Contents

1 Etymology
2 History
3 Economy
4 Geography
5 Biography

Baos de Agua Santa



Baos de Agua Santa, commonly referred to as Baos, is a city in eastern
Tungurahua Province, in central Ecuador. Baos is the second most populous
city in Tungurahua, after Ambato, the capital, and is a major tourist center. It is
known as the "Gateway to the Amazon", as it is located on the Pastaza River in
the Amazon River basin, and has a newly paved road to Puyo.
Baos

Baos from the east.

Flag

Seal
Nickname(s): Baos de Agua Santa

Baos
Coordinates: 12347S 782529WCoordinates:
12347S 782529W
Country Ecuador
Province Tungurahua
Canton Baos
Government
Mayor Fausto Acosta (PSP)





Etymology
Baos (Sp. baths), is named after the hydrothermal springs of mineral water
located around the city.



Thermal baths in Baos

History
The city is also a Roman Catholic religious center, as some Catholic believers
say that the Virgin Mary appeared nearby a waterfall. So a sculpture of the
virgin, called Virgen de Agua Santa, was placed in the cathedral. The history of
the town is intimately linked with the highly active Tungurahua volcano. In
October 1999, all 17000 + residents were forced to evacuate the city for weeks.
Elevation 1,815 m (5,955 ft.)
Population (2004)
Total 9,501
Time zone EST (UTC-5)
Summer (DST) EDT (UTC-4)

Court of La Iglesia de la Virgen de Agua Santa in Baos, Ecuador

Economy
Baos is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Ecuador due to its
amazing natural beauty (it is home to more than 60 waterfalls) and its plethora
of available adventure sports. Locals and visitors alike
enjoying rafting, kayaking, canyoning, bridge jumping, hiking, biking and
horseback riding.
Baos is also known for its production of taffy (Spanish: melcocha [melkota])
made from cane sugar, and for small shops that sell the town's famous wooden
parrots.


Geography

Baos is located on the northern foothills of the Tungurahua volcano.
Along with Pillaro, Baos is known as a good starting point for exploring the
remote Llanganates National Park and its attractions including Cerro Hermoso.
The city itself boasts a beautiful main central park across from the cathedral.
Nearby waterfalls include Virgen de Agua Santa, Ins Mara, Agoyn, El Manto
de la Novia, Pailn del Diablo and Machay.


Waterfall in Baos.

Biography

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ba%C3%B1os_de_Agua_Santa