Ambato

Town and capital of the small central Tungurahua province in the Andean Sierra of central Ecuador, situated on the River Ambato some 100 km/62 mi south of Quito; population (2001) 169,100. Ambato stands at an altitude of 2,600 m/8,530 ft, at the foot of Mount Chimborazo; eruptions of Mount Cotopaxi to the north and several earthquakes have severely damaged the town. Ambato is well served by transport, being on both the Pan-American Highway and the railway line to Guayaquil. It has a highly favourable climate, and is the centre of a wine- and fruit-growing district – Ambato is sometimes referred to as ‘The Garden City’ of Ecuador. Its chief manufactures are textiles, rugs, canned fruit, drinks, confectionery and other foodstuffs, leather goods, tobacco, food processing, chemicals, and motor vehicles.

Ambato was almost entirely destroyed by an earthquake in 1949; as a result, most of the city is modern and relatively unattractive architecturally. It is famous for its flower festival in the second half of February, when the area attracts tourists.