Latacunga | |
|---|---|
City | |
| San Vicente Mártir de Latacunga | |
 From top, left to right: Central Park Vicente León, Saint Joseph Cathedral, City hall of Latacunga, the House of the Marquises, Chile Square, Vicente León High School, Our Lady of Mercy Church, Cotopaxi Technical University and Salcedo Street. | |
 Flag | |
| Nickname: Mashca City (Ciudad Mashca) | |
  Latacunga Latacunga's location in Ecuador | |
| Coordinates: 0°55′54.98″S 78°36′57.88″W / 0.9319389°S 78.6160778°W | |
| Country |  Ecuador |
| Province | Cotopaxi |
| Canton | Latacunga |
| Founded | April 12, 1557 |
| Founded by | Antonio de Clavijo |
| Named for | Llacta Cunani |
| Parishes | Urban Parishes
|
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Fabricio Tinajero |
| Area | |
| • City | 19.99 km2 (7.72 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 2,860 m (9,380 ft) |
| Population (2022 census)[1] | |
| • City | 77,267 |
| • Density | 3,900/km2 (10,000/sq mi) |
| Demonym | Latacungueño / a |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (ECT) |
| ZIP codes | Zip codes |
| Area code | (+593) 3 |
| Website | Official website (in Spanish) |
Latacunga (Spanish pronunciation: [lataˈkuŋɡa]; Quechua: Latakunga) is a plateau city of Ecuador, capital of the Cotopaxi Province, 89 km (55 mi) south of Quito, near the confluence of the Alaquez and Cutuchi rivers to form the Patate, the headstream of the Pastaza. At the time of census 2022 Latacunga had a population of 77,267[1] largely mestizo and indigenous.
Latacunga took its independence from Spain on November 11, 1820.[2]
Latacunga is an hour and half south from Quito on the Pan-American Highway. It was previously also on the old road from Quito to Guayaquil, and has a railway station between those cities. It is 9, 383. 2 ft (2,860 m). above sea level. Its climate is cold and windy, due to the neighboring snowclad heights, and the barren, pumice-covered tableland on which it stands. The active volcano Cotopaxi is only 25 kilometres (16 mi) away, and the town has suffered repeatedly from eruptions. Founded in 1534, it was four times destroyed by earthquakes between 1698 and 1798. The neighboring ruins of an older native town are said to date from the Incas Empire.
Latacunga's most noted food is chugchucaras, empanadas, plantains, popcorn, and tostado (a type of toasted corn). Often, food is mixed with ají, a type of condiment that can be mild to very spicy depending on its preparation.
The Latacunga economy is dependent on agriculture, floriculture and commerce. It has an international airport, the Cotopaxi International Airport, that is not used for international passenger use, but as an Air Force base and some special commercial flights. The local volcanic activity has led to the accumulation of pumice deposits which are currently mined, as well as the presence of natural sparkling water, which is bottled under the brand name San Felipe.
The airplane scene in the film Maria Full of Grace was filmed out of the Latacunga airport using local extras. The landscape seen from the plane is the area surrounding Latacunga.
- ^ a b Citypopulation.de Population and area of Latacunga
- ^ "La Independencia de Latacunga el 11 de noviembre de 1820". Archived from the original on 2014-05-29. Retrieved 2014-05-29.