View source for Cuenca, Ecuador

{{Multiple issues|
{{More citations needed|date=January 2019}}
{{original research|date=August 2025}}
}}

{{Infobox settlement
<!--See Template:Infobox Settlement for additional fields that may be available-->
<!--See the Table at Infobox Settlement for all fields and descriptions of usage-->
<!-- Basic info  ---------------->
|name                   = Cuenca
|official_name          = Santa Ana de los Ríos de Cuenca
|other_name             =
|native_name            =  <!-- if different from the English name -->
|nickname               = Atenas del Ecuador  ''(Athens of Ecuador)''
|settlement_type        = City
|total_type             = City
|motto                  =
<!-- images and maps  ----------->
|image_skyline          = Collage Cuenca.png
|imagesize              = 300px
|image_caption          = '''From top, left to right:''' Panoramic view of the Historic Center, [[New Cathedral of Cuenca|Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception]], City hall of Cuenca, Simon Bolívar Street, Cuenca Chamber of Commerce, Roto Bridge, Flowers Square, [[Cuenca Tram]] and [[Pumapungo Museum|archaeological ruins of Pumapungo]].
|image_flag             = Flag_of_Cuenca,_Ecuador.svg
|flag_size              =
|image_seal             =
|seal_size              =
|image_shield           = Escudo de Cuenca (Ecuador).png
|shield_size            = 80px
|image_blank_emblem     =
|blank_emblem_type      =
|blank_emblem_size      =
|image_map              =
|mapsize                =
|map_caption            = Location in Ecuador
|image_map1             =
|mapsize1               =
|map_caption1           =
|image_dot_map          =
|dot_mapsize            =
|dot_map_caption        =
|dot_x =  |dot_y =
|pushpin_map            = Ecuador
|pushpin_label_position = top
|pushpin_map_caption    =
|pushpin_mapsize        =
<!-- Location ------------------>
|subdivision_type       = Country
|subdivision_name       = {{ECU}}
|subdivision_type1      = [[Provinces of Ecuador|Province]]
|subdivision_name1      = {{flag|Azuay}}
|subdivision_type2      = [[Cantons of Ecuador|Canton]]
|subdivision_name2      = [[Cuenca Canton]]
<!-- Smaller parts (e.g. boroughs of a city) and seat of government -->
|seat_type              =
|seat                   =
|parts_type             = Parishes
|parts_style            = coll
|parts                  = Urban Parishes
|p1                     = Bellavista
|p2                     = Cañaribamba
|p3                     = El Batán
|p4                     = El Sagrario
|p5                     = El Vecino
|p6                     = Gil Ramírez Dávalos
|p7                     = Hermano Miguel
|p8                     = Huayna Cápac
|p9                     = Machángara
|p10                     = Monay
|p11                     = San Blas
|p12                     = San Sebastián
|p13                     = Sucre
|p14                     = Totoracocha
|p15                     = Yanuncay
<!-- Politics ----------------->
|government_footnotes   =
|government_type        =
|leader_title           = Mayor
|leader_name            = Cristian Zamora
|leader_title1          =
|leader_name1           =
|established_title      = Founded
|established_date       = April 12, 1557
|founder                = Gil Ramírez Dávalos
|named_for              = [[Cuenca, Spain]]
<!-- Area    --------------------->
|area_magnitude         =
|unit_pref                = <!--Enter: Imperial, to display imperial  before metric-->
|area_footnotes           =
|area_total_km2           = 3195
|area_land_km2            = <!--See table @ Template:Infobox Settlement for details on unit conversion-->
|area_water_km2           =
|area_total_sq_mi         =
|area_land_sq_mi          =
|area_water_sq_mi         =
|area_water_percent       =
|area_metro_km2           = 
|area_blank1_title        = Canton
|area_blank1_km2          = 3195
|area_urban_km2           = 71.45
<!-- Elevation -------------------------->
|elevation_footnotes      =
|elevation_m              = 2560
|elevation_ft             =
|elevation_max_m          = 2550
|elevation_max_ft         =
|elevation_min_m          = 2350
|elevation_min_ft         =
<!-- Population   ----------------------->
|population_as_of         = 2022 census
|population_footnotes     = <ref name="Ecuavisa2023"/> 
|population_note          = 
|population_rank=[[List of cities in Ecuador#By population|3rd in Ecuador]]
|population_total         = 596101
|population_metro         = 
|population_density_km2   = auto
|population_density_sq_mi =
|population_urban         = 361524<ref>[https://www.citypopulation.de/en/ecuador/towns/azuay/010150/ Citypopulation.de] Population and area of Cuenca urban area</ref>
|population_density_urban_km2  = 5060
|population_blank1_title  = Canton
|population_blank1        = 
|population_demonym       = Cuencan
<!-- General information  --------------->
|timezone               = [[Ecuador Time|ECT]]
|utc_offset             = -5
|timezone_DST           =
|utc_offset_DST         =
|coor_pinpoint         =<!-- can be used to specify exactly where/what the coordinates refer to -->
|coordinates            = {{coord|2|53|50.69|S|79|00|16.13|W|display=inline,title}}
|postal_code_type       = Postal code
|postal_code            = EC010150
|area_code              = (+593) 07
|blank_name             = [[Köppen climate classification|Climate]]
|blank_info             = [[Oceanic climate|Marine]]
<!-- GDP --------------->
| demographics_type1       = [[GDP|GDP (PPP, constant 2015 values)]]
| demographics1_footnotes  = 
| demographics1_title1     = Year
| demographics1_info1      = 2023
| demographics1_title2     = Total
| demographics1_info2      = $6.5&nbsp;billion<ref name="TelluBase">{{cite web|url=https://tellusant.com/repo/tb/tellubase_factsheet_ecu.pdf|publisher=Tellusant|title=TelluBase—Ecuador Fact Sheet (Tellusant Public Service Series)| access-date = 2024-01-11}}</ref>
| demographics1_title3     = Per capita
| demographics1_info3     = $14,600
|website                = [http://www.cuenca.gob.ec/ Official website] {{in lang|es}}
|footnotes              =
}}
'''Cuenca''', officially '''Santa Ana de los Ríos de Cuenca''', is an [[Ecuador]]ian city, head of the [[Cuenca Canton|canton of the same name]] and capital of the [[Azuay Province|province of Azuay]], as well as its largest and most populated city. It is crossed by the [[Tomebamba River|Tomebamba]], [[Tarqui River|Tarqui]], [[Yanuncay River|Yanuncay]] and [[Machángara River|Machángara]] rivers,<ref>{{cite web|author=Stephen Vargha|title=The Four Rivers Of Cuenca|url=https://yapatree.com/cuenca-four-rivers/|website=YapaTree website|date=31 July 2023}}</ref> in the south-central inter-Andean region of Ecuador, in the [[Paute River|Paute river]] basin, at an altitude of 2,538 meters above sea level<ref>{{cite web|author=Marco Carrasco|title=Visit Cuenca. Generalities|url=http://cuenca.com.ec/en/visit-cuenca|website=Municipal Tourism Foundation of Cuenca website|date=21 September 2023}}</ref> and with a [[Humid temperate climate|temperate Andean climate]] averaging 16.3&nbsp;°C.

It has been locally called "Cuenca of the Andes" or "Athens of Ecuador"<ref name="EmmaJayne2017"/><ref name="ZishanParks2019"/> for its architecture, its cultural diversity, its contribution to Ecuadorian arts, sciences and literature, and for being the birthplace of many illustrious figures of Ecuadorian society.<ref name="ZishanParks2019">{{cite book|author=Zishan Parks|title=World Tourism in the New Millennium|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-RlIEAAAQBAJ&pg=PA177|publisher=EDTECH|year=2019|isbn=978-1-83947-441-5|page=177}}</ref><ref name="EmmaJayne2017">{{cite book|author=Emma-Jayne Abbots|title=The Agency of Eating. Mediation, Food and the Body|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0-qMDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA8|publisher=[[Bloomsbury Publishing]]|year=2017|isbn=978-1-47259-856-1|page=8}}</ref> At the 2022 census it had a population of 596,101 inhabitants,<ref name="Ecuavisa2023">{{cite web|author=Marco Carrasco|title=Resultados Censo Ecuador: las 12 ciudades más pobladas del país|url=https://www.ecuavisa.com/noticias/ecuador/las-ciudades-mas-pobladas-de-ecuador-2023-resultados-censo-BE6006267|website=[[Ecuavisa]] website|date=21 September 2023}}</ref> making it the third most populous city in the country behind [[Guayaquil]] and [[Quito]]. The city is the core of the Cuenca metropolitan area, which is also made up of nearby rural towns and parishes. The conglomerate also ranks third among Ecuador's conurbations.

It was founded on April 12, 1557, on the ruins of the [[Inca empire|Inca]] city of [[Tomebamba]] (a major administrative center)<ref name="AlanCovey2018">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vnhUDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA397|title=The Oxford Handbook of the Incas|page=397|year=2018|author=R. Alan Covey, Sonia Alconini|publisher=[[Oxford University Press]]|isbn=978-0-19-090803-4}}</ref> and the [[Cañari]] city of Guapondelig,<ref name="AlanCovey2018"/> by Gil Ramírez Dávalos,<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=INBqLfJLoAcC&pg=PA656|title=Relación histórica del viage. Hecho de orden de S. Mag. a la América Meridional para medir algunos grados del meridiano terreftre y venir por ellos en conocimiento de la verdadera figura y magnitud de la tierra y otras observaciones aftronómicas, y Phísicas|page=656|year=1748|author1=[[Antonio de Ulloa]]|author2=[[Jorge Juan y Santacilia]]|location=Historical Library of the [[Complutense University of Madrid]]|publisher=Antonio Marín}}</ref> under orders of the viceroy of Peru [[Andrés Hurtado de Mendoza, 3rd Marquis of Cañete|Andrés Hurtado de Mendoza]]. During the 20th century, the city continued to grow, promoting education and culture, and in 1999 its historic center was declared a [[UNESCO]] [[World Heritage Site]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://whc.unesco.org/es/list/863|title=Historic Centre of Santa Ana de los Ríos de Cuenca|website=[[UNESCO World Heritage]] Centre website}}</ref> It is one of Ecuador's most important administrative, economic, financial and commercial centers. The city's main activities are commerce and industry; in recent years, Cuenca has also established itself as an international tourist attraction.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}}

==Toponymy==
{{more citations needed section|date=August 2025}}
The city is named Santa Ana de los Ríos de Cuenca in honor of the city of [[Cuenca, Spain|Cuenca]] in [[Spain]], birthplace of the Spanish viceroy of Peru [[Andrés Hurtado de Mendoza]], who was the one who ordered the Spanish [[Gil Ramírez Dávalos]] to found the city and the fact that this place, in its geographical features, is very similar to the Spanish city. Viceroy Andrés Hurtado was also at that time High Guard of the European city of Cuenca, and it was then a gift from the conquistador to the viceroy.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jOYtAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA445|page=445|year=1891|author=[[Federico González Suárez]]|title=Historia general de la república del Ecuador. Volume 2}}</ref> In addition, the name "de los Ríos" includes the fact that it is crossed by the rivers: [[Tomebamba River|Tomebamba]], [[Tarqui River|Tarqui]], [[Yanuncay River|Yanuncay]] and [[Machángara River|Machángara]]. The rest of the name comes from the Spanish tradition of dedicating new cities to a [[saint]] of the [[Catholic Church]], in this case [[Saint Anne]].

==History==
{{more citations needed section|date=August 2025}}
[[Image:Cuenca, city of Ecuador, in 1615 by Guamán Poma.jpg|thumb|170px|left|Cuenca in 1615 by the [[Inca]] painter [[Felipe Guaman Poma de Ayala|Guamán Poma]] in his work "Nueva corónica y buen gobierno". [[Royal Library, Denmark]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://poma.kb.dk/permalink/2006/poma/1015/en/text/?open=idm656|page=1015|year=1615|author=[[Felipe Guaman Poma de Ayala|Guamán Poma]]|website=[[Royal Library, Denmark]] website|title=Guaman Poma, Nueva corónica y buen gobierno (1615)}}</ref>]]
[[File:Municipio de Cuenca (Ecuador).jpg|thumb|right|Cuenca City Hall on Bolívar Street]]
[[File:OldCathedral.Cuenca.JPG|thumb|[[Old Cathedral of Cuenca]]]]

“The plateau is a place treasured by empires," comments Jeffrey Herlihy-Mera. "The [[Cañari]] then Inca and then Spanish occupied the region in the last two millennia, each renaming it in their own language. Now the capital city is called Cuenca and the province Azuay.”<ref>{{Cite journal | author=Herlihy-Mera, Jeffrey | title=Where Are You Going? a Bus Ride Through the Languages of Ecuador | journal=The Chronicle of Higher Education | volume=July 16 | year=2018 | pages=1 |url=https://www.chronicle.com/blogs/linguafranca/2018/07/16/where-are-you-going-a-bus-ride-through-the-languages-of-ecuador/| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191203004426/https://www.chronicle.com/blogs/linguafranca/2018/07/16/where-are-you-going-a-bus-ride-through-the-languages-of-ecuador/ | archive-date=2019-12-03 }}</ref>

According to studies and [[archeological]] discoveries, the origins of the first inhabitants go back to the year 8060 BC in the Cave of Chopsi. They were hunters, hunting everything the [[Páramo]] offered them, and nomads, following the animals and seasons. Their culture is represented by tools such as arrows and spears, which have been found throughout the [[Andes|Andean]] valley. The culture was most present about 5585 BC.

Later, the early indigenous people used the stable climate, fertile soil, and abundant water to develop [[agriculture]]. They grew [[potato]]es, [[melloco]], [[Andean Lupin|chocho]], [[squash (plant)|squash]], and [[quinoa]]. They also domesticated animals such as [[guinea pig#As food|cuy]]s (guinea pigs) and [[camelids]]: [[llama]]s and [[alpaca]]s.

Their technology was also advanced. For example, they began creating ceramics. In fact, ceramics constitute the greatest number of artifacts which [[archeologists]] use to study their culture. The period from 5000 BCE to 2000 BCE is not well represented in the archeological record. Beginning around 2000 BCE, the people developed a more highly organized society, demonstrating delegated responsibilities, such as the [[irrigation|managing of water]] and [[public health|control of plagues]]. People were specialized as administrative and religious authorities (known as ''[[shamanism|shamans]]''). This occurred during the periods of Chaullabamba, [[Huayco]], Pirincay, [[Monjas]], Putushio, Huancarcucho, and Jubones. From then until 500 AD began the periods of Tacalshapa III and the [[Cañari|Cañari people]], who were absorbed into the Incas in the 15th century.

===Pre-Columbian society===
Cuenca was originally a [[Cañari]] settlement called ''Guapondeleg''. Archeologists believe Cuenca was founded around 500 AD. ''Guapondeleg'' translates into "land as big as heaven." Less than half a century before the [[conquistador]]s landed, the [[Incas]], after a bitter struggle, conquered the Cañari and occupied Guapondeleg and the surrounding area. Though the Incas replaced the Cañari architecture with their own, they did not suppress the Cañari or their impressive achievements in astronomy and agriculture. As was customary for the Incas, they absorbed useful achievements into their culture. They renamed the city ''[[Tomebamba]]''. The city became known as the second [[Cusco]], a regional capital.

After the defeat of the [[Cañari]], likely in the 1470s, the Inca emperor, [[Tupac Yupanqui]], ordered the construction of a grand city to be called Pumapungo, "the door of the Puma." Its magnificence was said to have rivaled that of the Inca capital of Cuzco. Indians told stories to the Spanish chroniclers of [[gold]]en temples and other such wonders, but by the time the Spaniards found the legendary city, all that remained were ruins. They wondered what happened to the fabled splendor and riches of the second Inca capital. After having been abandoned by the Cañari and then the Incas, Tomebamba was sparsely populated until the 1550s.

Tomebamba is considered a candidate for the mythical city of gold which the Spanish called ''[[El Dorado]]''. The Spanish thought El Dorado was burned by the inhabitants after they heard of the Spanish conquests. Tomebamba's destruction by its inhabitants prior to the arrival of the Spanish suggests it may have been what the Spanish called ''El Dorado''.

===Spanish settlement===
[[Image:Cuenca Ecuador173.JPG|thumb|Monastery of Carmen de la Asunción, founded in 1682 for the [[Discalced Carmelites|Order of the Barefoot Carmelites]] and it was built in 1730.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://architecturalcuenca.com/2022/07/24/santuario-mariano-del-carmen-de-la-asuncion-iglesia/|title=Santuario Mariano del Carmen de la Asuncion Iglesia|author=Jane Hiltbrand|website=architecturalcuenca.com|date=24 July 2022 }}</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YrSXDwAAQBAJ&dq=santuario+mariano+del+carmen+de+la+asuncion+cuenca&pg=PT276|title=Moon Ecuador & the Galápagos Islands|author=Bethany Pitts|year =2019|isbn=9781631217180|publisher=[[Avalon Books|Avalon Publishing]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NbTdfZZixwgC&dq=santuario+mariano+del+carmen+de+la+asuncion+cuenca&pg=PA246|title=Arte de la Real Audiencia de Quito, siglos XVII-XIX. patronos, corporaciones y comunidades|author=Alexandra Kennedy Troya|year =2002|isbn=9788489569836|publisher=Nerea|page=41}}</ref>]]
The Spanish settlement of Cuenca was founded on April 12, 1557, by the [[explorer]] Gil Ramírez Dávalos. [[Andrés Hurtado de Mendoza, 3rd Marquis of Cañete|Andrés Hurtado de Mendoza]], then [[List of Viceroys of Peru|Viceroy of Peru]] had commissioned the founding and ordered the city named after his home town of [[Cuenca, Spain]]. It was founded decades after other major Spanish settlements in the region, such as Quito (1534), Guayaquil (1538), and Loja (1548).
Cuenca's population and importance grew steadily during the [[Colonialism|colonial]] era.

Cuenca reached the peak of its importance in the first years of Ecuador's independence; Cuenca achieved its independence on November 3, 1820. It became the capital of one of the three provinces that made up the nascent republic. The other two capitals were [[Guayaquil]] and [[Quito]].

==Demographics==
{{more citations needed section|date=August 2025}}
As per the last INEC estimate for 2015, the population of the Cuenca canton was 580,000 inhabitants, of which 400,000 constitute the urban population (i.e., the population of the city proper). Local publications estimate that the expat population is between 4,000 and 6,000.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://cuencahighlife.com/who-are-the-cuenca-expats-why-are-they-here-what-is-their-impact-results-of-the-city-of-cuenca-and-united-nations-development-office-study/ | title=Who are the Cuenca expats? Why are they here? What is their impact?: Results of the City of Cuenca and United Nations Development Office study | date=18 July 2017 }}</ref> The economic development is based on industry and agricultural development.

The Cuenca Metropolitan Area includes the cities of Azogues, Biblian, and Deleg in the Cañar province and the cities of Paute and Gualaceo in the Azuay province with a population of 730,000 inhabitants; however, Cuenca's influence in the cultural, economic, and educational areas extends to all the remaining cities {{convert|50|mi|km|0|abbr=off}} around the city.

==Economy==
{{more citations needed section|date=August 2025}}
Cuenca is known for its textiles, furniture, hats, and shoes. The straw hats known around the world as Panama hats are made in Cuenca by local artisans. Cuenca also was a major exporter of flowers to the United States and countries in Europe; however, as other cities have started flower gardens, Cuenca now specializes in orchids. While farming has shrunk in the past years, it is still an important sector of the city's economy, mainly vegetables and corn. Cattle ranching is also an important economic activity. Since Cuenca is located in the Andes mountains surrounded by forested areas nearby, mining and logging are also local industries. Some of the common mined resources are kaolin, plaster, limestone, sand, and carbon. Cuenca has also an important industrial and commercial sector.

Tourism continues to grow: Cuenca has many churches and a well-preserved old town that are a part of the cultural heritage of the city. Near Cuenca some important national parks, including Cajas National Park have been created.

At the turn of the century, the country's economy was affected by the [[Currency substitution|change in currency]], from [[Ecuadorian sucre|sucre]] to USD.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.economiaprovincialcuenca.es/|title=Economía de la provincia de Cuenca|last=Netvoluciona|website=www.economiaprovincialcuenca.es|access-date=2016-11-09}}</ref>

==Geography==
{{more citations needed section|date=August 2025}}
''Cuenca'', capital of the province of Azuay, is located in the sierra of the Andes in the ''Austro'' or southern region of Ecuador. It is approximately 470&nbsp;km south of [[Quito]] and 200&nbsp;km southeast of [[Guayaquil]]. The city ranges from {{convert|2,350|to|2,550|m|ft|abbr=off}} above sea level.

The dominant features of the city's geography are also the source of its name in Spanish: the four rivers of ''Cuenca'' (meaning a basin made by a [[confluence]] of rivers). These rivers are the Tomebamba (named after the Inca culture), Yanuncay, Tarqui and Machangara, in order of importance. The first three of these rivers originate in the [[Páramo]] of [[El Cajas National Park]] to the west of the city.

[[File:Rio-tomebamba-centro-cuenca.png|thumb|River Tomebamba next to the city centre]]

===Parishes===
Cuenca Canton contains the following parishes:

*[[Baños, Azuay|Baños]]
*[[Chaucha]]
*[[Checa, Ecuador|Checa]] (Jidcay)
*[[Chiquintad]]
*[[Cumbe]]
*[[Llacao]]
*[[Molleturo]]
*[[Nulti]]
*[[Octavio Cordero Palacios]] (Santa Rosa)
*[[Paccha]]
*[[Quingeo]]
*[[Ricaurte, Ecuador|Ricaurte]]
*[[San Joaquín, Ecuador|San Joaquín]]
*[[Santa Ana, Azuay|Santa Ana]]
*[[Sayausi]]
*[[Sidcay]]
*[[Sinincay]]
*[[Tarqui, Cuenca Canton|Tarqui]]
*[[Turi, Ecuador|Turi]]
*[[Valle, Ecuador|Valle]]
*[[Victoria del Portete]] (Irquis)

===Climate===
Cuenca features a [[subtropical highland climate]] (''Cfb'') under the [[Köppen climate classification]]. Like the rest of the Ecuadorian Andes, Cuenca enjoys a mild climate year-round. Days are generally warm and nights are cool enough that sweaters or jackets are usually desired. The average daily temperature is 14.7&nbsp;°C (58.5&nbsp;°F). There are two seasons: rainy and dry. The dry season, with some variation, falls between June and December. The rainy season, which is characterized by bright sunny mornings and afternoon showers, falls between January and May. The heaviest rains come in the ''invierno'' ([[wet season]]) of March, April and May.

{{Weather box
|location = Cuenca, elevation {{convert|2545|m|ft|abbr=on}}, (1981–2010 normals, extremes 2012–present)
|metric first = Yes
|single line = Yes
|Jan record high C = 29.3
|Feb record high C = 31.3
|Mar record high C = 29.1
|Apr record high C = 31.8
|May record high C = 32.0
|Jun record high C = 29.1
|Jul record high C = 29.5
|Aug record high C = 27.4
|Sep record high C = 31.3
|Oct record high C = 29.0
|Nov record high C = 28.7
|Dec record high C = 28.7
|year record high C = 
|Jan high C = 22.0
|Feb high C = 21.2
|Mar high C = 21.4
|Apr high C = 20.9
|May high C = 20.9
|Jun high C = 19.8
|Jul high C = 18.6
|Aug high C = 19.7
|Sep high C = 20.3
|Oct high C = 21.6
|Nov high C = 22.2
|Dec high C = 22.0
|year high C = 
|Jan mean C = 16.6
|Feb mean C = 16.3
|Mar mean C = 16.4
|Apr mean C = 16.2
|May mean C = 15.9
|Jun mean C = 14.9
|Jul mean C = 13.8
|Aug mean C = 14.6
|Sep mean C = 15.2
|Oct mean C = 16.2
|Nov mean C = 16.2
|Dec mean C = 16.6
| year mean C = 
|Jan low C = 11.2
|Feb low C = 11.4
|Mar low C = 11.3
|Apr low C = 11.4
|May low C = 10.9
|Jun low C = 10.0
|Jul low C = 9.0
|Aug low C = 9.5
|Sep low C = 10.1
|Oct low C = 10.7
|Nov low C = 10.2
|Dec low C = 11.1
|year low C = 
|Jan record low C = 3.7
|Feb record low C = 5.6
|Mar record low C = 5.8
|Apr record low C = 3.3
|May record low C = 5.1
|Jun record low C = 4.8
|Jul record low C = 3.2
|Aug record low C = 2.7
|Sep record low C = 3.7
|Oct record low C = 4.4
|Nov record low C = 0.5
|Dec record low C = 1.8
|year record low C = 
|precipitation colour=green
|Jan precipitation mm = 58.1
|Feb precipitation mm = 85.4
|Mar precipitation mm = 112.8
|Apr precipitation mm = 123.3
|May precipitation mm = 85.5
|Jun precipitation mm = 46.9
|Jul precipitation mm = 27.9
|Aug precipitation mm = 19.8
|Sep precipitation mm = 49.7
|Oct precipitation mm = 90.8
|Nov precipitation mm = 86.2
|Dec precipitation mm = 89.8
|year rain mm = 
|Jan sun = 155
|Feb sun = 113
|Mar sun = 124
|Apr sun = 120
|May sun = 155
|Jun sun = 150
|Jul sun = 186
|Aug sun = 186
|Sep sun = 150
|Oct sun = 155
|Nov sun = 150
|Dec sun = 155
|source 1 = [[World Meteorological Organization]]<ref name="WMO_Cuenca">
{{cite web |url=https://worldweather.wmo.int/en/city.html?cityId=2047 |title=World Weather Information Service – Cuenca |access-date=31 May 2024 |publisher=World Meteorological Organization}}</ref>
|source 2 = Meteomanz<ref name=Meteomanz>{{cite web
| url = http://www.meteomanz.com/sy3?l=1&cou=3070&ind=84239&y1=2012&m1=01&y2=2024&m2=05&so=000&fm=11
| title = SYNOP/BUFR observations. Data by months
| publisher = Meteomanz
| access-date = 31 May 2024}}</ref> Cuenca Climate Guide<ref name=guide>{{cite web | url =http://worldclimateguide.co.uk/climateguides/ecuador/cuenca.php | title =Cuenca Climate Guide, Ecuador | access-date =28 August 2015 | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20160322223502/http://www.worldclimateguide.co.uk/climateguides/ecuador/cuenca.php | archive-date =22 March 2016 | url-status =dead }}</ref>
|date=August 2015}}

==Education==

=== Universities ===
The first [[university]] in the city, the [[Universidad de Cuenca]], was established in 1867. It is considered the third oldest university of the country, after the Universidad Central del Ecuador (1836) and the Universidad Nacional de Loja (1859). Ever since, the city has been growing and more universities were created with new careers. This led to the declaration of Cuenca as the City of Universities by the [[National Assembly of Ecuador]] on January 4, 2011.<ref>{{cite web|title=Resolution that declares to Cuenca as 'City of Universities of the Republic of Ecuador'|url=http://documentacion.asambleanacional.gov.ec/alfresco/d/d/workspace/SpacesStore/daad4789-3bd5-4e6e-99e6-a7fee4e252b4/Resoluci%C3%B3n%20que%20declara%20a%20la%20Ciudad%20de%20Cuenca%20como%20%27Ciudad%20Universitaria%20de%20la%20Rep%C3%BAblica%20del%20Ecuador%27|access-date=28 May 2014|author=National Assembly of Ecuador|language=es|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304095815/http://documentacion.asambleanacional.gov.ec/alfresco/d/d/workspace/SpacesStore/daad4789-3bd5-4e6e-99e6-a7fee4e252b4/Resoluci%C3%B3n%20que%20declara%20a%20la%20Ciudad%20de%20Cuenca%20como%20'Ciudad%20Universitaria%20de%20la%20Rep%C3%BAblica%20del%20Ecuador'|archive-date=4 March 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The city has the following Universities:
*[[Universidad de Cuenca]] ([http://www.ucuenca.edu.ec UCUENCA])
*[[Politecnica Salesiana University|Universidad Politécnica Salesiana]] ([http://www.ups.edu.ec UPS])
*[[Universidad del Azuay]] ([http://www.uazuay.edu.ec UDA])
*[[:es:Universidad Católica de Cuenca|Universidad Católica de Cuenca]] ([http://www.ucacue.edu.ec UCACUE])

The first university is classified as an A category university; the subsequent next three are B category. universities This was stated by the [https://web.archive.org/web/20140302084440/http://ceaaces.gob.ec/ Council for Evaluation, Validation and Assurance of the Quality in Superior Education of Ecuador] ([https://web.archive.org/web/20140302084440/http://ceaaces.gob.ec/ CEAACES])<ref>{{cite web|title=University Evaluation of 2013|url=http://www.ceaaces.gob.ec/sitio/evaluacion-universidades-2013/|access-date=28 May 2014|author=Council for Evaluation, Validation and Assurance of the Quality in Superior Education of Ecuador|language=es|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140607063619/http://www.ceaaces.gob.ec/sitio/evaluacion-universidades-2013/|archive-date=7 June 2014}}</ref>

=== Primary and secondary schools ===
International schools:
* École Franco-équatorienne Joseph-de-Jussieu (French school)
* [[Colegio Alemán Stiehle]] (German school)

==Main sights==
{{more citations needed section|date=August 2025}}
{{Infobox UNESCO World Heritage Site
| WHS         = Historic Centre of Santa Ana de los Ríos de Cuenca
| Image       = Catedral de la Inmaculada Concepcion, Cuenca, Ecuador.jpg
| Caption     = The ''Catedral Nueva''
| Criteria    = Cultural: ii, iv, v
| ID          = 863
| Year        = 1999
| Area        = 224.14 ha
| Buffer_zone = 1,836.94 ha
}}
Most tourists visit the historic area, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site,<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Historic Center of Cuenca: An Invaluable Landmark of Ecuador |date=7 January 2025 |url=https://trailforthjournal.com/en/culture/historic-center-cuenca/}}</ref> between the river Tomebamba and the streets of Gran Colombia to the north, General Torres to the west, and Hermano Miguel to the east. This area's compactness, grid-like layout, and numerous readily identifiable monuments make it easy to navigate. Outside this area the city can be confusing, as there are dozens of narrow colonial streets with similar buildings.

Major fiestas of Cuenca come at the time of the "Mass of Children" that is carried out the day of the Arrival of Kings (January 6 - Epiphany Day), or in the commemoration of the independence of the city (November 3), during which processions, cultural acts, and dances are organized.
The nearby Cañar plantation (in the county of the same name) features the biggest Inca ruins in Ecuador.

===Landmarks===
*[[Old Cathedral of Cuenca|Old Cathedral]] (Iglesia de El Sagrario). Built in 1557, the edifice eventually became too small for the town's attendants. In 1880, a new cathedral was built as the replacement. The old cathedral, no longer consecrated, has been restored and is now used as a museum.
*[[New Cathedral of Cuenca|New Cathedral]] (official name: Catedral Metropolitana de la Inmaculada Concepción). Its towers are truncated due to a calculation error of the architect. Had it been constructed as planned, the foundation would not bear the weight of the full towers. In spite of the architect's immeasurable mistake, the New Cathedral of Cuenca, completed in 1975, is a monumental work of faith. A combination of [[Romanesque Revival architecture|Romanesque Revival]] and [[Neo-Gothic]] in style, the church's blue and white domes have become a symbol for the city. Its façade is made of [[alabaster]] and local [[marble]], while the floor of the [[nave]] is covered with pink marble, brought from Carrara (Italy). At its inauguration, the newly constructed Cathedral could accommodate 9,000 of Cuenca's 10,000 inhabitants at that time.
*Park Abdon Calderon. It is located in the center of Cuenca between the old and new cathedrals. On the park benches, people meet to converse and absorb its tranquility. The municipal offices are located nearby.
*Monastery of El Carmen de Asuncion. In the atrium a colorful flower market supplements the beauty of the church, which was founded in 1682. A sculpted stone façade and a golden pulpit make the church very attractive.
*Monastery and Museum of La Concepcion, with 17th-century tombs and a complete collection of religious art.
*House of the Ecuadorian Culture
*Municipal Museum [[Remigio Crespo Toral]]
*Museum of the Central Bank
*Museum of the Aboriginal Cultures
*Church of Santo Domingo
*San Blas
*Turi the Mirador
*Ruinas de todos los santos. In this ancient place, four niches of Inca origin exist. Their form is trapezoidal, and they are built of stone. It includes the remains of a colonial mill.

[[File:Catedral de la Inmaculada Concepción, Cuenca.jpg|thumb|Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception.]]
[[File:Museo Banco Central Cuenca.png|thumb|Museo Banco Central Cuenca]]

===Surroundings===
*Molleturo, a vast rural area (about {{convert|1,000|km2|sqmi|0|abbr=off|disp=or}}) situated in Ecuador's southern Andes, is composed of several little villages (hamlets). The centre of the area is located 1.5 hours away by car from the nearest big city (Cuenca). This distance, however, is very short compared to ten years ago, when there was no road for cars and it took people three days of mule riding to get to Cuenca. In spite of the advantages, the road has also had negative impacts on the ecological system, which is still very important for people's daily survival.
*Jima, located near Cuenca, is a hiking hotspot for southern Ecuador. Jima is located at the base of two beautiful green mountains at {{convert|8,800|ft|m|abbr=off}}. Hikes for all skill levels are available, including a three-day hike from the peaks of the Andes mountains down into the lush tropical rainforest of the Amazon basin.
*[[Gualaceo]]
*Chordeleg, located less than {{convert|50|km|mi|0|abbr=off}} from Cuenca, is a town of Cañari origin known for its [[weaving|weavers]], [[Embroidery|embroiderers]], and [[pottery|potters]]. This same area includes a stone corridor in snake form, built in pre-Inca time, known for gold and silver smiths and local jewelry.
[[File:Cajasview ecuador.jpg|thumb|upright|View of Cajas National Park]]
*[[El Cajas]], a national park with rivers, streams, and lagoons, is located in a region in which the altitude varies from {{convert|3,500|to|4,200|m|ft|abbr=off}} above sea level. It is a place for [[bird watching|bird watchers]] and [[trout]] [[fishing|fishermen]].
[[File:Ecuador cajas national park.jpg|thumb|left|Lacs en miroir (Mirrored lakes) in Cajas National Park]]
*[[Azogues]], the capital of [[Cañar Province]], is located {{convert|29|km|mi|abbr=off}} from Cuenca. A city with a colonial atmosphere, one of its highlights is San Francisco's convent, built on the summit of a huaca (sacred mountain) of the prehispanic residents.
*Cañar plantation, with a colorful market and the nearby ruins of [[Ingapirca]] (''Kichwa:'' "Inca wall"), is located {{convert|65|km|mi|abbr=off}} from Cuenca and is usually the starting point for the trips to the famous ruins that, according to experts, were used to control the native Cañaris. Stores, bathrooms, a tambo for the Inca, and a temple dedicated to the sun are all part of Ingapirca, which was built in the 15th century by orders of [[Huayna Capac]].

==Culture==
===Festivities===
One of the festivities celebrated in Cuenca and in other parts of Ecuador is "El Carnaval." This holiday is celebrated three days prior to [[Ash Wednesday]]. Families get together to celebrate what started as a "pagan ritual." Now it is celebrated by wetting friends and random people with water balloons and spraying "Carioca," a nonstaining foam.{{citation needed|date=August 2025}}

Additionally, Cuenca's Independence Day is celebrated at the beginning of November. The festivities span a number of days and consist of various parades, concerts, cultural events, and artisan fairs.<ref>{{cite web |title=Agenda Digital de las fiestas de Cuenca |url=https://www.eltiempo.com.ec/noticias/cuenca/2/agenda-digital-de-las-fiestas-de-cuenca |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190121064114/https://www.eltiempo.com.ec/noticias/cuenca/2/agenda-digital-de-las-fiestas-de-cuenca |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 21, 2019 |website=El Tiempo |date=27 October 2017 |access-date=20 January 2019}}</ref>

===Gastronomy===
The gastronomy of Cuenca shares characteristics with other mountainous parts of Ecuador. As in other regions of Ecuador, cuy ([[guinea pig]]) and [[hornado]] are popular traditional dishes.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Haines |first1=Dena |title=Pork and Cuy: Street Food in Cuenca |url=https://gringosabroad.com/cuy-pork-cuenca-ecuador/ |website=GringosAbroad |date=11 March 2014 |access-date=21 January 2019}}</ref> Additionally, dishes made from potatoes and corn (different kinds of [[mote (food)|mote]]) such as [[Llapingachos]], [[mote pillo]], mote pata, and morocho are popular. Trout, which can be caught in nearby [[El Cajas National Park]], is another popular dish.<ref>{{cite web |title=Celebrations and gastronomy |url=http://cuenca.com.ec/en/gastronomy |website=Turismo Cuenca Ecuador |publisher=Fundacion Municipal Turismo Para Cuenca - Ecuador |access-date=21 January 2019}}</ref>

In Cuenca, lunch is the largest meal of the day and is typically served in two courses.<ref>{{cite web |title=Food & Drink in Ecuador |url=https://www.frommers.com/destinations/ecuador/food--drink |publisher=Frommer's |access-date=21 January 2019}}</ref> The first course is soup, which is followed by a plate of stewed or grilled meat and rice.{{citation needed|date=August 2025}}

==Transport==
{{more citations needed section|date=August 2025}}
[[File:Calles Centro Histórico de Cuenca.JPG|thumb|Street view of Simón Bolívar Street, named after [[Simón Bolívar]], next to Calderón Park, in the [[Historical Center of Cuenca (Ecuador)|Historical Center]]. ]]

[[File:Tranvía de Cuenca 01.jpg|thumb|Street view of Tranvía de Cuenca]]
[[File:Cuenca Ecuador..pic 3.5a Tour Bus, South America Andes Mountains.jpg|thumb|Street view from top deck, 2nd floor view. double decker bus in Cuenca, Ecuador]]

===Bus station===
Cuenca's interprovincial bus station, called the Terminal Terrestre as it is in most cities, is well organized and clean. It is located on Avenida España in the northeastern corner of the city, a twenty-minute walk or a brief taxi ride from the historic center. Also, many city buses provide frequent service as indicated by the "Terminal Terrestre" placard on the windshield.

Buses arrive and depart throughout the day. Service is available to major cities, such as Guayaquil and Quito and also to nearby cities such as Loja, Riobamba, or Machala. The distance to Guayaquil is 243&nbsp;km. and the bus takes nearly 4 hours on the highway Durán-Pto.Inca-Molleturo (I582W), a scenic ride through the Cajas National Park. Quito is 497&nbsp;km from Cuenca, and the trip takes around 10 hours on the Pan-American Highway (I35N). Many prefer to travel by bus at night. Those who choose to travel overnight should exercise caution due to reported bus hijacks, which have resulted in armed robbery.{{citation needed|date=March 2020}}

===Airport===
The airport, Aeropuerto Mariscal Lamar ([[Mariscal Lamar International Airport]]), is due east of the Terminal Terrestre ([[bus station]]) on Avenida España. It is a five-minute walk from the bus station. Two airlines currently serve Cuenca: [[Avianca Ecuador]] and [[LATAM Ecuador]] both fly to Quito. It is Ecuador's third-busiest airport, with over 1,400,000 passengers passing through its gates every year.

===Tram===
{{Main|Cuenca Tramway}}

A [[tram]]/[[light rail]] line was completed in early 2019, and the tramway opened May 25, 2020.
The line runs a total of 10.5&nbsp;km.(7 miles) with 27 stations, starting at Cuenca Industrial Park in the north, crossing the Historic Center of Cuenca, and ending south at the entrance to Baños.<ref name="MetroReport-May2020">{{cite magazine |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=29 May 2020 |title=Cuenca tramway opens |url=https://www.railwaygazette.com/light-rail-and-tram/cuenca-tramway-opens/56639.article |magazine=[[Metro Report International]] |publisher=DVV Media International Ltd. |access-date=2021-10-15}}</ref>

===Cuenca public transportation statistics===
According to the Moovit Public Transport Index, Cuenca's bus system compares extremely favorably with other cities in Latin America. The average amount of time people spend commuting with public transit in Cuenca, for example to and from work, is 51 minutes on a weekday, with only 7% of public transit riders riding for more than 2 hours every day. The average amount of time people wait at a bus stop or bus station for public transit is 11 minutes, while a mere 9% of riders wait for over 20 minutes on average every day. The average distance people usually ride in a single trip with public transit is 3.8&nbsp;km, while 0% travel for over 12&nbsp;km in a single direction.<ref>{{cite web|title=Cuenca Public Transportation Statistics|publisher= Global Public Transit Index by Moovit|url=https://moovitapp.com/insights/en/Moovit_Insights_Public_Transit_Index_Ecuador_Cuenca-3813|access-date=June 19, 2017}} [[File:CC-BY icon.svg|50px]] Material was copied from this source, which is available under a [https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License].</ref> In 2018, the flat-rate bus fare is 30 US cents, with fares for children, students, seniors, and the disabled costing only 15 US cents.

== Twin towns – Sister cities ==
{{See also|List of twin towns and sister cities in South America}}Cuenca is [[Twin towns and sister cities|twinned]] with:

*{{flagicon|ARG}} [[Rosario]], Argentina<ref name="Rosario twinnings">{{cite web |url=http://www.rosario.gov.ar/mr/mri/www/city-city-program/town-twinning-agreements |title=Town Twinning Agreements |publisher=Municipalidad de Rosario - Buenos Aires 711 |access-date=2014-10-14 |archive-date=2015-03-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150319103223/http://www.rosario.gov.ar/mr/mri/www/city-city-program/town-twinning-agreements |url-status=dead }}</ref>
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Tempe, Arizona]], United States
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Peekskill, New York]], United States

==See also==
{{Portal|Ecuador}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons}}
{{EB1911 poster|Cuenca (Ecuador)}}
{{wikivoyage|Cuenca (Ecuador)}}
* [http://www.cuenca.com.ec/ Official Travel Guide To Cuenca, with maps, hotels, restaurants, photos & more information about Cuenca]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110324102405/http://www.cuencatransit.com/ A Guide to Using the City Buses in Cuenca]
* [http://www.cuenca.gob.ec/ Cuenca government] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928053808/http://www.cuenca.gob.ec/ |date=2011-09-28 }}
* [http://www.ucuenca.edu.ec Universidad de Cuenca]
* [http://www.uazuay.edu.ec Universidad del azuay]
* [http://ecuadorrealestate.org/2010-ecuador-national-holiday-calendar/ Ecuador Special Events and Holiday Calendar]
* [http://www.revistacuenca.com Cultura, tradición y turismo de Cuenca - Ecuador]
* [http://www.ubicacuenca.com Cuenca in 360° view, Map of Cuenca ] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171026222340/http://www.ubicacuenca.com/ |date=2017-10-26 }}
* [http://www.ubicacuenca.com/directorio Business Directory ] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161105141030/http://www.ubicacuenca.com//directorio |date=2016-11-05 }}
* [http://www.ubicacuenca.com/gastronomia Gastronomic Guide ] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161105143054/http://www.ubicacuenca.com//gastronomia |date=2016-11-05 }}

{{Province capitals in Ecuador}}
{{Cantons of Ecuador}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Cuenca, Ecuador| ]]
[[Category:Populated places in Azuay Province]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1557]]
[[Category:Provincial capitals in Ecuador]]
[[Category:World Heritage Sites in Ecuador]]
[[Category:1557 establishments in the Spanish Empire]]