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Tulcan

Tulcán
Cementerio, Tulcán, Ecuador, 2015-07-21, DD 65.JPG
Flag of Tulcán
Flag
Nickname(s): "Heir of the Sun, and Earth"
Tulcán is located in Ecuador
Tulcán
Tulcán
Coordinates: 0°48′42″N 77°43′7″W / 0.81167°N 77.71861°W / 0.81167; -77.71861Coordinates: 0°48′42″N 77°43′7″W / 0.81167°N 77.71861°W / 0.81167; -77.71861
Country Ecuador
Province Carchi
Government
 • Mayor Julio Robles
Area
 • City 138.75 km2 (53.57 sq mi)
 • Metro 1,828.17 km2 (705.86 sq mi)
Elevation 2,980 m (9,780 ft)
Population (2010 census)
 • City 60,403
 • Density 440/km2 (1,100/sq mi)
 • Metro 86,498
Demonym(s) Tulcaneño,-a
Time zone UTC-5
Postal code EC040101-2
Area code(s) (+593) 6
Climate Csb
Website www.gmtulcan.gob.ec (Spanish)

Tulcán is the capital of the province of Carchi in Ecuador. The population of Tulcán is approximately 60,400. Tulcán is known for its hot springs, deep wells, and a 3-acre topiary garden cemetery, the most elaborate topiary in the New World, created in Cupressus sempervirens by José Maria Azael Franco in 1936. The city is the highest in Ecuador, at 2,950 m (9,680 ft) above sea level.

The name is a Spaniard derivation of the indigenous peoples' original name Hul-Can, which in Mayan means "Warrior".

The known history of the aboriginal occupants of this lands begins with the conquest of the Incas, who never definitively conquered this people. The Spanish, seeking gold, became interested in the Quillasinga (the name given to the land), meaning "Gold Noses". Quillasinga was named without distinction of the ethnic occupants including the Pastos. Upon assuming the sovereignty for the Spanish crown, the territory was divided into provinces: Quillasinga road to Quito, Quillasinga road to Popayan, Quillasinga road to Almaguer, and Quillasinga road of the mountains. Tulcan's foundation is said to have been on June 11, 1535. With the arrival of colonists and further Spanish conquistadors, its growth increased and immediately passed to serve the Township of Otavalo, until 1600 when it passed to the township of Ibarra.

During the colonial age it remained under the authority of the Real Audiencia de Quito, in which it increased its economic importance, until it became the most significant locality in the region.

Independence movements and proclamations sparked through the region. The independence movement in Carchi was led by Alejandro Ruano, Antonio Baca, Cecilio Arciniegas, Esteban Baca, Leandro Campiño, José María Pava, Antonio Rueda, and Ramón Montenegro. On April 14, 1814 with charges of conspiracy of fighting for independence, these men were shot in Bolivar. The population continued its rebellion and in 1820, it ratified the Declaration of Independence of 9 de Octubre. Upon Ecuador becoming a republic, Tulcán retained its importance because it became a border town.


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