Gualaceo, nicknamed “El Jardin del Azuay”, is a city in the Azuay Province of Ecuador and the capital of the eponymous Gualaceo Canton. It is located 35 km east from the city of Cuenca and is one of the biggest cities in Azuay.

Azuay, Province of Azuay is a province of Ecuador, created on 25 June 1824. It encompasses an area of 8,171 square kilometres (3,155 sq mi). Its capital is Cuenca. It is located in the south center of Ecuador in the highlands. Its mountains reach 4,500 m (14,800 ft) above sea level in the national park of El Cajas.