Catedral Vieja, CuencaCatedral Vieja (Old Cathedral) of Cuenca, restored in 1999-2005
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cuenca_Ecuador_Catedral_Vieja_Jesus_and_apostles.jpg
Author: Cayambe
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Cuenca, which is known in full as Santa Ana de Los Cuatro Ríos de Cuenca, is a city in central Ecuador. It is the provincial capital of Azuay Province in the sierra of the Andes.

Located between 2,350 to 2,550 m above sea level, Cuenca enjoys a year-round mild climate that is classified as subtropical highland. The daily temperature is quite constant, averaging around 14.5°C (58°F). Cuenca receives the most rain in April, at 109 mm (4.29 in).

According to archaeological discoveries, the area around Cuenca has seen human habitation going back to 8,000 BC. The earliest settlement in the area was established by the Cañari people. It was known as Guapondeleg, and was founded around AD 500.

Panama hats, CuencaPanama hats, Cuenca
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:The_Casa_del_Sombrero_Store_Montecristi_or_Panama_hats_(3964874440).jpg
Author: Alex Proimos
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The settlement of Guapondeleg was captured by the Incas around the 15th century, and they renamed it Tomebamba. The Incas under Tupac Yupanqui created a city of great splendor at Tomebamba, called Pumapungo, meaning "door of the puma". It is said to be a city of golden temples. This was the mythical city which the Spanish knew as El Dorado. The inhabitants of Tomebamba is said to have destroyed it before the Spanish got there. The Spanish under Gil Ramírez Dávalos eventually founded Cuenca on 12 April, 1557.

Today Cuenca is one of the major cities of Ecuador. It has a well-preserved old town which was laid out by King Charles V of Spain. The historic center of Cuenca was inscribed as a World Heritage Site in 1999. making it just one of the two cultural heritage sites recognized by UNESCO as of 2011.

Court of Justice, CuencaCourt of Justice, Cuenca
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cuenca_Ecuador_Corte_sup_Just_01.jpg
Author: Cayambe
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UNESCO Inscription

The Historic Centre of Cuenca was inscribed as a World Heritage Site in 1999. For the details, read about the Cuenca World Heritage Site.

Visiting Cuenca

The Mariscal Lamar Airport, located 2,532 m (8,306 ft) above sea level, is the airport serving Cuenca. It receives flights from Quito and Guayaquil.

Places of Interest in Cuenca

  1. New Cathedral of Cuenca
    Built in 1885, this "new" cathedral replaces the old one. It is located over the main plaza.

  2. Old Cathedral of Cuenca
    Dating back to 1557, this is no longer used as a church, and has been turned into a museum.

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About this website



Hello and thanks for reading this page. My name is Timothy and my hobby is in describing places so that I can share the information with the general public. My website has become the go to site for a lot of people including students, teachers, journalists, etc. whenever they seek information on places, particularly those in Malaysia and Singapore. I have been doing this since 5 January 2003, for over twenty years already. You can read about me at Discover Timothy. By now I have compiled information on thousands of places, mostly in Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore, and I continue to add more almost every day. My goal is to describe every street in every town in Malaysia and Singapore.

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