Salinas de Guaranda, or simply Salinas is a town in the province of Bolivar, Ecuador. Famous for its brand of cheeses called Salinerito (considered the country's premium range) as well as wool spinning and dye mills, Salinas de Guaranda is just 90 minutes by car from Guaranda. Mount Chimborazo rises above the area, reaching some 20,000 feet (6,100m), and due to the equatorial bulge, is the furthest point from the center of the Earth. The area is surrounded by interesting salt formations left over from salt mining, in addition, it is also home to a major sweets industry and has beautiful walks and fishing areas along with horse riding facilities. The entry cost into Salinas is US$2.00 and US$5.00 for the various community cooperative based projects accompanied with guides. The province of Bolivar is around 70% subtropical covered by western cloud forest while the lower section is more agricultural producing citrus and sugar cane.

Father Antonio Polo initiated the FUNORSAL foundation (Fundacion de Organizaciones de Salinas) to set up and manage cooperatives to transform raw materials to finished goods. For example, cocoa to chocolat candy, wool to yarn and textiles, meat to sausage, mushrooms to soups and packages, and milk into fancy and natural cheeses. To do this, workers are selected and trained (often in foreign countries), machinery is procured (often previously used), and extensive marketing is conducted.  Much of the production is sold in Europe and North America and the basic producers get to share in the wealth created from their work.

There is a frequent bus service to Salinas de Guaranda with Transportes Cándido Rada leaving from Plaza Roja in Guaranda. Or, take a bus from Cuatro Esquinas, located on the road to Ambato (10 km north of Guaranda). From there, take a truck to Salinas (20 km). A taxi costs around US$15. To go back to Guaranda take any bus from Salinas' main plaza (all of them go to Guaranda).

(Text adapted from: Salinas de Guaranda (2008). From Wikitravel)

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Free pictures of scenes at the Cooperatives of Salinas, Ecuador. Photos of the town are separate.

01salinascooperatives.jpg The candy factory in Salinas de Guaranda, Ecuador	02salinascooperatives.jpg The candy factory in Salinas de Guaranda, Ecuador	The YouTube collection of videos of Ecuador   Watch the latest Ecuador videos on YouTube.com
03salinascooperatives.jpg Workers in the candy factory in Salinas de Guaranda, Ecuador	04salinascooperatives.jpg The candy factory in Salinas de Guaranda, Ecuador
05salinascooperatives.jpg The ceramics factory painting area in Salinas de Guaranda, Ecuador	06salinascooperatives.jpg The fabrica de futbol (soccer ball factory) in Salinas de Guaranda, Ecuador
07salinascooperatives.jpg The fabrica de futbol (soccer ball factory) in Salinas de Guaranda, Ecuador	08salinascooperatives.jpg The fabrica de futbol (soccer ball factory) in Salinas de Guaranda, Ecuador
09salinascooperatives.jpg The dried herb/ herbal extract factory in Salinas de Guaranda, Ecuador	10salinascooperatives.jpg The dried herb/ herbal extract factory in Salinas de Guaranda, Ecuador
11salinascooperatives.jpg The dried mushroom (hongos secados) factory in Salinas de Guaranda, Ecuador	12salinascooperatives.jpg The dried mushroom (hongos secados) factory in Salinas de Guaranda, Ecuador
13salinascooperatives.jpg The dried mushroom (hongos secados) factory in Salinas de Guaranda, Ecuador	14salinascooperatives.jpg The cheese factory (fabrica de quesos) in Salinas de Guaranda, Ecuador
15salinascooperatives.jpg Bringing milk to the cheese factory (fabrica de quesos) in Salinas de Guaranda, Ecuador	16salinascooperatives.jpg Dumping milk into the cheese factory (fabrica de quesos) in Salinas de Guaranda, Ecuador
17salinascooperatives.jpg Stirring the curds and whey at the cheese factory (fabrica de quesos) in Salinas de Guaranda, Ecuador	18salinascooperatives.jpg Rounds of cheese at the cheese factory (fabrica de quesos) in Salinas de Guaranda, Ecuador
19salinascooperatives.jpg Rounds of cheese at the cheese factory (fabrica de quesos) in Salinas de Guaranda, Ecuador	20salinascooperatives.jpg Rounds of cheese at the cheese factory (fabrica de quesos) in Salinas de Guaranda, Ecuador
21salinascooperatives.jpg Drying sausage at the sausage factory in Salinas de Guaranda, Ecuador	22salinascooperatives.jpg The textile factory (hilanderia) in Salinas de Guaranda, Ecuador
23salinascooperatives.jpg Wool processing machinery at the textile factory (hilanderia) in Salinas de Guaranda, Ecuador	24salinascooperatives.jpg Century old wool processing machinery from Lowell Mass. at the textile factory (hilanderia) in Salinas de Guaranda, Ecuador
30salinascooperatives.jpg Drying machinery (secadora) at the textile factory (hilanderia) in Salinas de Guaranda, Ecuador	31salinascooperatives.jpg Wool processing machinery at the textile factory (hilanderia) in Salinas de Guaranda, Ecuador
32salinascooperatives.jpg Spooling machinery at the textile factory (hilanderia) in Salinas de Guaranda, Ecuador	33salinascooperatives.jpg Spooling machinery at the textile factory (hilanderia) in Salinas de Guaranda, Ecuador
34salinascooperatives.jpg Bleached wool at the textile factory (hilanderia) in Salinas de Guaranda, Ecuador	35salinascooperatives.jpg Dyed yarn at the textile factory (hilanderia) in Salinas de Guaranda, Ecuador
36salinascooperatives.jpg Dyed yarn at the textile factory (hilanderia) in Salinas de Guaranda, Ecuador	38salinascooperatives.jpg Workshop and salesroom for young artisans near the textile factory (hilanderia) in Salinas de Guaranda, Ecuador