Loja (Ecuador)

Loja on the map of Ecuador

Loja is a city at the southern end of the Cordillera Real in Ecuador. Up to the Peruvian border is 108 km. Loja has 130,000 inhabitants ( 2011) and is the capital of the homonymous province. The height of about 2,380 meters above sea level in the Andean highlands gives the place a year-round mild climate.

Loja is located on the Panamerican Highway between Cuenca in the north and the border with Peru in the south, about 5 hours by bus away both of Loja.

  • 3.1 Traffic

History

Loja was originally founded in the valley of Catamayo, a place where nowadays is the airport of La Toma. After malaria problems and a severe earthquake Loja was founded in 1548 to today's new location. Thus Loja can look back on nearly 500 years of history. The colonial era is reflected in the well-preserved narrow streets of the old town. Loja is trying to get the architectural roots of the colonial period.

Education, Science and Research

Colleges and Universities

Loja has both a National University ( Universidad Nacional de Loja ) and a technical university ( Universidad Technica Particular de Loja ).

Economy and infrastructure

Traffic

About 18 km west of the town is the airport Catamayo.

Sons and daughters of the town

  • Benjamín Carrión, writer, politician, diplomat and university lecturer
  • Matilde Hidalgo, doctor, politician, women's rights activist
  • Diego Luzuriaga, composer
  • Jamil Mahuad, President of Ecuador 1998-2000
  • Pablo Palacio, writer
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