Natural
Resources
Cotopaxi
is a province
abundant in
natural resources.
Due to its
varied climate,
there is a
diverse range
of products;
soils are
fertile and
rich in minerals
and other
materials.
Forests are
teeming with
wildlife and
its national
park, founded
in 1975, preserves
the zones
ecosystems
where hundreds
of hectares
of pine trees
grow. The
molle
tree
is the symbol
of the province
and there
is also a
variety of
cypress trees,
walnut trees,
alisos
and
arrayanes.
In the
subtropical
zone rubber,
oak, tagua
, laurel,
guayacan
trees
are exploited.
Mines
The
province is
rich in minerals,
the majority
of which have
been exploited.
Until 1983
there were
no registered
mines in the
area, but
after this
the Ecuadorian
Institute
of Mining
has registered
several deposits
containing
precious metals,
other metals,
deposits of
non-metallic
materials
and numerous
quarries.
Saltpetre,
limestone,
clay, coal
and pumice
stone deposits
also exist
in the area.
The latter
is in abundance
and therefore
is not controlled.
Fishing
and natural
spring water
fountains
The rivers
and lakes
in the subtropical
zones such
as Pangua,
Moraspungo,
Pucayacu,
La Mana and
Salcedo constitute
a valuable
natural resource
for commercial
and competitive
fishing. The
province has
an abundance
of natural
springs, for
instance such
as that in
the hacienda
La Cienega
, whose waters
have healing
properties.
On the banks
of the River
Pumacunchi
in Latacunga
you can find
the natural
springs of
San Felipe
y La Imperial.
Agriculture
and Cattle
Farming
Cotopaxi
is a typical
Andean province
where smallholdings
are important
in agriculture.
Milk farming
in particular
takes place
in the haciendas
situated towards
the north
of the province:
San Agustin,
La Avelina
, San Sebastian
, Pilacoto,
San Mateo
and San Pedro.
Cattle breeding
in the province
of Cotopaxi
is probably
the most important
in the country
due to the
fertile pastures
and efficiency
of production.
With regards
to agriculture,
potatoes are
the most important
produce particularly
on the south-eastern
paramos
, Cusubamba
and in Salcedo.
Yuca, onions,
avocados,
barley, oranges,
corn, broad
beans, beans
and sugar
cane are also
cultivated
in the area.
Industry
The
main industries
in the area
are the following:
foodstuffs,
beverages,
tobacco, metal
and machinery
manufacturers,
furniture
and wood production.
The majority
of these industries
are located
in the north
next to the
Panamerican
highway for
ease of transportation.
La Avelina
and Indulac
are important
dairy production
plants. Ecuatubex,
Necchi, Bujias
NGK and Orbea
are the most
important
metal manufacturers
in the area.
Artisan
Goods
There are
many classes
of artisan
manufacturers
in Cotopaxi
. The most
prominent
are shoemakers,
dressmakers,
carpenters,
potters and
weavers. Artisan
businesses
are generally
family-based.
In the outskirts
of Guaytacama
artisans dedicate
themselves
to the art
of manufacturing
cups. The
artisan goods
produced here
are exhibited
in the province’s
markets and
trade fairs.
Last
Updated 8th
August 2006
(DLW)
