San Miguel de Ibarra (the name comes from the homonymous Spanish town of Ibarra, located in the province of Guipúzcoa, Basque Country) it is the capital of Imbabura province. It is the largest and most populous city of Imbabura. It´s located at 2.215 m.a.s.l.; of dry-mediterranean temperate climate of 17 ° C on average.

Ibarra is known as The White City for its white facades which the rebuilt city was blessed in 1872 after the devastating earthquake of 1868. Also called City which you always returns due its picturesque countryside, summer climate and proximity to other important tourism and commercial centers. According census 2010, its population of 131,856 inhabitants, making it the 15th most populous city in the country.

It was founded by the Spanish captain Cristóbal de Troya, on September 28th 1606, by order of the Marquis Miguel de Ibarra y Mallea; and nowadays it is one of the main urban centers of Ecuador. Also It is one of the most important administrative, economic, financial, and commercial centers of the nation. The main activities of the city are commerce, tourism, educational services, agribusiness, and manufacturing.