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![[Flag of Guaranda Canton]](../images/e/ec-b-gua1.gif)
image by Zoltan Horvath, 15 November 2014
Parishes:
See also:
Guaranda is the Capital of Bolívar. Symbols of Guaranda
Canton are based on <www.municipioguaranda.gov.ec> [Dead link. Ed.].
Jens Pattke, 12 January 2005
Guaranda Canton (91,877 inhabitants in 2010; 1,898 sq. km) is located in the
north-east of the Bolívar province. The town of (San Pedro de) Guaranda, located
2,668 m above the seal level, 220 km of Quito and 150 km of Guayaquil, is the
capital of the province. The town of Guaranda was proclaimed Cultural Heritage
of Ecuador on 23 October 1997.
The early history of Guaranda is known from a document written in 1581 by Miguel
de Cantos, "corregidor" of Chimbo. At the end of the 15th century, the area was
divided into several interethnic domains, the strongest of them being Camayo and
Chimbo. The Incas established their rule on the area by settling it with
"mitmacunas" - natives from areas placed under the direct influence of Cuzco and
ruled by a "curaca".
The Inca rule would be short-lived, since the Spanish colonizers soon noticed
the strategic location of the valley, being the shortest connection between
Guayaquil and Quito. Benalcázar founded Chimbo in 1534; Guaranda was recorded in
1592, although of minor significance, compared with Chimbo, which had been
erected capital of a "corregimiento" in 1581. With time, Guaranda became the
main trading center of the region, so that the capital of the "corregimiento"
was transferred from Chimbo to Guaranda in 1779. Guaranda was granted the title
of "villa" on 11 November 1811 by the Government of Quito. During the struggle
for independence, the road connecting Guayaquil and Quito was fiercely disputed.
The battle of Camino Real (Royal Road), won on 9 November 1820 by the
independentists, was a decisive step towards the liberation form the colonial
rule; the next day, Guaranda proclaimed its independence from the Spanish rule.
The Law of Territorial Division of Gran Colombia, adopted on 25 June 1824,
incorporated Guaranda to the Pichincha Province. In 1830, after the separation
of Gran Colombia, Guaranda was incorporated to the Chimborazo province. García
Moreno established on 3 March 1860 the Chimbo Canton; Guaranda and Chimbo were
transferred to the Los Ríos Province. The Bolívar Province was established on 23
April 1884 by the National Convention, and inaugurated on 15 May, with Guaranda
as its capital.
Ivan Sache, 15 November 2014
The symbols of Guaranda were adopted on 7 February 1984 by the Municipal
Council. The flag and arms were designed by Héctor del Pozo Campana.
The flag is horizontally divided dark red-white-blue, with the municipal coat of
arms in the middle, extending into the upper and lower stripes of the flag. Red
is a symbol of force and noble vitality. Red also represents the valourous
character of the people, the acts they have contributed and that are the
historical emblems of our heritage, and the sacrifice of the heroes, an example
of dignity and patriotism for the next generations.
White is a symbol of dignity, honesty and justice, which are the virtues of the
Bolívar people. White is also a symbol of peace, a value emphasized by the
Guaranda people in their everyday's acts.
Blue is a symbol of the wide horizon that unites to a sky of noble aspirations
and hope and reflects in several watercourses, whose water fertilizes the
Bolívar countryside, permitting a permanent human presence on the land , in
which is traced the promising furrow that will provide us with fruit that feed
our lives. All together, red, white and blue represent vigourous blood,
purifying dignity and a promising firmament.
Source:
http://www.guaranda.gob.ec/web/el-canton/simbolos-civicos - Municipal
website
Photos (Municipal Council):
http://www.guaranda.gob.ec/web/gobierno-municipal/concejo-municipal
http://www.guaranda.gob.ec/web/images/guaranda/inconformidad.jpg
http://www.guaranda.gob.ec/web/images/guaranda/comprometidos.JPG
http://www.guaranda.gob.ec/web/images/guaranda/ant.jpg
http://www.guaranda.gob.ec/web/images/4.jpg
http://www.guaranda.gob.ec/web/images/guaranda/destacado/emapag.jpg
http://www.guaranda.gob.ec/web/images/guaranda/destacado/1.jpg
Ivan Sache, 15 November 2014
![[Flag of Bolivar]](../images/e/ec-b-gua.gif)
by Jens Pattke, 12 January 2005
b-gua.gif)
by Jens Pattke, 12 January 2005
The coat of arms is made of a rhomb with concave and convex sides, ensigned
by a white scroll standing on the top part of the cornucopias. The outer parts
of the scroll are inscribed with the date of emancipation from the Spanish rule;
the central part of the scroll is inscribed with the motto "Guaranda la
soberbia, la ninfa de los Andes" (Guaranda the Superb, the Nymph of the Andes),
indeed the first verse of the lyrics of the municipal anthem, written by Eliza
Mariño de Carvajal. The shield is supported by two cornucopias filled with the
products of the fertile land: coffee, rice, sugarcane, oranges and bananas. The
shield is surmounted by nine yellow stars, representing the rural parishes
incorporated in Guaranda Canton, and, in the middle, another, bigger yellow
star, representing the town of Guaranda.
The upper quarter of the shield features volcano Chimborazo, as the eternal
sentinel of the struggle and a symbol of permanence of the conquests, under the
sun, the source of life that generates wealth all over the canton. In the
foreground are represented the seven hills of San Jacinto, Cruz Loma, Loma de
Guaranda, El Calvario, San Bartola, Tililac and Talalac; like in Rome, they are
the emblem of honour and the sentinels of the town.
The lower left quarter features on a blood red background a branch of laurel,
which represents the innumerable historical triumphs. Glorious dates of the
local history are 10 November 1820, 7 May 1860, 9 April 1895, and 15 May
1884.The lower right quarter features on a pure blue background a quill, as a
symbol of culture, examplified by Ángel Polibio Cháves* and Gabriel Ignacio de
Veintimilla**.
* Ángel Polibio Cháves (1855-1930) founded several newspapers ("El Ecuatoriano",
"El Pichincha", "El Independiente", "El Orden", "El Guía", "Principios") and
contributed articles to the most significant Ecuadorian newspapers. Representing
Los Ríos Province at the National Convention (1883-1884), he pushed the
establishment of a new province, as a "permanent tribute of Ecuador to the
famous liberator Bolívar", and was appointed the first Governor of the newly
established Bolívar Province.
** Gabriel Ignacio de Veintimilla (1828-1908), President of Ecuador from 1876 to
1883, supported the establishment of the Bolívar Province.
Source:
http://www.guaranda.gob.ec/web/el-canton/simbolos-civicos - Municipal
website
Ivan Sache, 15 November 2014
