Amazonian Country Located at he heart of the Equatorial Line
Cañar
©1996 el-ecuador.com - All rights reserved. - This Web site was created and maintained by: Fernando Silva
This site was last updated on: August, 2, 2022
The Province of Cañar is located in the southern part of Ecuador in the
basin of the Paute river, and to the northeast of the city of Cuenca. Cañar
its the most important archaeological site of the country. At an altitude of
2,518 meters above sea level, its climate is relatively cool. its average
temperature is 17 °C (63 °F).
Azogues its capital, was founded on October 4, 1562 and it has a
population of about 74,000 inhabitants as of 2015. Before the Incas arrival,
these lands were inhabited by the Cañari ethnic group during 800 AD.
Kañari people spoke Kichwa, and lived mainly in Cañar, and in small
numbers in Azuay. The word Cañari comes from "kan" meaning "snake"
and "ara" meaning "macaw" names of two local animals that were
considered sacred in those times.
Azogues its known for its carved wood architecture, some of the most
beautiful wood carved balconies are seen here around the town. its is
Cathedral located in the Central Square with its imposing stone facade.
Its construction has the classic Roman style in combination with the
modern style used in the back of the cathedral.
The Ingapirca Ruins are located here, its name Kichwa word that means
“wall or wall of the Inca”. the Inti Raymi festival is celebrated here,
sacred festival in honor of Taita Inti, or Father Sun.
Province of Cañar
History……
The Ingapirca ruins is the sacred place of the Inca occupation in Ecuador. It is considered the most important pre-
Columbian archaeological site in the country and the best preserved Inca architectural complex in Ecuador.
It was an important religious, political, scientific, military and administrative center and is made up of a cemetery, solar
observatories, a temple, warehouses, priests' rooms, a ceremonial plaza and cobbled streets.