Geography
The
Napo province
shares geographical
characterstics
with the Amazon
regions, housing
a large jungle
plain covered
with vegetation.
The forests
are consist
of a huge
range of tree
species. The
original province
of Napo in
its entirety
was divided
up to create
the province
of Sucumbios
which is located
towards the
north of the
province.
The area’s
main elevations
are Volcano
Reventador
(3485 metres), which today
is situated
in the province
of Sucumbios
and Volcano
Sumaco
(3828 metres).
Rivers
The
hydrographical
system is
formed by
all rivers
flowing from
the eastern
cordillera
of the Andes, flowing
towards the
Amazon.
River
Napo
River
Napo is considered
one of the
most important
rivers in
Ecuador .
It originates
in Jatun-yacu,
being replenished
by the rivers
from the thaws
of Cotopaxi,
Quilindana
and the thaws
of Antisana. Before entering
the Amazon
region it
is also joined
by river Mulatos.
It flows north
east until
meeting river
Coca, continues
towards the
south east
and joins
with Aguarico.
The river’s
main tributaries
are: Misahualli,
Suno, Coca,
Jivino and
Aguarico.
River
Coca
The main tributary
is the river
Napo which
runs towards
the current
province of
Sucumbio. River Napo
was discovered
by Gonzalo
Pizarro shortly
before discovering
river Amazonas
on 12th February
1542. River
Coca has gained
importance
due to the
oil reserves
that were
discovered
nearby.
Demography
The
province of
Napo has the
highest population
figures of
all the Amazon
provinces.
The population
has risen
partly due
to the exploitation
of hydrocarbon
resources.
Ethnic communities
include the
Cofanes, Tetetes,
Sionas, Aguaricos,
Zaparos, Quijos,
Yumbos, Misaguallis,
Ahuanos, Payaminos,
Sunos and
Aucas [ Aushiris
]. Urban population
figures are
also on the
increase:
one in every
five inhabitants
lives in an
urban centre,
but the majority
of the population
is rural.
Climate
The
areas with
altitudes
over 500 metres
have average
temperatures
of 25 degrees
centigrade;
the rainfall
here is also
the highest
in the country,
therefore,
the climate
is extremely
humid. The
lower eastern
zone, consisting
of Amazonian
plain, has
average temperatures
of 25 degrees
centigrade,
relative humidity
and rainfall
averaging
1500mm. The
climate is
therefore
subtropical.
Last Updated
23rd August
2006 (DLW)
