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 Ambato is a thriving city just 2 1/2 hours south of Quito and sits on a
ridge between a few steep hills and a valley that drops off sharply.
Its residents consider themselves to be resilient and offer the fact
that their city was rebuilt after a devastating earthquake in 1948 as
evidence.
The city is proud of its cultural heritage, and nicknames itself
'Tierra de Los Tres Juanes'. The three Juanes were Juan Leon Mera was
a writer and poet who is most famous for writing Ecuador's national
anthem. Juan Montalvo was another famous writer who many have named
the "Cervantes of South America". Juan Benigno Vela was a renown
teacher and champion of the Country's youth. All are inmortalized in
Ambato's parks, museums and buildings.
The city is called also “Garden of Ecuador”, well-known by its
production of peaches, apples, pears, grapes, oranges, strawberries,
cane of sugar, cereals and all class of vegetables. Its industrial
production is based on the textiles, flowers, conserves of fruits,
articles of skin, rubber, and furniture.
Ambato has developed into an architectural marvel where modern
buildings coexist elegantly with colonial edifices. Modern structures
give the city a metropolitan feel while at the same time they enhance
the remaining colonial architecture.
Festival of Fruit and Flowers
Ambato is famous for its 'Fiesta de las Flores y de las Frutas'
(Festival of
 Fruit
and Flowers), which is anual festival that's supposed to coincide with
Carnival but is usually held during the last two weeks in February.
apart from fruit and flowers shows, the festivities include bullfigths,
parades, late night street dancing and general fun.
Cathedral church
This is a modern building standing out from its urban context due to
its colossal size. Built to replace the "Iglesia Matriz de Ambato",
which was severely damaged by the 1949 earthquake, it was inaugurated
on December 12, 1954.
Museums
Among the city's museums are the following: The Natural Science, Museum in Bolivar National School and the Luis A. Martinez Art Museum
in the Muncipality building. continues...
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