Sangolqui (Spanish Sangolquí) is a city in Ecuador, the administrative center of the Rumiñavi canton of the Pichincha province.

Geography
The city is located in the Chillos Valley (Valle de Los Chillos), which is an integral part of the plain of the Guaillabamba River, extending to the north. To the south of Sangolka is the extinct volcano Pasochoa (4200 m above sea level), and to the north is the inactive ancient volcano Ilalo (2572 m). The average height of the city center is 2500 m. Sangolki adjoins the southeast of Quito – the distance between cities is about 10 km. Sangolki is considered a suburb of the capital, but is not included in the territory of the Capital District.

Sangolki is home to the vast majority of the population of Rumiñavi canton, with 75,080 inhabitants out of a total of 85,852 inhabitants (as of 2010). The rest of the population of the canton, including the territories under the jurisdiction of the municipality of Sangolki (6060 inhabitants), lives in rural areas.

History
According to archaeologists, the first inhabitants settled near the extinct volcano Ilalo in the Chillos valley more than 11 thousand years BC. e. The masters of ancient Quito, the kitu, moved to the area of ​​modern Sangolki around the 14th century because of the favorable climate and fertile soil. Around 1460, these lands began to be settled by Inca communities known as mitmacunas – from the word “mitma” – a phenomenon denoting a policy of forced relocation, which was carried out by the leaders of the Incas in order to consolidate territorial expansion. The indigenous people divided this region into Anan Chilyo (Upper Chilyo), now a suburb of Quito Konokoto, and Urin Chilyo, i.e. Lower Chilyo, modern Sangolki.
In 1534, Rumiñavi became the leader of the territory, after his death a year later, Kimbalembo became the leader, and Juan Sangolqui became his successor. In 1580, missionaries from the Jesuit orders appeared here, they acquired land in the Chillo valley. Many farms founded in that period have survived to this day. The main village of Urin Chillo gradually grew into the town of San Juan Bautista de Sangolqui. This name was given in honor of John the Baptist.

On May 24, 1822, during the war of independence, the Battle of Pichincha took place near Sangolka, as a result of which the troops led by Antonio Sucre defeated the Spanish crown, which led to independence of the Royal Audience of Quito, which later became the Republic of Ecuador.

Education
The main educational institutions of Sangolka:
Army Polytechnic School, also known as the University of the Armed Forces of Ecuador (Escuela Politécnica del Ejército; Universidad de las Fuerzas Armadas).
Valley College Lyceum (Colegio Liceo del Valle).
Antores College
Maritime Lyceum of Quito
Émile Jacques-Dalcroze High School

Sights
Sangolki is surrounded by a mountainous area with lush vegetation and picturesque natural scenery. Along the Pita River there is a cascade of 18 waterfalls that attract tourists.
Urban architecture is represented by examples of colonial buildings. Also in the city there is a fairly large number of objects associated with the work of the famous Ecuadorian artist, muralist and sculptor Oswaldo Guayasamin.
The most famous landmark of the city is the Church of the Mother of Sangolka, built in 1926.

Sport
In Sangolki, the Independiente del Valle football club is based, playing at the Rumiñavi stadium (capacity – 7.5 thousand spectators). The team has been playing in Serie A of the Ecuadorian championship since 2010. In 2013, Independiente del Valle finished second in the championship, and the team also finished third twice. In 2016, Independiente del Valle reached the final of South America’s main club tournament, the Copa Libertadores.