Pelileo
Pelileo is a city, with a population of 11,403, located at the center of the Andean region of Ecuador called La Sierra. It is the seat of Pelileo Canton, with a population of 63,897, and forms part of Tungurahua Province.
Pelileo is the third largest city in Tungurahua Province behind neighboring Ambato and Baños. It is famous for the production and sale of blue jeans. Many travelers pass through Pelileo on their way from Ambato to Baños.
History
Pelileo was founded by Antonio Clavijo in 1570 and was elevated to the status of county on 22 July 1860.On 5 August 1949, Pelileo was totally destroyed by an earthquake. Some 5,000 people died within the limits of the county. The only remaining structure still visible from the old city is a broken stone pillar, once part of Pelileo's magnificent main church.
A new city was rebuilt in a nearby location. Currently it is therefore possible to visit both the Great Pelileo, and the New Pelileo.
Economy
Pelileo is also known as the Blue City, because of its booming jean industry, mainly located in the El Tambo parish. Another of the parishes of Pelileo is the world-famous Salasaca, home to a Native American tribe originally from Bolivia that came to the Ecuadorian Andes as mitimaes. The Huambalo parish is well known as the home of artisans of fine furniture.Pelileo is also known for the distillation of a local liquor called aguardiente. A hard, clear sugarcane-based alcohol, it is one of Pelileo's main products outside of blue jeans.
The main market days in Pelileo are Saturday and Tuesday.