Natural
Resources
The
province’s
terrain is
rich in minerals,
the majority
of which have
not been fully
exploited.
The following
are found
in the area:
Caolin:
Along the
Azogues-Taday
route, around
8- 11 km from
Azogues.
Clay
for ceramics:
5 km away
from Azogues.
Coal:
In Biblian,
coal has been
exploited
to some extent,
although it
is considered
costly.
With
regards to
metals, Canar
is rich in
copper, zinc,
silver and
lead. Mercury
mines were
shut down
in the area
by royal decree
at the end
of the 16
th century,
allowing Virreinato
, Peru to
take on the
monopoly of
mercury extraction
and production,
to avoid the
silver and
gold deposits
from falling
into European
hands.
Agricultural
Zones
The
paramo
extends
for 1,406kms
squared representing
40 per cent
of the agricultural
land. This
zone is located
at an altitude
of between
3,000 and
4,000 metres
and is covered
in straw and
vegetation
characteristic
of the paramo
. Meadowed
land extends
for 472 km
squared and
covers 14
per cent of
the total
area. The
canton of
Azogues is
situated within
this area,
which is the
central part
of the Paute
basin. Wheat,
barley, corn,
potatoes,
peas, beans
and broad
beans are
cultivated
here. Fruits
are also grown
in the area:
apples (in
Deleg and
San Marcos
), capuli
, peaches,
pears and
naranjillas
. Vegetables
are grown
and exported
to the markets
in Guayas.
The lower
interandean
zone, which
has an uneven
topography,
has been affected
by severe
erosion due
to badly set-up
irrigation
network and
the inclination
in the terrain
which is badly
affected by
the rainfall.
Forests have
also been
rapidly disappearing,
and are almost
non-existent
in some areas.
Cedar, laurel,
palo prieto
and
Ishpingo
trees grow
in the area.
Industry
Agricultural
production
is the area’s
principal
industry.
Among the
most significant
are potato,
mushroom and
citrus fruit
cultivation
and manufacturing
of bags and
cabuya
jumpers.
The industries
established
with sugar
processors
Aztra, cement
makers Guapan
and producers
of Aguardiente.
With regards
to manufacturing,
artisan products
are among
the most important,
including
shoes, clothing
and wooden
furniture.
Aztra produces
over one million
quintales
(one
quintal =
46 kg ) per
annum. With
Aztra’s help
an alcohol
processing
plant was
opened in
the area in
1987 which
has a capacity
to produce
more than
7 and a half
million litres
of alcohol
per annum.
Artisan
Production
Knitted
articles and
ceramic goods
could be extremely
profitable
if these industries
organised
themselves
effectively.
Workers are
capable and
talented,
particular
in the area
of ceramics.
There have
been a number
of workshops
teaching the
art of pottery.
Domestic ceramic
goods are
produced in
Jatumpamba,
although procedures
are extremely
rudimentary.
The
Culebrillas
Dam (La presa
de Culebrillas)
Lake
Culebrillas
is situated
in the elevations
of Azuay measuring
1,500 metres
long and 500
metres wide
(bigger than
Lake Yaguarcocha
in Imbabura)
covering an
area of 60
hectares .
The lake is
replenished
by River Culebrillas.
There is evidence
that the Canaris
and the Incas
once inhabited
the area.
There are
ruins of an
Inca platform
and also remains
of a quarry
that was exploited
by the Incas.
At the bottom
of the lake
submerged
ruins and
an old staircase
have been
discovered.
The dam projects
consists of
providing
irrigation
to some 5000
hectares of
land benefiting
thousands
of countryside
dwellers who
live in a
region where
there is a
limited water
supply network.
This project
has generated
some controversy
due to the
fact that
it could cause
damage to
the archaeological
ruins previously
mentioned.
A convention
has been endorsed
by the National
Cultural Heritage
Institute
with the objective
of conserving
the archaeological
ruins.
Last
Updated 4th
August 2006
(DLW)
