 | This article includes a list ofgeneral references, butit lacks sufficient correspondinginline citations. Please help toimprove this article byintroducing more precise citations.(June 2025) (Learn how and when to remove this message) |
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″S78°36′57.88″W / 0.9319389°S 78.6160778°W /-0.9319389; -78.6160778 | |
| Country |  Ecuador |
| Province |  Cotopaxi |
| Canton | Latacunga |
| Founded | April 12, 1557 |
| Founded by | Antonio de Clavijo |
| Named after | 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 | 3,865/km2 (10,010/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 aplateau city ofEcuador, capital of theCotopaxi Province, 89 km (55 mi) south ofQuito, near the confluence of theAlaquez andCutuchi rivers to form the Patate, the headstream of thePastaza.[2] At the time of census 2022 Latacunga had a population of 77,267[1] largelymestizo and indigenous.
Latacunga took its independence from Spain on November 11, 1820.[3]
Latacunga is an hour and half south from Quito on the Pan-American Highway. It was previously also on the old road from Quito toGuayaquil, and has arailway station between those cities. It is 9, 383. 2 ft (2,860 m). abovesea level. Its climate is cold and windy, due to the neighboring snowclad heights, and the barren,pumice-coveredtableland on which it stands. The activevolcanoCotopaxi is only 25 kilometres (16 mi) away, and the town has suffered repeatedly from eruptions. Founded in 1534, it was four times destroyed byearthquakes between1698 and 1798. The neighboring ruins of an older native town are said to date from theInca Empire.[2]
Latacunga's most noted food ischugchucaras,empanadas,plantains,popcorn, and tostado (a type of toasted corn). Often, food is mixed withají, 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, theCotopaxi 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 filmMaria Full of Grace was filmed out of the Latacunga airport using local extras. The landscape seen from the plane is the area surrounding Latacunga.
La Fiesta de la Mama Negra is a well-known traditional festival in Latacunga.[4] It takes place twice a year, and originates from a mixture of indigenous, Spanish and African influences. The first one was organized in September by the people from the markets "La Merced y Del Salto" in honor of theVirgin of Mercy,Virgen de la Merced. The Virgin is venerated because she allegedly stopped the Cotopaxi Volcano eruption in 1742. Inhabitants of Latacunga call herAbogada y patrona del volcan, meaning "advocate and patron of the volcano".
The second celebration is a party which Latacunga's inhabitants celebrate every year on Ecuador'sIndependence Day. It is a parade with the participation of well-known people, the army, clergy and others.[5]
Both of these fiestas include a lengthy parade of various cultural characters, all dressed-up in various colors. The 'mama negra' is the last person to pass through, which is the culmination of each parade. It is a person with their face painted in black, riding a horse, and spraying the crowd with milk. Homemade strong alcoholic drinks are freely passed between one another along the parade route, which can be quite chaotic, closing the road at times and making the route impassable.
Latacunga's historic downtown extends about 30 squares. Prominent buildings to visit are:
Latacunga features anOceanic climate (Cfb) underKöppen climate classification.
| Climate data for Latacunga, elevation 2,860 m (9,380 ft), (1971–2000) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 20.3 (68.5) | 19.9 (67.8) | 19.2 (66.6) | 19.2 (66.6) | 19.0 (66.2) | 18.0 (64.4) | 18.0 (64.4) | 18.4 (65.1) | 19.1 (66.4) | 20.0 (68.0) | 20.5 (68.9) | 20.4 (68.7) | 19.3 (66.8) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 7.9 (46.2) | 7.2 (45.0) | 8.2 (46.8) | 8.5 (47.3) | 8.2 (46.8) | 7.3 (45.1) | 7.1 (44.8) | 6.5 (43.7) | 6.7 (44.1) | 7.2 (45.0) | 7.2 (45.0) | 7.5 (45.5) | 7.5 (45.4) |
| Averageprecipitation mm (inches) | 30.0 (1.18) | 53.0 (2.09) | 54.0 (2.13) | 66.0 (2.60) | 40.0 (1.57) | 28.0 (1.10) | 15.0 (0.59) | 15.0 (0.59) | 25.0 (0.98) | 55.0 (2.17) | 52.0 (2.05) | 42.0 (1.65) | 475 (18.7) |
| Averagerelative humidity (%) | 72 | 73 | 76 | 77 | 76 | 77 | 76 | 74 | 73 | 73 | 72 | 70 | 74 |
| Source: FAO[7] | |||||||||||||
One or more of the preceding sentences incorporates text from a publication now in thepublic domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Latacunga".Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 16 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 239.
Provincial capitals in Ecuador | ||
|---|---|---|
Within regions, north to south | ||
| Insular |  | |
| Costa | ||
| Sierra | ||
| Oriente | ||
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Other | |
