Loja It is a city of Ecuador, capital of the Loja Province and Loja canton, its main feature is culture and its length in the arts, and for this reason it is known as the musical and cultural capital of Ecuador. Also known as the Cradle of National Music, it is full of wealth, culture and tradition, it keeps in its corners multiple possibilities of knowledge, recreation and experiences.
History
The city was founded twice: the first was in the Garrochamba Valley Catamayo Valley today in 1546, with the name of La Zarza, under the order of General Gonzalo Pizarro; The second and definitive foundation was carried out by Captain Alonso de Mercadillo in the Cuxibamba Valley “Plain Alegre”, under the order of Pedro de la Gasca, after having submitted to Pizarro, on December 8, 1548.
Location
South America
Ecuador country
Province: Loja
Territorial limits
North: With the Saraguro canton
South and East: With the Province of Zamora Chinchipe
West: part of the Province of El Oro and the Catamayo, Gonzanamá and Quilanga cantons.
Weather
The city of Loja has a temperate climate, with temperatures that fluctuate between 16 and 21 degrees Celsius. The period of greatest dryness is in October, November and December.
Flora
The Park, considered the Botanical Garden of America, is located in the territory where the endemism centers of the Northern Andes and Tumbes overlap. In the area it is estimated that there are between 3,000 and 4,000 species of vascular plants, among which are: Romerillos or Podocarpus spp, which is named after the Park, and many other valuable species such as Cascarilla or Cinchona spp, called the national tree of Ecuador. There are specific differences between the vegetation of the moors of the area and the north of the country, basically because they are lower, on the mountain ridges and in the transition zone of a true moor that does not develop fully, due to the low elevation of the terrain. Among the main species found in the region are chilca, laurel, aguacolla, ubilla, black elder, pumamaqui, sapan, myrtle, cashoco, alder, acacia, sage, white guato, cedar, fig tree, walnut, yumbingue and cannelloni.
Wildlife
Geographical location allows the area to house a large number of animal species such as the Spectacled Bear, the puma, tigrillo, the danta, the deer, the American tiger, fox, pudú, cervicabra, prewl, sardines, raposa, squirrel, chucuri, among others. The birdlife is diverse but the beauty of the tall toucan, hummingbirds and a rare quetzal deserve special mention; more than 600 species are registered but the torcaza, the eagle, woodpecker, bearded turkey, zumba, lorito, blackbird, Andean seagull, dog bird and the guajalito are distinguished.
Economic development
The economically active population of Canton Loja, is mostly dedicated to agriculture and livestock (19%), followed by trade (17%) and by the human group that is dedicated to teaching (17%), the rest of the percentage (30 %) of the PEA is located in activities such as construction, public administration, manufacturing industries and transportation and communications. ”
Transport
The Terrestrial Terminal that is located in the center-north of the city, with routes that connect with the rest of Ecuador and Peru. Loja is served by the most important land transport companies in Ecuador. In addition, Loja, along with Cuenca, Guayaquil and Quito, have an ordered system of urban buses type BRT, but in the city of Loja it is called SITU (Integrated System of Urban Transport). Ciudad de Catamayo Airport is an airport located in the canton of Catamayo, Loja Province, Ecuador, located 38 km away from the city of Loja, capital of the province. The transfer from this air terminal to the city of Loja takes approximately 35 minutes by land.
From this airport it is possible to travel to Quito or Guayaquil. Loja is served by the airline TAME. The Catamayo airport was built under the regime of President Camilo Ponce Enriquez (1956-1960) and originally called Camilo Ponce Enriquez Airport. Since May 13, 2013, the renovated airport officially bears the name of Ciudad de Catamayo Airport, replacing the previous one, because despite the old official name, many knew it as the Catamayo airport. The contest “A name for the Catamayo airport” was held, which was convened by the Ministry of Transportation (MTOP).
Turism
- Grupo Étnico Saraguros
- Bosque Petrificado de Puyango
- Ciudad de Loja
- Ciudad de Vilcabamba
- Ciudad de Saraguro
- Santuario de El Cisne
- Ciudad de Puyango
- Parque Jipiro
- Cascada Baño del Inka
- Aguas Sulfurosas de El Arenal
- Iglesia de Santo Domingo
- Museo de Música
- Iglesia La Catedral de Loja
- Plaza Central
- Plaza San Francisco
- Plaza San Sebastián
- Santuario El Cisne
- Parque Jipiro
- Museo de la Lojanidad
- Parque Podocarpus
Cultures and traditions
Most Important Holidays: Border Integration Fair (September 8) and Province Day (September 18).
Party Activities: The Loja Border Integration Fair was created by the Liberator Simón Bolívar, in 1829. By Supreme Decree, on September 8 of each year, commerce, industry, crafts, cultural creation of the peoples of northern Peru and southern Ecuador. On September 18, it was declared a day of the province, in honor of the illustrious man of the province of Loja, Don Manuel CarRíon Pinzano.
Gastronomy
- The Cecina: It consists of a finely cut meat, dried in the sun and roasted in the braza, accompanied by cassava and onions.
- Roasted Cuy: Parboiled with garlic and cumin dressings, then grilled, frequently bathed with colored butter or achiote. It is served accompanied with red potato, mote, lettuce and chili pepper.
- Peas of Guineo: Made with dried peas, green guineo, quesillo and finely chopped coriander.
- Loose Tamales, traditional product with great recognition in the province, is prepared with soaked dry corn, which is then ground and scrambled with lard and dressing, this dough is wrapped in achira leaf and filled with meat, chicken or dumplings. pork.