Population:
506,000 [Cuenca:
194,900]
[Urban:
218,600 /
Rural:
287,500]
Size:
8,369 km2
[Location:
To NORTH:
Canar; SOUTH:
Loja and El
Oro; EAST:
Morona and
Zamora; WEST:
Guayas and
El Oro]
Economy|learn
more|›|
Natural Resources:
Mining
Industries:
Textiles,
rubber, leather,
jewellery
Commerce:
Foodstuffs,
drinks, ceramics,
furniture
Tourism|learn
more|›|
Most
important
regions within
Azuay:
Gualaceo
Only
35km from
Cuenca, Gualaceo
is located
on a road
that was seriously
affected by
the damp from
the River
Paute. On
the banks
of the river
Gualaceo there
are yearly
fiestas. The
area is a
well-known
centre for
handicrafts,
in particular
wool and cotton,
cabinetwork,
shoe-making
and jam production.
Famous
for its gold
and silver
artwork, Chordeleg
is a small
village within
Gualaceo.
In the main
street you'll
find the main
workshops
who make jewellery
for the country's
main jewellers.
Paute
Paute
has always
been a very
laborious
region. It's
dedicated
to the cultivation
of its fertile
countryside
and the predominant
sugar cane
crop. Every
year the anniversary
of Paute's
official designation
as a region
is celebrated
with a country
fair, showcasing
local products.
Most of Paute's
population
live at the
entrance to
the hydroelectric
station. The
area was seriously
affected by
the landslide
in Tahual
which caused
the River
Paute to flood
in 1993.
Sig
Sig
Sigsig is
the Eastern
region of
the Azuay
province and
the closest
to Cuenca.
It's famous
for its straw-hat
industry and
for the gold-panning
activity in
its rivers.
Giron
Giron valley
is a small
village of
historical
importance.
In 1829 it
witnessed
the battle
against the
Peruvian invasion.
At this time
the region
was still
part of the
'Gran Colombia'.
In the city
you can visit
the house
where the
treaty was
signed to
officially
end the war
with Peru. One
of the main
crops grown
in Giron is
'achira',
used for floral
decorations
and whose
production
is becoming
more and more
industrialised.
Santa
Isabel
Situated
in the Southeast
of the province,
this region
is one of
the most fertile.
It produces
subtropical
fruits such
as banana,
mango, papaya
and granadilla.
In Yunguilla
sugar cane
and tomatoes
are also produced.
Last
updated 6th
July 2006
