Ambato, Ecuador

Ambato
City
San Juan de Ambato
From top, left to right: Panoramic view of the city, Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Elevation, Bolivar street, Atocha-La Liria Historical Botanical Garden, Juan Montalvo monument, City hall of Ambato, Cevallos Park and Victor Hugo avenue.
Flag
Nickname(s):  Tierra de las Flores y las Frutas (Land of Flowers and Fruits)
Motto:  Tierrita linda
Ambato Location in Ecuador
Coordinates: 1°14′30″S 78°37′11″W / 1.24167°S 78.61972°W / -1.24167; -78.61972
Country	Ecuador
Province	Tungurahua
Canton	Ambato Canton
Founded	December 6, 1698
Government
• Mayor	Diana Caiza
Area
• City	34.64 km2 (13.37 sq mi)
Elevation	2,577 m (8,455 ft)
Highest elevation	3,900 m (12,800 ft)
Lowest elevation	1,800 m (5,900 ft)
Population  (2022 census)[1]
• City	177,316
• Density	5,100/km2 (13,000/sq mi)
Demonyms	Ambateño,-a
Time zone	UTC-5 (ECT)
Area code	(+593) 3
Climate	Cfb
Website	www.ambato.gob.ec (in Spanish)

Ambato (Spanish pronunciation: [amˈbato]; full form, San Juan de Ambato; Quechua: Ampatu Llaqta) is a city located in the central Andean valley of Ecuador.^[2] Lying on the banks of the Ambato River, the city also sits beneath several tall mountains. It is the capital city of the Tungurahua Province, situated at an elevation of 2,577 meters above sea level. It is variously nicknamed "City of Flowers and Fruits", "Land of the Three Juan's", and "Garden of Ecuador." Ambato's inhabitants are called Ambateños or Guaytambos (after a type of native peach that the valley is famous for producing). The current mayor of Ambato is Diana Caiza.

The city has been fully or partially destroyed by earthquakes several times in its history, most recently on 5 August 1949, when the city and its cathedral were almost completely devastated. The city was rebuilt in the following two years. In honour of the tenacity of their residents, Ambato celebrates "The Festival of Fruits and Flowers" during Carnival in February. Today, the Festival of Fruits and Flowers is one of the most important festivities in Ecuador.

The city is referred to as "Land of the Three Juan's" as it was the birthplace of three notable Ecuadorians: Juan Montalvo, a noted essay writer of the 19th century, Juan León Mera, the author of the country's national anthem, and Juan Benigno Vela, a key figure in the Ecuadorian independence movement. The city is well known for its production of fruit, tanneries, food products and textiles.^[3] It also serves as a major transportation hub, especially for travelers moving south on the Pan-American Highway.