Geography
The
province of
Carchi is
located in
the northern
border with
Colombia ,
bordering
the southern
Colombian
department
of Narino.
The province
is hilly and
it’s estimated
that only
8 per cent
of the zone
is flat. The
most important
elevations
are Volcano
Chiles ( 4270
metres ),
el Pelado
( 4149 metres
.), Chiltazan
( 3967 metres
.), Mirador
( 3831 metres
.) and Cerro
Negro ( 3674
metres .).
Although the
upper part
of the province
is mild with
a cold-humid
climate, there
is also a
hot desert-like
zone towards
the south,
in the valley
of Rio Chota
.
Hydrography
The
province is
surrounded
by rivers,
the most important
being Carchi,
San Juan and
Chota. The
latter, also
known as Mira,
runs northbound
with River
Mayaquer which
originates
by Volcano
Chiles. River
Jativa also
begins here,
which joins
with River
Carchi meeting
in el Pun
running the
route of the
eastern slopes
of the Andean
chain up to
the Quebrada
Espejo (Espejo
ravine) in
the south,
where the
River Chota
forms.
Demography
During
the last 40
years, the
provincial
population
has almost
doubled, the
urban population
has almost
tripled and
the rural
population
has increased
by 50 per
cent. The
process of
urbanisation
has been growing:
41 per cent
of the population
resides in
the towns
and cities,
in 1950 only
27 per cent
lived in the
urban areas.
As a result
of these increases,
there is growing
pressure on
natural resources
and water,
electricity
and sewage
systems.
Climate
The
province,
which is the
furthest north
along the
Andean chain,
has a mildly
humid climate.
In some areas,
such as the
paramos, the
climate is
a lot cooler
(averaging
less than
10 degrees
centigrade).
Last Updated
4th August
2006 (DLW)
