Geography
Azuay
is one of the
most important
regions in Ecuador.
Known as the
Azuay region
and governed
by Cuenca, the
area once incorporated
Canar before
it became big
enough to be
a province in
its own right.
Before
the River Paute
flooded in 1993,
the Paute valley
was extremely
fertile, producing
a wide variety
of fruit. Azuay
has no snow-capped
mountains or
high peaks.
Only in the
Northern part
of the Province
does the landscape
become more
impressive in
terms of relief,
especially in
the region of
Cajas. This
national park
contains 28,000
hectares of
paramo surrounded
by 300 lagoons
and inhabited
by species such
as hummingbirds
and condors.
Hydrography
The
rivers of the
Cuenca basin
converge towards
the Oriente
and are all
tributaries
of the Amazon.
The main fluvial
artery of the
province is
the River Paute,
formed from
the Gualaceo
and Cuenca Rivers.
The River Tomebamba
that waters
Cuenca city
has its origin
in Cajas, 4000
metres high.
The Yanuncay
River also passes
through Cuenca.
In the South,
the River Tarqui
joins the River
Cuenca and together
with the Machangara
flows towards
the Oriente.
The
Rivers Sigsig,
Palmar, Shio
and San Francisco
come from the
central cordillera.
They flow into
the River Gualaceo.
The river Paute
flows into the
Amazon, later
joining the
River Santiago.
The hydraulic
station built
on the River
Paute serves
the whole country.
Demography
The
Azuay province
is characterised
by its strong
migratory movements
from the countryside
to the city.
If current population
growth rates
continue, the
population of
the urban zone
will have doubled
in 15 years.
Azuay
has one of the
highest birth
rates in the
country (34
per 1000) and
a growth rate
of 3.8%.
The
promotion of
education and
working women
in addition
to the stability
of employment
are central
aspects to the
locally stable
political situation.
Last
updated 5th
July 2006
