Geography
The
province of
Imbabura is
located in
the central
western basin
of Chota between
Boliche towards
the north
and Mojanda-Cajas
towards the
south.
The province
exhibits beautiful
rolling hills
and fertile
valleys such
as Ibarra,
Otavalo, Atuntaqui
y Cotacachi.
Chota
can be found
located at
an altitude
of 1,535 metres
and Juncal
at 1,646 metres.
Ibarra is
situated on
a wide plain
at an altitude
of 2,228 metres.
The most important
foothills
of the province
along the
cordillera
are Lanchas,
Cayapas, Toisan
and Intag
and the mountains
of Quisoya.
The central
cordillera
is called
Pimampiro
y de Cofanes.
Rivers
There
are several
rivers running
through the
province.
From east
to northeast
runs the River
Chota, whose
origin is
called Chamachan,
the current
increases
as it is replenished
by other rivers
descending
from Huaca
and others
with lighter
currents to
form the Ambi,
which joins
Chota near
the village
of Mira.
The River
Ambi runs
into the pacific
ocean.
Towards
the northeast,
in the Transandean
region, runs
the River
Lita.
Towards the
east flow
rivers Due
and Condue
which join
up in Aguarico,
a tributary
in Napo.
Last Updated
10th August
2006 (DLW)
Lakes
San Pablo (Imbacocha)
This
lake occupies
an extensive
area on the
outskirts
of the hills
and the elevations
of Cusin and
Mojanda. The
lake is situated
at an altitude
of 2,600 metres
, at three
kilometres
from the town
of Otavalo
. This is
the province’s
largest lake.
It measures
some 3,950
metres east
to west and
2,650 metres
north to south
and reaches
depths of
up to 48 metres
in the centre.
The water’s
temperature
is an average
of 8 degrees
centigrade.
San Pablo
is a beautiful
lake which
attracts visitors
from all over.
Cuicocha (lago de los cuyes)
This lake is
situated in
the southern
part of the
Cotacachi hill
at an altitude
of 3,068 metres
. The lake occupies
the interior
of an old crater.
There are two
small islands
in the middle
of the lake,
which is replenished
by the water
flowing from
the peaks of
Cotacachi. Lake
Cuicocha measures
2,300 metres
wide and 3,200
metres in length.
The Panamerican
highway towards
the north leads
to the lake
by taking an
asphalted side
road extending
18 km which
crosses the
town of Cotacachi
, a town celebrated
for its leather
goods.
Yaguarcocha (lago de sangre)
Situated only
three km away,
this is the
closest lake
to Ibarra, near
to the Panamerican
highway. The
lake measures
1,700 metres
in long and
an equal distance
in width, although
it used to be
much bigger
covering the
entire sector
of Tahuando
in the colonial
era.
Lagunas
de Mojanda
(Mojanda Lagoons)
There
are three main
lagoons: Caricocha
also known as
Laguna Grande
( Grand Lake
), Huarmi-cocha
or Laguna Negra
( Black Lake
) and Chiriyacu
or Laguna Chiquita
( Baby Lake
). The three
lagoons are
linked by paramo
paths
and sheltered
by two mountains,
the Fuya-Fuya
towards the
west and Yanahurco
towards the
east of Lake
Caricocha ,
which is the
biggest of the
three.
Mountains
Mount
Imbabura
Mount
Imbabura reaches
an altitude
of 4,630 metres
situated almost
in the centre
of the Chota
basin. It
is not snow-covered
but its cone
dominated
the region.
Mount Imbabura
is of volcanic
origin and
has been studied
widely by
geologists
who have concluded
that there
are eruptive
cones in at
its summit
(Asaya, Cubilche
and Cunru).
Mount Cotacachi
This is the
province’s only
snow-capped
mountain. It
reaches an altitude
of 4,937 metres
and belongs
to the Ecuadorian
volcanic group.
On its southern
slopes is the
Cuicocha crater,
which filled
with water,
hence creating
the lake of
the same name.
Mount
Cusin-Urco
Also known as
San Pablo-Urco
this mountain
is situated
on the province’s
border, surrounded
by three volcanoes:
El Mojanda,
el Imbabura
and el Cayambe,
all of which
are larger.
The main feature
of this volcano
is its eruptive
cone, Muyurco
( 3.226 metres
) which elevates
towards the
south west and
is principally
formed of lava.
Demography
The
urban population
has been increasing
at a rate
of around
3.6 per cent.
This rapid
increase is
not, however,
taking place
at the same
rate of economic
development
or improvement
in living
standards.
With regards
to the rural
sector, many
inhabitants
have abandoned
the region
due to poor
economic conditions
and employment
opportunities.
A current problem
is the lack
of housing available.
The average
number of people
inhabiting a
room stands
at between three
and five. Urban
growth is mainly
concentrated
in the town
of Ibarra .
The majority
of the population
consists of
indigenous working
in the manufacturing
of artisan goods
or agriculture.
Climate
The
temperature
varies according
to the regions
of the province,
but averages
between 13°C
and 18°C all
year round.
The valley
of Chota is
the hottest
sector, with
the town of
Ibarra the
second warmest.
The coldest
areas are
Otavalo and
Cotacachi.
Last
Updated 10th
August 2006
(DLW)
