Guaranda is located in the Province of Bolivar. This town of around 20,000 inhabitants is the capital of the Province. Its name was taken from the old Indian chief Guaranda who still towers over the town in statue form. Initially the town was a central crossover route between Guayaquil and Quito but since the advent of the railroad and better roads, the town today has been made redundant which has subsequently returned it to its tranquil slumbers of the past century. Surrounded by 7 patchwork greened hills the local residents have given their town the nickname "The Rome of the Andes ".