Geography
The
province of
Tungarahua
is situated
in the centre
of the Interandean
region. The
terrain has
an irregular
topography.
The landscape
consists of
volcanoes,
mountains,
plains and
valleys, where
the principle
economic activity
is agricultural
production
and cattle
farming. The
province belongs
to the eastern
hoya of
the River
Patate also
known as the
Latacunga-Ambato
hoya.
Towards
the west is
the western
Andean cordillera
with
peaks Sagotoa,
Quispicacha.
Casaguala
y Quiotoa;
towards the
east
is the central
cordillera
and to
the south
volcano Carihuairazo.
Between
the cordillera
and the
rivers are
the fertile
terrains and
beautiful
valleys of
the province.
The most important
being Banos,
Leito and
Triunfo.
Mountains
The
main elevations
are: Casaguala
( 4545 metres
) and Quispicacha
( 4530 metres
) and Sagotoa
( 4153 metres
) along the
western slopes
of the cordillera
; Cerro
Hermoso (
4576 metres
) along the
central cordillera
; volcano
Tungarahua
( 5087 metres
) which has
recently shown
high levels
of activity,
erupting in
July and August
2006. Tungurahua
can be climbed
from Banos,
although expeditions
have been
put on hold
and the surrounding
areas evacuated
due to the
recent eruptions.
Opposite Tungurahua
lies Mulmud
( 3877 metres
), on whose
slopes the
parish of
Bolivar is
situated;
Igualata (
4482 metres
) and on the
paramos of
Yanayacu,
Olalla and
Sanancajas,
volcano Carihuairazo
( 5106 metres
), whose name
signifies
‘male wind’.
Rivers
From
the north
of the province
run rivers
Cutuchi,
Huapante,
Talatag, Quilopaccha,
Pucachuyco
and Golpe.
From the south
west Ambato,
Tambalo, Chiquicagua,
Alajua and
Panchalica.
River Chambo
flows from
the south
east, joining
River Patate
to form River
Pastaza which
runs into
the Amazon’s
interior.
From the province
of Cotopaxi
runs the river
Cutuchi whose
current increases
on joining
with River
Ambato and
Panchalica
to form the
river Patate.
Towards the
east are rivers
Verde, Blanco,
Machai, Mapoto
and Topo.
Lakes
According
to geographer
Francisco
Teran: “The
province of
Tungurahua
has many lakes
whose geographical
positions
and characteristics
are somewhat
curious. The
most well-known
is Pisayambo
whose waters
are used to
generate electricity
serving the
north and
central sierra.
Lakes Tambo,
Patojapina,
Rodo-Cocha
and Yanococha
de San Antonio
are located
further towards
the interior
of the province.
Other lakes
include: Aucacocha,
El Cable,
Chaloacocha,
Uspasacha
and Salayambo.
In the canton
of Ambato
Cunuc-Yacu,
Aguajan, Pishilata
and Quillan
are natural
sources of
thermal springs.
Demography
Although
the majority
of the population
still live
in rural areas,
migration
to the urban
areas is quickly
increasing,
especially
in the principle
cantons of
Banos, Perlileo,
Patate and
Pillaro. Ambato
is now one
of the principle
towns of the
Ecuadorian
sierra.
Figures
of immigration
and emigration
are negative,
which is a
characteristic
of all provinces
of the Ecuadorian
sierra and
coastal areas,
with the exception
of Guayas,
Pichincha
and El Oro.
The
urban growth
rate stands
at 3.19 per
cent whilst
the rural
growth rate
is lower at
1.95 per cent.
A rise in
the birthrate
and migration
to urban areas
can account
for a higher
urban growth
rate.
Climate
The
climate is
predominantly
dry and template,
which is influenced
by the winds
coming from
the canton
of Pastaza,
affecting
the overall
climate of
the region.
In some areas
the climate
is much more
sierra like,
with lower
average temperatures
and rainfall.
Tungurahua
has a series
of micro-climates:
small zones
with their
own characteristic
weather conditions.
The average
temperature
is around
14 degrees
centigrade,
humidity is
low and rainfall
averages between
4.70mm and
10mm. Fruits
are cultivated
in September,
October and
November,
taking advantage
of the rains.
Last
Updated 18th
August 2006
(DLW)
