Loja (), formerly Loxa and fully City of the
Immaculate Conception
The Immaculate Conception is the belief that the Virgin Mary was free of original sin from the moment of her conception.
It is one of the four Marian dogmas of the Catholic Church, meaning that it is held to be a divinely revealed truth w ...
of Loja ( es, Ciudad de la Inmaculada Concepción de Loja), is the capital of
Ecuador
Ecuador ( ; ; Quechua: ''Ikwayur''; Shuar: ''Ecuador'' or ''Ekuatur''), officially the Republic of Ecuador ( es, República del Ecuador, which literally translates as "Republic of the Equator"; Quechua: ''Ikwadur Ripuwlika''; Shuar: ''Eku ...
's
Loja Province
Loja Province () is one of 24 provinces in Ecuador and shares its southern border on the west with El Oro Province, on the north with El Azuay, and on the east with Zamora-Chinchipe. Founded on its present site in 1548 by Captain Alonso de Mer ...
. It is located in the Cuxibamba valley in the south of the country, sharing borders with the provinces of
Zamora-Chinchipe and
El Oro, and with
Peru
, image_flag = Flag of Peru.svg
, image_coat = Escudo nacional del Perú.svg
, other_symbol = Great Seal of the State
, other_symbol_type = Seal (emblem), National seal
, national_motto = "Fi ...
in the south. Loja holds a rich tradition in the arts, and for this reason is known as the Music and Cultural Capital of Ecuador. The city is home to two major universities.
The city has a population of about 181,000, and is situated 2060 m (6758 ft) above sea level. It has a mild Andean climate, ranging between 16 and 30 °C.
The
Pan-American Highway
The Pan-American Highway (french: (Auto)route panaméricaine/transaméricaine; pt, Rodovia/Auto-estrada Pan-americana; es, Autopista/Carretera/Ruta Panamericana) is a network of roads stretching across the Americas and measuring about in to ...
runs past Loja.
History
The city of Loja was colonized by Field Marshal Alonso de Mercadillo in 1548, and it is named for his hometown of Loja in
Spain
, image_flag = Bandera de España.svg
, image_coat = Escudo de España (mazonado).svg
, national_motto = ''Plus ultra'' (Latin)(English: "Further Beyond")
, national_anthem = (English: "Royal March")
, i ...
. Originally located near La Toma in the
Catamayo canyon since 1546, the city was relocated to its present location (about 35 km east) after a devastating earthquake and problems with
Malaria
Malaria is a mosquito-borne infectious disease that affects humans and other animals. Malaria causes symptoms that typically include fever, tiredness, vomiting, and headaches. In severe cases, it can cause jaundice, seizures, coma, or death. S ...
. At nearly 500 years, it is one of the oldest cities in Ecuador. One of its founding-reasons for the Spanish colonizers was to have a fortified town next to the region of Zaruma, which was in that time rich in gold. It was as well a departure point for the
Amazon Basin
The Amazon basin is the part of South America drained by the Amazon River and its tributaries. The Amazon drainage basin covers an area of about , or about 35.5 percent of the South American continent. It is located in the countries of Bolivi ...
to search for the mystic town of
El Dorado
El Dorado (, ; Spanish for "the golden"), originally ''El Hombre Dorado'' ("The Golden Man") or ''El Rey Dorado'' ("The Golden King"), was the term used by the Spanish in the 16th century to describe a mythical tribal chief (''zipa'') or king o ...
. The city was also visited by
Simón Bolívar
Simón José Antonio de la Santísima Trinidad Bolívar y Palacios (24 July 1783 – 17 December 1830) was a Venezuelan military and political leader who led what are currently the countries of Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, Panama and B ...
in his campaign to unite
Gran Colombia
Gran Colombia (, "Great Colombia"), or Greater Colombia, officially the Republic of Colombia (Spanish: ''República de Colombia''), was a state that encompassed much of northern South America and part of southern Central America from 1819 to 18 ...
. It declared its independence from Spain on November 18, 1820.
The city of Loja has the distinction of being the first city in Ecuador to be wired for electric power provided by a
hydroelectric dam
Hydroelectricity, or hydroelectric power, is electricity generated from hydropower (water power). Hydropower supplies one sixth of the world's electricity, almost 4500 TWh in 2020, which is more than all other renewable sources combined and ...
that was completed in the 1890s.
Geography
Loja is in the bottom of the broad glacial Cuxibamba valley. It lies between the humid
Amazon Basin
The Amazon basin is the part of South America drained by the Amazon River and its tributaries. The Amazon drainage basin covers an area of about , or about 35.5 percent of the South American continent. It is located in the countries of Bolivi ...
and the Peruvian
sechura
Sechura is a city in northwestern Peru, south of Piura. It is the capital of Sechura Province in the Piura Region. The city lends its name to the Sechura Desert
The Sechura Desert is a coastal desert located south of the Piura Region of Peru ...
, and is composed mainly of paramo, cloud-forest, and jungle. The valley borders the
Podocarpus National Park
Podocarpus National Park ( es, Parque Nacional Podocarpus) is a national park located in the provinces of Zamora Chinchipe and Loja Province, Loja, in the south-east of Ecuador. It was created in 1982.
It covers 1462.80 km2, from two spur ...
, which is a massive cloud-forest reserve accessible through the Cajanuma gates just minutes outside the city. The
Rio Zamora
The Zamora River (Spanish: ''Río Zamora'') is a tributary of the Santiago River located in the south-east of Ecuador. Historically, it was known to the Spanish as ''Yaya Mayu'' ("Father River"), from the river's name among a group of Shuar enc ...
and
Rio Malacatos
Rio or Río is the Portuguese, Spanish, Italian, and Maltese word for "river". When spoken on its own, the word often means Rio de Janeiro, a major city in Brazil.
Rio or Río may also refer to:
Geography Brazil
* Rio de Janeiro
* Rio do Sul, a ...
flow through the city of Loja.
Climate
Loja has a mild Andean climate, generally warm during the days and colder and often wetter at night. The average temperature is . June and July brings an eastern drizzle with the trade winds, and is referred to as the "windy season." Due to its valley location, the city is often misty in the morning with general absence of sunshine, clearing off towards the afternoon.
Economy
![Loja10Agosto](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/68/Loja10Agosto.jpg)
Loja is the capital of one of Ecuador's main coffee-growing provinces.
Close to the city of Loja, the first
wind power station of Ecuador is located with a visitors center and 11 generators.
Arts and culture
![Virgen de El Cisne en Santo Domingo, Ecuador](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/43/Virgen_de_El_Cisne_en_Santo_Domingo%2C_Ecuador.jpg)
There is a thriving musical scene in Loja, in keeping with the city's reputation. There are numerous small music and salsa clubs, and it is not uncommon to hear Lojanos singing as they go about their day. On Sundays, the local police band performs in the Plaza de Independencia outside of San Sebastian Church.
The city is full of public artworks, including massive painted tile murals,
fresco
Fresco (plural ''frescos'' or ''frescoes'') is a technique of mural painting executed upon freshly laid ("wet") lime plaster. Water is used as the vehicle for the dry-powder pigment to merge with the plaster, and with the setting of the plaste ...
es, and statuary. Of particular note are the frescoes of Bolívar and Sucre that greet visitors as they pass through the gates of the city.
Annual cultural events
* May 30 - August 15 - Pilgirmage of the Virgin of
El Cisne
El Cisne is a city in the southern region of Ecuador, in Loja province, about from the city of Loja, Ecuador, Loja.
The city is known for the much venerated Marian National Shrine of Our Lady of El Cisne.
History
The inhabitants of El Cisne re ...
* June 25 - Foundation of Loja Province
* September 1–15 - Ecuador-Peru Border Integration Fair
* November 1 - Return of the Virgin of Cisne to the town of
El Cisne
El Cisne is a city in the southern region of Ecuador, in Loja province, about from the city of Loja, Ecuador, Loja.
The city is known for the much venerated Marian National Shrine of Our Lady of El Cisne.
History
The inhabitants of El Cisne re ...
* November 18 - Independence of Loja
* December 8 - Foundation of Loja
Points of interest
* Puerta de la Ciudad
The gates of the city are modeled after the Coat of Arms of the city, presented by King Felipe II of Spain in 1571. The gate is on Av. Gran Colombia, and houses four galleries which show contemporary Lojano artwork, and a cafeteria and gift shop.
Loja contains a number of historic churches; the city's board of tourism has approached finding them in a novel manner. Beginning at the Puerta de la Ciudad, one of the first thing a tourist will notice is a large orange stripe painted on the sidewalk. Following the stripe takes the interested on a self-guided tour of the main historic churches and areas of Loja.
* Cathedral
The main Cathedral, built in the colonial style, is located on the central square. It is home for six months of the year to the Virgin of Cisne, whose statue is carried on the backs of the faithful to and from the town of Cisne, 45 km north of Loja. The procession shuts the road to traffic twice a year, and it is a mark of pride among Lojanos to participate. Original adobe in the cathedral building dates from the 16th century; the current building dates from 1838 (previous edifices were lost to earthquakes). The Cathedral is one of the largest churches in Ecuador. It is the seat of the
Roman Catholic Diocese of Loja
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Loja ( la, Dioecesis Loianus) is a diocese located in the city of Loja in the Ecclesiastical province
An ecclesiastical province is one of the basic forms of jurisdiction in Christian Churches with traditional hi ...
.
* Church of San Francisco
The small Church of San Francisco houses the city's Franciscan convent. The church was built in 1548 and then rebuilt in 1851. The plaza, located on the corner of Av. Bolivar and Av. Colon, features a monument to Alonso de Mercadillo, founder of the city.
* Church of Santo Domingo
The Church of Santo Domingo was built in 1557; the entire edifice was once in the Gothic style, but after an earthquake in 1867 only the twin spires remained standing. The church was refinished in the colonial style, but the spires were left as a reminder of the former facade. The church was painted and decorated by notable Lojano Fray Enrique Mideros. In the plaza of the church stands a monument to Manuel Carrión Pinzano, a founder in 1853 of the Federalism movement in Loja.
* Church of San Sebastian
In 1660, the city of Loja was consecrated to
St. Sebastian
Saint Sebastian (in Latin: ''Sebastianus''; Narbonne, Narbo, Gallia Narbonensis, Roman Empire c. AD 255 – Rome, Roman Italy, Italia, Roman Empire c. AD 288) was an early Christianity, Christian saint and martyr. According to traditional beli ...
in order to prevent destruction by earthquakes. The present church dates from 1900. Perhaps the most notable landmark of Loja stands on the Plaza San Sebastian (also called the Plaza of Independence) - the 32 meter clock tower commemorates the declaration of independence from the Spanish Crown on November 18, 1820. The tower has four faces with brass bas relief depicting scenes from the city's history.
* Monuments
There are numerous other monuments to famous Lojanos and Ecuadorians. Central Square contains the monument to Bernardo Valdivieso, the founder of Loja's universities; a monument to Bolívar is housed in a park of the same name to commemorate his visit to Loja in October 1822. A monument to Pío Jaramillo stands on the south end of the avenue bearing his name, and at the junction of Av. Jaramillo and Av. Carrión stands a monument to Benjamin Carrion. A monument to Isidro Ayora stands in the roundabout in front of the bus terminal.
Sports
The city is home of
Liga de Loja, a major football team that plays in the Ecuadorian professional football league.
Parks and recreation
![Kartodromo Municipal](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/62/Kartodromo_Municipal.JPG)
There are three parks of note inside the city, and a botanical garden just outside the city limits.
* Jipiro
In the north of the city, Jipiro Park covers more than 10 hectares, is home to various native bird species, and is notable for its scale reproductions of historic and cultural buildings. The park boasts a pagoda, mosque, St. Basil's cathedral, a medieval castle, and many more, as well as a lake for paddle-boating with an island aviary.
* La Banda Park
Next to Jipiro on the eastern and western shores of the Rio Zamora, is a huge greenspace with a public carting race track, riding trails, an orchid nursery, and the Loja zoo.
* Parque Pucará de Podocarpus
On a hill called Pucará de Podocarpus, this is a children's park with playground equipment and a beautiful scenic view. It is located on the city's former drinking water treatment plant.
* Jardín Botánico
Reinaldo Espinosa
Across the road from University Park is the botanical garden which is open to the public and the oldest in Ecuador, created in 1949. There are over 800 native and exotic species. It is a living laboratory for scientific research and environmental education. It covers an area of 7 hectares divided into 5 sections for viewing. Most of the trees in this garden are over 40 years old, and the park is one of the world's highest-altitude botanical gardens.
* Parque Universitario de Educación Ambiental y Recreación "Francisco Vivar Castro"
Located opposite the Botanical Gardens about 5 km south of central Loja, the park covers 90 hectares and includes hiking trails, camping areas, and classrooms for environmental education.
Education
Loja has some of the top Universities in Ecuador. Th
Universidad Técnica Particular de Lojais one of the top 3 in the nation, offering local and distance education in different fields, such as Architecture, Medicine, Communications, Law, Accounting, Engineering, Auditing, Electronics and Telecommunications, Trades, Administration, Humanities, Biology, and many more.
In September 2007, the UTPL adopted an academic model based on the European System of Credit Transfer and Accumulation (ECTS), which assesses the student's workload, in order to achieve the objectives of an academic program which are reflected in learning achievements and acquired competencies. This university has partnership programs with many universities around the world, such as the University of California at San Diego, Berkeley College, University of Frankfurt, Technische Universität München, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Universidad de Buenos Aires, and many other top universities around the globe. In addition, the U.T.P.L has three international campuses, besides the principal one in Loja, Ecuador. They are located in New York (USA), Madrid (Spain), and Rome (Italy).
Another notable school, in the top 10 in the nation, is th
Universidad Nacional de Loja which offers programs in Law, Aperture Science, Education, Medicine, Veterinary Sciences, Business, Science and Technology, and Fine Arts. The Loja campus of the Universidad Internacional del Ecuador, in partnership with
Harvard
Harvard University is a private Ivy League research university in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Founded in 1636 as Harvard College and named for its first benefactor, the Puritan clergyman John Harvard, it is the oldest institution of higher le ...
University, and the International University of Florida, offers Business Engineering, Finance, Marketing, Ecotourism, Foreign Trade, Economics, Law, Industrial Design, and Interior Design.
Transportation
Streets are laid out on a grid system, and named for notable Ecuadorians and city founding dates. Paved walkways frame the two rivers and provide easy access to the north and south through the city. There are several bus lines running in the city, and also many taxis. There is a bus station at the north end of the city, with routes connecting to the rest of Ecuador and into
Peru
, image_flag = Flag of Peru.svg
, image_coat = Escudo nacional del Perú.svg
, other_symbol = Great Seal of the State
, other_symbol_type = Seal (emblem), National seal
, national_motto = "Fi ...
. Loja is served by
Ciudad de Catamayo Airport in
Catamayo, 30 km away. From there, it is possible to fly to
Quito
Quito (; qu, Kitu), formally San Francisco de Quito, is the capital and largest city of Ecuador, with an estimated population of 2.8 million in its urban area. It is also the capital of the province of Pichincha. Quito is located in a valley o ...
or
Guayaquil
, motto = Por Guayaquil Independiente en, For Independent Guayaquil
, image_map =
, map_caption =
, pushpin_map = Ecuador#South America
, pushpin_re ...
.
Media
The major newspapers are ''La Hora'', and Cronica http://www.cronica.com.ec ; the Quito and Guayaquil dailies are also available here.
Culture
Loja is regarded as a seat of Ecuadorian culture. A local saying is: "The one who does not play the guitar can sing a song; the one who does not sing a song can write a verse; the one who does not write a verse reads a book."
Notable people
*
Isidro Ayora
Isidro Ramon Antonio Ayora Cueva (31 August 1879 – 22 March 1978) was an Ecuadorian political figure. He served as the 22nd President of Ecuador from 1926 to 1931. Isidro Ayora, a town
A town is a human settlement. Towns are generally ...
, President of Ecuador 1926–1931
*
Alejandro Carrión
Alejandro Carrión Aguirre (11 March 1915 – 4 January 1992) was an Ecuadorian poet, novelist and journalist. He wrote the novel ''La espina'' (1959), the short story book ''La manzana dañada'' (1983), and numerous poetry books. As a journalist ...
, writer and journalist
*
Benjamín Carrión
Manuel Benjamín Carrión Mora (April 20, 1897 in Loja – March 9, 1979 in Quito) was an Ecuadorian writer, diplomat and cultural promoter.
Biography
He was born into an aristocratic family in Loja. He was a lawyer by training, and occupied ...
, founder of the Ecuadorian "Casa de la Cultura" and writer
*
Clodoveo Carrión Mora, palaeontologist and naturalist
*
Matilde Hidalgo
Matilde Hidalgo de Procel (September 29, 1889 in Loja, Ecuador – February 20, 1974 in Guayaquil, Ecuador) was an Ecuadorian physician, poet, and activist. Matilde Hidalgo was the first woman to exercise the right to vote in Ecuador (and Latin ...
, physician, poet, and activist
*
Eduardo Kingman
Eduardo Kingman Riofrío (February 23, 1913 – November 27, 1997) was an Ecuadorian artist. He is considered one of Ecuador's greatest artists of the 20th century, among the art circles of other master artists such as Oswaldo Guayasamín and Cami ...
, artist
*
Bernardo Valdivieso, benefactor of Loja's universities and defender of religious principles
*
Christopher Velez, singer
Twin towns – sister cities
Loja is
twinned with:
*
Chiclayo
Chiclayo (; qu, Chiklayu) is the principal city of the Lambayeque region in northern Peru. It is located inland from the Pacific coast and from the nation's capital, Lima.
Founded by Spanish explorers as "Santa María de los Valles de Chiclay ...
, Peru
*
La Huaca, Peru
*
Santiago de Surco
Santiago de Surco, commonly known simply as Surco, is a district of Lima, Peru. It is bordered on the north with the district of Ate Vitarte and La Molina; on the east with San Juan de Miraflores, on the west with San Borja, Surquillo, Mirafl ...
, Peru
*
Vichayal, Peru
See also
*
Loja Province
Loja Province () is one of 24 provinces in Ecuador and shares its southern border on the west with El Oro Province, on the north with El Azuay, and on the east with Zamora-Chinchipe. Founded on its present site in 1548 by Captain Alonso de Mer ...
*
Loja (canton)
*
Loja airport
References
*https://web.archive.org/web/20141219035251/http://www.lojanos.com/ Lojanos.com - Virtual Community of Loja
* ''Guia de la Provincia de Loja'', Ministerio de Turismo Ecuador, Quito, 2007
* ''Loja Para Todos'', Camara de Turismo de la Provincia de Loja, Loja, 2007
* ''Historia Corta del Ciudad de Loja'', various authors, UTPL, Loja, 2007
External links
Loja Area MapLojanos.com- Virtual community of Loja
Official page of Loja municipality
*
www.cronica.com.ec
{{Authority control
Populated places in Loja Province
Populated places established in 1548
Provincial capitals in Ecuador
1548 establishments in the Spanish Empire