# Gualaceo

> city in Azuay, Ecuador

**Wikidata**: [Q13191114](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q13191114)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gualaceo)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/gualaceo

## Summary

Gualaceo is a city located in the Azuay Province of Ecuador, serving as the administrative capital of the Gualaceo Canton. Founded in April 1534 by Spanish conquistador Sebastián de Belalcázar, the city sits at an elevation of 2,235 metres above sea level and had a population of 13,843 residents as of the 2022 census. Known by its official name Santiago de Gualaceo and home to a population that identifies as gualaceño, the city is situated along the Santa Bárbara River and San Francisco River, featuring a rich colonial heritage centered around its patron saint, St. James the Elder.

## Key Facts

- **Official Name:** Santiago de Gualaceo
- **Location:** Azuay Province, Ecuador; coordinates -2.8864 latitude, -78.776 longitude
- **Administrative Status:** Capital of Gualaceo Canton
- **Founding Date:** April 1534
- **Founder:** Sebastián de Belalcázar
- **Population:** 13,843 (2022 census)
- **Area:** 6.62 square kilometres
- **Elevation:** 2,235 metres above sea level
- **Timezone:** UTC−05:00
- **Demonym:** gualaceño
- **Patron Saint:** St. James the Elder
- **UN/Locode:** ECGUO
- **Postal Code:** EC010350
- **Local Dialing Code:** 593 7
- **Website:** https://www.gualaceo.gob.ec/
- **Geonames ID:** 3657670
- **GNS Unique Feature ID:** -927344
- **Who's on First ID:** 421179425
- **Classification:** City (instance_of)
- **Head of Government:** Mayor

## FAQs

**What is Gualaceo known for?**

Gualaceo is known as a colonial city in the Azuay Province of Ecuador, famous for its founding by Sebastián de Belalcázar in 1534 and its elevation of 2,235 metres making it one of the higher-altitude cities in Ecuador. The city serves as the capital of Gualaceo Canton and honors St. James the Elder as its patron saint.

**What rivers flow through Gualaceo?**

Gualaceo is located alongside two rivers: the Santa Bárbara River and the San Francisco River, both situated in the Azuay Province region.

**What is the population and area of Gualaceo?**

Gualaceo has a population of 13,843 residents according to the 2022 census, covering an area of 6.62 square kilometres at an elevation of 2,235 metres above sea level.

**When was Gualaceo founded and by whom?**

Gualaceo was founded in April 1534 by the Spanish conquistador Sebastián de Belalcázar, who played a significant role in the Spanish colonization of Ecuador.

**What is the postal code and dialing code for Gualaceo?**

The postal code for Gualaceo is EC010350, and the local dialing code is 593 7.

## Why It Matters

Gualaceo matters as a historical colonial settlement that represents the Spanish conquest and settlement patterns in the Andean region of Ecuador. Founded in 1534 by Sebastián de Belalcázar, the city embodies nearly five centuries of continuous habitation and administrative function as the capital of Gualaceo Canton. Its significance is amplified by its geographic positioning at 2,235 metres above sea level, placing it within the highland region that has been historically important for indigenous and colonial communities alike. The city's role as a municipal seat and its designation as the capital of its canton demonstrates its continued administrative relevance within Ecuador's provincial structure. Furthermore, Gualaceo's presence along the Santa Bárbara River and San Francisco River has historically supported agricultural and economic activities for its residents, while its patron saint designation reflects the deep cultural and religious traditions that shape community identity in southern Ecuador.

## Notable For

- One of the oldest continuously inhabited colonial settlements in Azuay Province, founded in 1534
- Located at a significant elevation of 2,235 metres above sea level
- Serves as the administrative capital of Gualaceo Canton
- Home to the Santa Bárbara River and San Francisco River
- Features the official name Santiago de Gualaceo, honoring St. James the Elder as patron saint
- Part of the UN/Locode system with identifier ECGUO
- Available in nine Wikipedia language editions (ceb, commons, en, es, it, lt, pl, qu, sv)

## Body

### History and Foundation

Gualaceo was founded in April 1534 by the Spanish conquistador Sebastián de Belalcázar, who was instrumental in the Spanish colonization of what is now Ecuador. The city's founding represents one of the earliest European settlement efforts in the Azuay Province region, establishing a colonial presence that would persist for nearly five centuries. The city was established under the official name Santiago de Gualaceo, with St. James the Elder designated as the patron saint—a naming convention common among Spanish colonial settlements that often honored religious figures and Spanish monarchs. This colonial foundation established Gualaceo as a significant settlement within the broader Spanish colonial administrative structure in the Andean highlands.

### Geography and Location

Gualaceo is situated in the Azuay Province of Ecuador at coordinates -2.8864 latitude and -78.776 longitude. The city sits at an elevation of 2,235 metres above sea level, placing it in the highland or Sierra region of Ecuador. This elevation contributes to the city's distinct climate and environmental characteristics. The municipal boundaries encompass an area of 6.62 square kilometres, making it a moderately sized city within the province. Gualaceo is positioned along two significant waterways: the Santa Bárbara River and the San Francisco River, both of which flow through the Azuay Province. These river systems have historically provided water resources for agricultural use and have influenced the settlement patterns and economic development of the region.

### Administrative Structure

As the capital of Gualaceo Canton, Gualaceo serves as the administrative centre for the surrounding municipal area. The city houses the local government headed by a mayor, who holds the office of head of government. This administrative designation elevates Gualaceo's status within the provincial hierarchy, making it a focal point for municipal services, civil administration, and local governance. The city's administrative code for postal services is EC010350, facilitating mail distribution throughout the municipality. The UN/Locode identifier ECGUO further establishes Gualaceo's recognition within international trade and logistics systems.

### Demographics and Population

According to the 2022 census, Gualaceo has a population of 13,843 residents. The local population identifies using the demonym "gualaceño" for individuals male and "gualaceña" for females, reflecting a distinct local identity within the broader regional culture of Azuay Province. The city's population density and demographic composition reflect its role as a regional administrative centre and its historical significance as a colonial settlement. The local dialing code 593 7 connects the municipality to Ecuador's telecommunications network, facilitating communication within the city and with external regions.

### Cultural and Religious Significance

Gualaceo maintains strong cultural and religious traditions rooted in its colonial heritage. The city is dedicated to St. James the Elder, known in Spanish as Santiago el Mayor, who serves as the patron saint. This religious designation is reflected in the city's official name, Santiago de Gualaceo, and underscores the enduring influence of Catholic traditions established during the Spanish colonial period. The city's cultural identity is further expressed through local customs, festivals, and community traditions that have been passed down through generations of gualaceño residents.

### International Recognition and Classification

Gualaceo is classified as a city, representing an instance of a large human settlement within the Wikidata knowledge base. The city has been assigned multiple unique identifiers across various international databases: Geonames ID 3657670, GNS Unique Feature ID -927344, and Who's on First ID 421179425. These identifiers facilitate the city's representation in geographic information systems, mapping applications, and international datasets. The Yale Lux ID place/8f789043-b80a-4c0e-94cd-3b6063299333 further establishes the city's presence in academic and research databases. Gualaceo is documented across nine Wikipedia language editions (Cebuano, Commons, English, Spanish, Italian, Lithuanian, Polish, Quechua, and Swedish), indicating its international visibility and relevance to diverse linguistic communities.

### Infrastructure and Communication

The city maintains an official municipal website at https://www.gualaceo.gob.ec/, providing digital access to local government services, public information, and administrative resources. The municipality operates within the UTC−05:00 timezone, consistent with Ecuador's Eastern Standard Time. This timezone alignment facilitates coordination with other Ecuadorian cities and international partners. The city's infrastructure supports both resident needs and its function as the administrative centre for Gualaceo Canton, including municipal services, transportation connections, and communication networks.

## References

1. [Source](https://app.powerbi.com/view?r=eyJrIjoiNWUzMjQwOWMtZjFhOS00NjczLTk0YTItNjcwZmRmY2YxMjkyIiwidCI6ImYxNThhMmU4LWNhZWMtNDQwNi1iMGFiLWY1ZTI1OWJkYTExMiJ9)
2. [Source](https://service.unece.org/trade/locode/ec.htm)
3. [Source](https://app.sni.gob.ec/sni-link/sni/PORTAL_SNI/data_sigad_plus/sigadplusdiagnostico/0160000430001DiagnosticoComponentes_15-11-2014.pdf)