The
upper
sector
covers
the
entire
western
part
of
the
Reserve
extending
as
far
as
Papallacta.
Politically
speaking,
this
part
belongs
to
the
provinces
of
Pichincha
and
Imbabura.
Within
this
zone
the
snow-capped
peaks
of
Cayambe,
Saraurco
and
Puntas
are
located,
as
well
as
paramos
and
several
lakes.
The
lower
sector,
on
the
other
hand,
is
situated
in
the
provinces
of
Napo
and
Sucumbios,
towards
the
base
of
the
eastern
mountain
ranges.
It
also
includes
Volcano
Reventador,
the
San
Rafael
waterfall
and
the
community
of
the
indigenous
Sinangue
peoples.
Several
of
the
rivers
of
the
Ecuadorian
Oriente
originate
here
as
a
result
of
thawing
ice
from
the
snow-capped
peaks
of
the
Reserve,
in
particular
Cayambe,
Saraurco
and
Antisana
.
Furthermore,
Volcano
Cayambe
and
the
adjacent
chain
of
mountains
divide
the
rivers
into
two,
some
of
which
go
on
to
form
the
Napo-Maranon-Amazonas
hydrographic
system
and
eventually
flow
into
the
Atlantic
ocean
and
others
which
flow
westwards
to
form
part
of
the
Esmeraldas
and
Mira
river
systems.
These
valuable
hydro-resources
are
exploited
through
several
hydro-electric
projects
and
also
provide
water
for
consumption
and
irrigation
purposes.
As
for
the
elevations
in
the
area,
Cayambe,
one
of
the
most
snow-covered
and
ice-capped
of
the
Ecuadorian
peaks,
is
among
the
most
prominent
in
the
Reserve.
Other
prominent
peaks
are
Sarahurco,
el
Puntas,
and
Reventador,
a
young,
active
and
constantly
smoking
volcano.
Last
Updated
17th
July
2006
