Tarqui, Cuenca Canton

Coordinates: 3°00′49″S 79°02′04″W; Official Language: Spanish; Entity: Parish of Ecuador; Province: Azuay; Canton: Cuenca; President of the Parish Government: Galo Zhagüi; Subdivisions: 26 communities; Foundation and Parishization: October 18, 1915 (108 years old); Area: 135 km²; Average Altitude: 2628 m above. n. m.; Climate: Average annual temperatures of 12 °C to 20 °C; Watercourse: Tarqui River; Population (2010): 12,490 inhabitants, Density: 92.52 inhabitants/km²; Time Zone: ECT (UTC-5); Postal Code EC010168.

The parish of Tarqui has a long history, dating back to the time of integration with the Cañari culture until the Republic, and later becoming a civil and ecclesiastical parish. Regarding ancient settlements, the Tarqui areas were occupied by the Great Cañarí Confederation, since there are ceramic remains that prove it. Later, its history also highlights the fact of the invasion of the Incas, who made their settlements in this sector, resulting in an important step to the Inca Trail. Furthermore, during the colonial era, the Spaniards and indigenous people who populated the city of Cuenca dedicated themselves to agriculture and livestock, so they chose to settle in more open places, but close to the city, so little by little They briefly occupied the territory known as Tarqui, previously under the name of Tarqui Valley.

The word Tarqui comes from a pre-Columbian word which has several meanings. According to Oswaldo Encalada's linguistic study, it is of Kichwa origin which means "step." It also states that its population belonged to the great Cañari confederation, which could be confirmed by the archaeological remains within the territory.

Likewise, according to historical archives that rest in the parish, the name of this town has its origin in a wind musical instrument called Tarquies in Cañari voice. According to documents by the Cuenca writer Octavio Cordero Palacios, the instrument was played by the Inca Atahualpa in a confrontation with the Spanish, at the time of the Conquest. On the other hand, Tarqui has contributed two significant events to the history of Ecuador, one of which was the work of the French Geodetic Mission, which arrived to verify the roundness of the earth, taking the Tarqui area as an important point for the work. Another important event was the Battle of Tarqui, where the place served as a means to stop the Peruvian military forces and their attempt to invade the city.

However, it was not until 1915 with the Agrarian Reform that the indigenous people requested the recognition of Tarqui as a parish, an act that was accepted by the Municipal Council of Cuenca based on the Territorial Division Law and the Municipal Regime Law of that time. Thus, on August 6, 1915, the inhabitants asked the council to civilly consider this place as a parish, and on October 18, in the session of the Cuencano Cabildo governed by Dr. Octavio Cordero Palacios, by decree No. 887 creates the new Parish of Tarqui. Thus leaving for granted the birth of the same with a territorial extension of 135 km², divided into 26 communities.

Currently, the parish of Tarqui is a place that has been modernized over time, it has basic services, works and infrastructure, in addition to having great natural beauty which makes peace and tranquility characteristic of this area.

Tarqui is a rural parish located southwest of the Cuenca canton and has 26 communities; It is crossed by a main road called Cuenca-Girón-Pasaje, which serves as an interconnection with the city of Cuenca, the communities and from there to its parish seat and also with the rest of the southern cantons. At the same time, it has an area of 135 km² or 15,098.61 hectares. The Parish of Tarqui is limited with other parishes in the Cuenca Canton in the following way.

• To the north: Baños, Turi and El Valle Parishes.
• To the south: Victoria del Portete and Cumbe parishes.
• To the east: Quingeo and Santa Ana parishes.
• To the west: Baños and Victoria del Portete parishes.

The Tarqui parish has a total population of 10,490 inhabitants according to the last census carried out in 2010, of which are distributed among the 26 communities that reside there. Tarqui has a population of 10,490 inhabitants, of which 4,833 (44%) are men and 5,657 (46%) women. Thus, the majority of the population is made up of women, this phenomenon is due to the fact that the male population has migrated abroad; Proof of this are the large buildings that are presented in the parish center, many of these were built with remittances sent from abroad.

In addition to this, the population of Tarqui is made up mostly of a young population with a base age between 15 and 35 years of age, they constitute the economically active population of the parish of age to produce and contribute to its development. Thus, the economically active population that migrates are mostly men between 15 and 35 years old; they constitute an important source of income at both the parish, cantonal and national levels. Female migration is also strong in this parish, they are also sources of income for it.

On the other hand, the inhabitants of the Tarqui Parish are distributed in the 26 communities as follows.

Due to its geographical location, the economy of the Tarqui Parish is based on agricultural activities. Being an area with abundant resources in productive lands, grasslands, and large plains. Its main activity is agriculture, followed by livestock, mining, industry and manufacturing.

In Tarqui, 5 predominant crops have been identified. In first place is corn because it is a traditional crop and food, with an annual production cycle. Followed by beans, which are generally planted in association with corn and broad beans. In fourth and fifth place are peas, potatoes and cabbages. In some communities, products such as vegetables, barley, apples and geese are among the third, fourth and fifth places. The small surpluses are destined for sale, which represent 5% and 95% are used for self-consumption and seeds for future planting.

The main species that are raised in the parish of Tarqui are cattle, pigs, sheep, guinea pigs, birds and others, among which cattle breeding stands out, as it is an alternative that generates income from the sale of both its derived as from the same animal. The main livestock is cattle for the production of meat and milk, followed by pigs, their meat is used in the preparation of typical dishes. In third place in preference are guinea pigs, in fourth place are sheep and finally birds raised in small quantities, either in sheds or outdoors.

The livestock of small producers is developed with a low level of technology in the production processes. The situation is different with the owners of large farms who have implemented new technology in the cultivation of pastures and in the maintenance of herds. Consequently, milk production is the main item within Tarqui's livestock production. The average production per cow among small producers is between 4 and 6 liters, while in medium and large farms, with some modernization, production averages between 8 and 12 liters. On large farms with the improvement of pastures, sanitary management and the implementation of machinery, you can reach up to 15 and 20 liters of milk per day.

According to the ARCOM Mining Regulation and Control Agency, in Tarqui there are 9 current concessions that are dedicated to mining in the area, which are: San Pablo II, Condor Loma de Tarqui, GPA Atucloma 18, GPA Tañiloma 27, San Pedro de Yunga, La Florida, Loma Blanca, Tarqui 1 and San Rafael.

Tarqui has various small industries and artisanal establishments, activities such as wood extraction, manufacturing of concrete articles, manufacturing of footwear, manufacturing of curtains, production of balanced food, manufacturing of dairy products, among others. Despite not having a tax registry, it is known that in the parish there are 14 pants and textile clothing factories, some craft stores and until 2015 an embroidery workshop in the community of Tañiloma.

Additionally, with the support of the Parish GAD, associative groups have been formed that are producing personal hygiene items (shampoo and soap based on medicinal plants), environmental items, pickles, grape wines, blackberry wines, horchatas and candles. The current production is on a small scale, however, the population of the parish hopes to be able to improve in aspects such as the quality of the raw materials, the incorporation of technology in the production processes and the improvement of the presentation of the final product.

Tarqui has a climate determined by the relief and other natural factors. It houses average annual temperatures of 12 °C to 20 °C. and a precipitation of 500 to 2000 millimeters, of which are distributed in the months of October to November and from February to May. Resulting in cold climates, being between 2600 and 380 m above sea level.