Loja, Ecuador
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Loja is the capital of Ecuador's Loja Province. It was founded by Alonso de Mercadillo in 1548 and has the distinction of being the first city in the country to be wired for electric power provided by a hydroelectric dam that was completed in 1896.
Loja is also famous for having been visited by Simón Bolívar in his campaign to unite Gran Colombia.
Present-day population is approximately 140,000. It is on the route of the Pan-American Highway.
Loja has become a touristic attraction because of the beautiful architecture of its historic downtown, with narrow streets, houses, which facades have been painted with strong colors that call the attention of visitors.
Just south of the city, but located within the province is the village of Vilcabamba, at 1.400 meters above sea level (4.500 feet), with temperatures between 18 and 22 ºC (64 and 72°F) all year round.
The attractive of this village is its great quietness, its houses made of adobe and wood, and in particular the number of its people who are reputed to be over 100 years of age, with all their vital faculties in good shape.
This is the reason why people call this valley, the longevity island, that surprise scientists and tourists.
Loja is known as, "Capital Musical del Ecuador" (the music capital of Ecuador) and "Ciudad doblemente universitaria" (Double universitary city).
Loja city is a source of culture. A local saying is: "The one who does not play the guitar can sing a song; the one who does not sing a song can write a verse; the one who does not write a verse reads a book."
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