With
an
ecosystem
fundamentally
characteristic
of
that
of
the
paramo,
this
National
Park
houses
a
total
of
232
clearly-defined
lakes,
which
span
the
Park’s
extensive
valleys.
Among
the
most
important
are
Lakes
Lagartococha,
Osohuayca,
Mamamag
or
Taitachungo,
Quinoascocha,
La
Toreadora
,
Sunincocha,
Cascarillas,
Ventanas
and
Tinguishcocha.
The
sheer
quantity
of
lakes
and
their
consequent
drainage
process
ensures
the
preservation
of
the
small
rivers
and
streams
that
flow
in
the
area.
For
instance,
rivers
such
as
Mazan,
Yanuncay
and
Miguir
begin
in
Cajas
and
go
on
to
supply
the
city
of
Cuenca
with
water.
These
rivers
are
also
the
principal
contributors
to
the
Paute
Hydroelectric
Complex,
which
generates
energy
supplying
almost
the
entire
country
with
electricity.
The
Cajas
National
Park
is
situated
along
the
western
mountain
range
of
the
Andes
to
the
west
of
Cuenca.
The
Park
constitutes
a
number
of
elevations,
which
act
like
a
network
of
interconnected
‘boxes’
or
‘cajas’
–
hence
the
name-
each
one
serving
to
protect
the
ecosystem
within
it.
It’s
difficult
to
speak
of
a
typical
climate
for
this
area,
although
it
is
frequently
icy,
permanently
drizzly
and
misty.
Last
Updated
13th
July
2006
