Ibarra, Ecuador

Ibarra on the map of Ecuador

Ibarra (actually, San Miguel de Ibarra ) is the capital of the Ecuadorian province of Imbabura and Canton Ibarra. Ibarra (2010) 132.977 inhabitants and is situated at an altitude of about 2210 m in the northern Andes of Ecuador, about 115 kilometers north of Quito. Because of its narrow streets and its colonial -style architecture (white houses with red roofs ) Ibarra is also called " the white city".

History

The city was founded on September 29, 1606, the feast of the Archangel Michael, Captain Cristobal de Troya at the direction of Miguel de Ibarra, President of the Real Audiencia de Quito, on behalf of King Philip III. founded by Spain. Miguel de Ibarra came from the Basque Country, which also has a city named Ibarra.

On July 17, 1823 Battle of Ibarra took place near the city in which the person of Simón Bolívar led forces won a victory. 1829 Ibarra has been charged ( in Ecuador later) to the provincial capital in Gran Colombia.

On August 16, 1868 Ibarra was almost completely destroyed by an earthquake and rebuilt since 1872. The April 28, 1872 is considered as the second anniversary of Ibarra ( Retorno ).

Attractions and Tourist

Colonial ambience exudes the rebuilt Ibarra especially at places Parque Pedro Moncayo and Parque Victor Manuel Peñaherrera (known as Parque La Merced ) from.

Ibarra is the starting point for a (now only by domestic and foreign tourists undertaken ) train towards Salinas. On the route of the Ecuadorian railway from Ibarra to San Lorenzo operate both on the base of a train set bus ( autoferro / autocarril ) to Salinas ( for less wealthy locals ), as well as a composition with 4 cars behind a diesel locomotive. Furthermore, the route - Ibarra Otavalo for the ( tourist ) rail transport is to be restored to 2013.

Every year in Ibarra from the last weekend in September, the Fiestas de los Lagos ( " Lakes Festivals " ) instead, which are of regional significance.

Sons and daughters of the town

  • Álex Aguinaga, Ecuadorian football player
  • Enrique Ayala, historian and politician
Basque Country (autonomous community) Empresa de Ferrocarriles Ecuatorianos Otavalo (city)
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