Pomasqui Valley Explained

Pomasqui Valley is a valley on the northern outskirts of Quito, Ecuador. It is located on the equator, the so-called "Mitad del Mundo" ("Middle of the World"), at an altitude of around above sea level. Hot and semi-arid, it is formed by a river tributary.^[1] The valley contains the Cerro de Catequilla, which contains the pre-Columbian astronomical observatory, Catequilla. The village of Pomasqui itself lies roughly from the equator.^[2] The Monjas River flows nearby and the valley is an important centre for viniculture in Ecuador, with vineyards.^[3] The economy features vegetable and fruit production.^[4] To the northwest is the Pululahua Geobotanical Reserve.

History

The valley played an important role in military conflict as the Spanish army under Benalcazar invaded in 1534. Atahualpa leaders such as Rumiñahui and Quizquiz led organized attacks against the invading Spanish, and some 4000 locals were slaughtered by them here for giving in to the invaders.^{[5] [6]}

Further reading

• Almeida, R. E. (1995). Apuntes etnohistóricos del Valle de Pomasqui ("Ethnohistorical notes Pomasqui Valley"). Quito: Ediciones Abya-Yala.

0°N -78.4287°W

Notes and References

1. Book: Salomon, Frank. Ethnic lords of Quito in the age of the Incas: the political economy of North-Andean chiefdoms. 20 July 2012. 1978. Cornell University. 236.
2. Book: Rachowiecki, Rob. Ecuador and the Galápagos Islands. 16 July 2012. 1992. Lonely Planet Publications. 978-0-86442-148-7. 137.
3. Book: Perrottet. Tony. Eames. Andrew. Gil. Eduardo. Bell, Brian. Ecuador, Galápagos. 16 July 2012. 1996. APA Publications. 978-0-395-75500-6. 342.
4. Book: Newson, Linda A.. Life and Death in Early Colonial Ecuador. 20 July 2012. 1995. University of Oklahoma Press. 978-0-8061-2697-5. 180–.
5. Book: Alchon, Suzanne Austin. Native Society and Disease in Colonial Ecuador. 16 July 2012. 18 July 2002. Cambridge University Press. 978-0-521-52945-7. 33.
6. Book: Rowe. Ann Pollard. Meisch. Lynn. Costume and History in Highland Ecuador. 16 July 2012. 1 June 2011. University of Texas Press. 978-0-292-72591-1. 96.