Geography

The province of Pichincha is located in the central region of the sierra, towards the north of the territory.  Pichincha crosses the Equator and is situated between the two cordilleras of the Andes.  Huge volcano Pichincha is also nearby. 

La hoya del Guayllabamba

The province is located in the hoya of River Guayllabamba which advances towards the Pacific.  The hoya is surrounded by an important volcanic belt including Cotopaxi, Antisana, Sincholagua and Cayambe along the eastern cordillera.  Along the western cordillera are volcanoes Iliniza, Atacazo, Pichincha and Pululagua which are now extinct.  Volcano Guagua-Pichincha is still active.  Towards the south east of Cayambe is Saraurco which doesn't appear to have any volcanic characteristics.   Towards the south the province is surrounded by extinct volcanoes Ruminahui and Pasochoa, towards the north Fuya-Fuya and Colongal.  In the centre of the hoya there is a volcanic rock known as Ilalo; the sources of thermal springs on its slopes are used to supply the public baths of El Tingo, Alangasi and Cununyacu.

|^|to top|

Mountains

Pichincha

Pichincha is historically famous for the battle that took place on its slopes consequently sealing the country's independence in 1822.  Juan Leon Mera even wrote the famous peak into the national anthem.  Pichincha is a volcanic peak, which accommodates the city of Quito at the bottom of its eastern slopes.  There are two parts to the mountain Rucu-Pichincha (4698 metres) and Guagua-Pichincha (4784 metres), the first is the oldest.  Its possible to climb Pichincha, but is recommended only for more experienced climbers accompanied by a guide.  The first elevation (Cruz-Loma) provides the visitor with a beautiful panoramic view of the city of Quito, between the TV antennas and the end of the vehicle route.  From there it's possible to climb Rucu-Pichincha.  Guagua-Pichincha's crater can be arrived at via the Lloa sector. 

Illiniza

Situated towards the west of Tiopullo, Iliniza has two pyramid-shaped peaks which can be climbed.  The southern peak extends 5266 metres.  According to Manuel Villavicencio the two peaks are remains of a destroyed volcano.  The mountain's peaks were measured by French academic Bouguer. 

Antisana

Antisana has an altitude of some 5075 metres.  There are also two summits.  On the volcanos slopes, there are four extinct craters.  Antisana extends to the southern regions and is also the origin of the rivers which flow towards Napo.  There are many spots suitable for fishing, hunting and trekking.  Lake Mica is especially apt for fishing, which is located in a private hacienda. 

Cayambe

With an altitude of 5790 metres, Cayambe measures a little less than Chimborazo.  German academic Humboldt wrote: "This mountain is one of the most beautiful and highest in the world.  It can be considered one of nature's eternal terrestrial monuments". 

|^|to top|

Valleys and Upper Plains

There are various valleys in the province such as Cayambe, Guayllabamba, Puellaro, Puembo, the upper plains of Malchingui and Tabacundo towards the north and Turubamba y Chillogallo towards the south west. 

|^|to top|

The Northwest

Peaks descend from the western cordillera towards the coast.  Within the province of Pichincha these elevations are the mountains of Nanegal, Mindo, Saloya, and Tandapi and towards the south the cordillera of Chugchilan.  With the foundation of Puerto Quito in 1974 the north western zones were intergrated into the province.  River Caoni is a place of tourist interest, and in Puerto Quito there is also a public river where residents and tourists bathe and swim.  The great aspiration in the zone at present is the completion of the Calacali-Los Bancos-Puerto Quito asphalted highway.  When this is finished it will only take around two hours to arrive here from the capital.  Puerto Quito is rich in cocoa production, rice and coffee and has fertile terrains suitable for cattle farming.  The north western sector closest to Quito, Nono, has been given over to ecotourism (botanic gardens, zoos and archaeology).  Hosteria San Jorge, located along the route to Nono (towards the west), specialises in guided tours for its guests. 

|^|to top|

Rivers

Guayllabamba

This river is basically the axis of the hydrographical system in the area: its main tributaries are Pedro, Pita and Pisque.  The river crosses the western cordillera advancing towards the coast depositing its waters in the River Esmeraldas.   

San Pedro

San Pedro crosses the Valley of Machachi, arriving at the Valley de los Chillos where it is met with several small tributaries and being replenished with the waters of River Capelo just before reaching Conocoto.  It's main tributary is River Pita which originates towards the south east from the thaws of Cotopaxi. 

Pisque

This is Guayllabamba's main tributary.  Originating in the north east of the hoya, the river advances towards the west and is replenished by rivers Granobles and Guachala.

Blanco

River Blanco is met with several tributaries Mindo, Nambilla, Saloya and Cinto. 

|^|to top|

Demography

Quito and Guayaquil are the two main urban population centres of the country.  In 1950 Quito's population stood at 226,000 inhabitants, by 1952 it had grown to 859,000.  With regards to the migration phenomenon, Pichincha has a positive rate of migration as is true of Guayas, El Oro and the eastern provinces. 

As far as employment is concerned, the service sector is the leading industry with over 300 thousand workers.  The manufacturing sector is second and thirdly the agricultural sector employs around 80 thousand people.  The rate of those employed in casual work is also relatively high.  The majority of the province's population consists of youth between the ages of 15 and 29.  The rate of population growth in the province is among the highest in the country. 

Climate

Pichincha has a variety of climates.  From intense coldness on the Andean paramos (between 4 and 8 degrees centigrade) to the subtropical zones on the flanks of the western cordillera such as Santo Domingo de Los Colorados, for example, which has average temperatures of 20 to 22 degrees centigrade.  In the upper plains and valleys the temperature ranges from 12 to 15 degrees centigrade, sometimes with high humidity levels. 

In general, the rainy season lasts from November to May.  There are no seasons. 

Last Updated 16th August 2006 (DLW)

|^|to top|