Salinas de Guaranda
Salinas de Guaranda, also known as Salinas de Tomabela, is an Ecuadorian village at the altitude of 3550 m at the Andes in the province of Bolivar. It is known for its solidarity based economy and cooperative companies that produce cheeses, chocolates, dried mushrooms and fruits, alpaca wool yarn and textiles. The products are sold under the brand Salinerito.
History
The history of Salinas began long before the Spanish conquest, the first inhabitants were Tomabelas tribe, Chimbus tribe and Simiatug tribe, in 1884 it was named civil parish, but in 1970 it began to develop vertiginously with the support of Italian clergy, missionaries and international NGOs, such as the Ecuadorian Populorum Progressio Fund (created by Monsignor Cándido Rada), Swiss Technical Cooperation, etc.; as well as the initiative of its people to seek progress for the community through Minkas (ancient work cooperatives of the inhabitants of a community) to subsequently develop a system of self-management in certain activities.
Tourism
Salinas de Guaranda is the most touristic town; it is lovely land, near there are geological and strange formations of interest for archaeology and history. Going from Salinas to Simiatug, it is distinguished in an immense plain of side and side groups of living stone that resemble famous cities with castles, cliffs, towers, columns as well as monoliths of ancient times.
There are some local businesses that can organize guided tours within the town and also small towns around. Salinas also has lodging, food and ecotourism like Tomabelas Tours Operator.