Riobamba, Ecuador

Riobamba, Ecuador
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Colegio_Maldonado_Riobamba.jpg
Author: Dr Carlos Castales Teron


Riobamba is a city in central Ecuador whose full name is San Pedro de Riobamba. Located in the Chambo River Valley, 2754 m (9,035 ft) above sea level, Riobamba is the provincial capital of Chimborazo Province. The city has a population of 160,000 people (2011 estimate). Its location on the Pan-American Highway makes it an important transportation hub.

As with many Ecuadorian highland cities, Riobamba enjoys a mild Andean climate with fairly constant temperature year round. Temperatures vary more between day and night than between seasons, averaging between 14°C and 23°C.

El Tungurahua, Ecuador
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:El_Tungurahua_visto_desde_Riobamba.JPG
Author: Alfredobi


The Riobamba area has been inhabited long before the arrival of the Spanish. The Puruhá people were one of the early inhabitants. They were displaced by the Incas in the late 15th century. Shortly thereafter the Spanish arrived, establishing Riobamba as the first modern-day city of Ecuador in 1534.

A massive earthquake in 1797 totally destroyed the early incarnation of Riobamba, and the city was rebuilt some 14 km from its original location. The Spanish colonial buildings erected when the city was rebuilt are still standing today.

Visiting Riobamba

There are bus services connecting Riobamba with Quito 3 hours away, Guayaquil 6 hours away and Baños 1.5 hours away.

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