# Tena

> city in Ecuador, capital of the Napo Province

**Wikidata**: [Q994312](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q994312)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tena,_Ecuador)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/tena

## Summary

Tena is a city in Ecuador that serves as the capital of Napo Province, located in the Amazon region at an elevation of 510 meters above sea level. Founded on November 15, 1560, by Spanish conquistador Gil Ramírez Dávalos, the city had a population of 29,724 according to the 2022 census and covers an area of 7.42 square kilometres. Its official name, San Juan de los dos ríos de Tena, reflects its geographic position near river confluences in the Ecuadorian Amazon.

## Key Facts

- **Capital Status**: Tena is the capital of both Napo Province and Tena Canton in Ecuador.
- **Population**: 29,724 residents as of the 2022 census, up from 23,307 in 2010.
- **Founding Date**: Established on November 15, 1560.
- **Founder**: Gil Ramírez Dávalos founded the city.
- **Geographic Coordinates**: Located at latitude -0.989 and longitude -77.8159.
- **Elevation**: 510 meters above sea level.
- **Area**: 7.42 square kilometres of urban area.
- **Official Name**: San Juan de los dos ríos de Tena.
- **Common Aliases**: Tena (Ecuador), Tena, Ecuador, Tena (Équateur), Tena, Équateur, Tena (Equador), Tena, Equador, and simply Tena.
- **Demonym**: Residents are called Tenense.
- **Country**: Ecuador.
- **Timezone**: UTC−05:00.
- **Postal Code**: EC150150.
- **Local Dialing Code**: 593 6.
- **UN/LOCODE**: ECTEN.
- **Patron Saint**: Joseph.
- **Head of Government**: The office of mayor leads the city government.
- **Sitelink Count**: 32 Wikipedia sitelinks across 28 languages including Arabic, German, English, Spanish, French, Italian, Korean, Chinese, and Quechua.

## FAQs

**What is Tena and what is its administrative importance?**

Tena is a city in Ecuador that functions as the capital of Napo Province and Tena Canton. It serves as the primary administrative and political center for the province, housing regional government offices and providing services to surrounding Amazon communities.

**Where exactly is Tena located geographically?**

Tena sits at coordinates -0.989 latitude and -77.8159 longitude in the Ecuadorian Amazon region at an elevation of 510 meters. The city's official name, San Juan de los dos ríos de Tena, indicates its location near the confluence of two rivers, specifically the Tena River and another waterway.

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

Spanish conquistador Gil Ramírez Dávalos founded Tena on November 15, 1560, establishing it as a colonial settlement in the Amazon frontier of the Spanish Empire.

**What is the population of Tena and how has it changed?**

The city had 23,307 inhabitants in 2010 and grew to 29,724 residents by the 2022 census, demonstrating consistent population growth over the twelve-year period.

**What are the official identification codes for Tena?**

Tena's UN/LOCODE is ECTEN, its postal code is EC150150, and the local telephone dialing code is 593 6. The city also holds a GeoNames ID of 3650721 and an OpenStreetMap relation ID of 3725877.

**What is the correct demonym for Tena's residents?**

People from Tena are called Tenense, derived from the city's name.

**How is Tena distinguished from similarly named entities?**

Tena is specifically identified as different from Tina, and its official name San Juan de los dos ríos de Tena helps distinguish it from other places that might share the name Tena.

## Why It Matters

Tena matters as the administrative heart of Napo Province, one of Ecuador's key Amazonian regions, positioning it as a critical hub for governance, commerce, and services in a geographically challenging area. Its founding in 1560 by Gil Ramírez Dávalos represents one of the earlier Spanish colonial establishments in the Ecuadorian Amazon, marking a significant historical point of European contact and settlement in a region that would become vital to Ecuador's biodiversity and indigenous heritage. The city's role as capital means it coordinates provincial responses to environmental conservation, indigenous affairs, and economic development in the Amazon basin. Tena's population growth from 23,307 to 29,724 between 2010 and 2022 reflects broader trends of urbanization in Amazonian cities, as people migrate seeking services and opportunities. At 510 meters elevation, Tena occupies a strategic position that provides access to both highland and lowland Amazon ecosystems, making it a gateway for ecotourism, scientific research, and resource management. The city's multiple international identifiers and its presence across 28 Wikipedia language versions demonstrate its recognized importance in global geographic and cultural databases, facilitating international trade, research, and tourism connections.

## Notable For

- **Dual Capital Status**: Serves as capital of both Napo Province and its同名 Tena Canton, a relatively uncommon administrative arrangement.
- **Founding Date Precision**: The exact founding date of November 15, 1560, is specifically documented, providing rare precision for a South American colonial settlement.
- **Founder Identification**: Founded by Gil Ramírez Dávalos, a named Spanish conquistador, linking it directly to documented colonial expansion.
- **River-Confluence Name**: Official name "San Juan de los dos ríos de Tena" explicitly references its location at the meeting point of two rivers, a geographic feature central to its identity.
- **Population Growth Rate**: Achieved a 27.7% population increase from 2010 to 2022, outpacing many similar-sized Amazonian cities.
- **Multilingual Wikipedia Presence**: Maintains articles in 28 languages including Quechua, demonstrating cultural and linguistic significance beyond Spanish colonial heritage.
- **Specific Elevation**: At exactly 510 meters, it sits at a distinctive elevation that influences its climate and ecosystem within the Amazon basin.
- **Comprehensive Identifier Coverage**: Holds over a dozen international standard identifiers including VIAF ID 222745513, Library of Congress ID no2013117377, and BnF ID 12221601f, indicating extensive documentation in global knowledge systems.

## Body

### Administrative Status and Governance

Tena holds dual capital responsibilities as the seat of both Napo Province and Tena Canton. This administrative structure concentrates regional and municipal governance in a single urban center. The city operates under a mayor-led government system, with the mayor serving as head of government. As provincial capital, Tena hosts the provincial governor's office, regional courts, and administrative departments that serve the entire Napo Province territory. The city's official website at http://www.tena.gob.ec provides digital access to municipal services and information.

### Geographic Location and Physical Characteristics

Tena occupies a precise location at latitude -0.989 and longitude -77.8159 in the Ecuadorian Amazon region. The city sits at an elevation of 510 meters above sea level, positioning it in the transition zone between highland and lowland Amazon ecosystems. Its geographic footprint covers 7.42 square kilometres of formally delimited urban area according to a 2015 urban boundary ordinance. The city's official name, San Juan de los dos ríos de Tena, references its position at the confluence of two rivers, including the Tena River that flows through the city center. The timezone for the region is UTC−05:00, consistent with Ecuador's national time standard.

### Historical Founding and Colonial Origins

Spanish conquistador Gil Ramírez Dávalos established Tena on November 15, 1560, as San Juan de los dos ríos de Tena. This founding date places Tena among the earlier colonial settlements in the Ecuadorian Amazon frontier. The establishment represented Spanish efforts to control Amazonian territories and indigenous populations. The patron saint of the city is Joseph, reflecting the Catholic missionary component of Spanish colonization. The city has operated continuously since this founding, maintaining its original name structure while commonly referred to simply as Tena.

### Demographic Profile and Population Dynamics

Census data shows clear population growth in Tena. The 2010 census recorded 23,307 residents. By the 2022 census, the population had increased to 29,724, marking a growth of 6,417 people over twelve years. This 27.7% increase indicates steady urban expansion and migration into the city. Residents of Tena are identified by the demonym Tenense. The population concentrates within the 7.42 square kilometre urban area, creating a dense urban core in the Amazon region.

### Infrastructure, Communication, and Standard Codes

Tena operates within multiple national and international coding systems. The postal code EC150150 facilitates mail delivery. The local telephone dialing code is 593 6 for domestic and international calls. The UN/LOCODE ECTEN identifies the city in international trade and shipping systems. The OpenStreetMap relation ID 3725877 maps the city's boundaries in open geographic data. The city maintains digital infrastructure through its official municipal website at http://www.tena.gob.ec.

### Cultural Identity and Naming Conventions

The city carries multiple names across languages and contexts. Its official Spanish name is San Juan de los dos ríos de Tena. Common variants include Tena (Ecuador), Tena, Ecuador, and language-specific forms like Tena (Équateur) in French and Tena (Equador) in Portuguese. The demonym Tenense identifies residents. The city honors Joseph as its patron saint. A monument to the Quichua ethnic group and a monument to Jumandy appear in the city's central areas, acknowledging indigenous heritage. The city features a cable-stayed bridge at Amazon Park The Island, a boardwalk with night views, and November 15 avenue as notable urban landmarks.

### International Standard Identifiers

Tena maintains extensive documentation in global knowledge systems. The GeoNames ID is 3650721. The VIAF ID is 222745513. The Library of Congress Authority ID is no2013117377. The Bibliothèque nationale de France ID is 12221601f. The WorldCat Entities ID is E39PBJppyHqHwGPrqYT8c6vyh3. The Yale LUX ID is place/1c8741ce-a592-4212-a627-be171c0ef13a. The De Agostini ID is Tena. The Encyclopædia Britannica Online ID is place/Tena. The Who's On First ID is 421201385. The GNS Unique Feature ID is -934322. The Freebase ID is /m/0dqp2h. The SNARC ID is Pasaman.

### Digital and Media Representation

Tena appears across 28 Wikipedia language editions including Arabic, German, English, Spanish, French, Italian, Korean, Dutch, Polish, Quechua, Chinese, and others. The Wikimedia Commons category "Tena, Ecuador" hosts media files. Visual representations include a city collage showing the city center, Tena River, cable-stayed bridge, boardwalk, monuments, and avenues. The city flag appears as Bandera_Tena.svg. A page banner image is Tena_banner.JPG. The montage image Tena_Collage.png provides additional visual documentation. The city maintains 32 Wikipedia sitelinks, indicating significant digital presence. The Wikidata description identifies it as "city in Ecuador, capital of the Napo Province."

## References

1. BnF authorities
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
3. [Source](https://app.powerbi.com/view?r=eyJrIjoiNWUzMjQwOWMtZjFhOS00NjczLTk0YTItNjcwZmRmY2YxMjkyIiwidCI6ImYxNThhMmU4LWNhZWMtNDQwNi1iMGFiLWY1ZTI1OWJkYTExMiJ9)
4. GeoNames
5. [Source](https://service.unece.org/trade/locode/ec.htm)
6. [Source](https://app.sni.gob.ec/sni-link/sni/PORTAL_SNI/data_sigad_plus/sigadplusordenanza/1560000270001_ORDENANZA%20REFORMATORIA%20DELIMITACION%20URBANA%20CIUDAD%20TENA_10-01-2015_13-28-10.pdf)