruins Otavalo "Panama" hats Quito Riobamba a School Textiles

Return to Ecuador page

Argentina Bolivia Brazil Chile Colombia Ecuador French Guiana Guyana Iguazu Falls Paraguay Peru Suriname Uruguay Venezuela

Return to South America page

World Heritage Mosaics Roman World Africa Antarctica Asia Atlantic Islands Australia Caribbean Central America Europe Indian Ocean Middle East North America Pacific Islands South America The Traveler Recent Adventures Adventure Travel

 

Return to People and Places

horizontal rule