Azuay Province - Ecuador

Azuay Province. It is located in southern Ecuador, in the Andes mountain range, in turn located in the Interandina or Sierra Region, in its southern part. To the north it borders the province of Cañar, to the south with the provinces of El Oro and Loja, to the east with the provinces of Morona Santiago and Zamora Chinchipe, and to the west with the provinces of Guayas.

The province is the result of the division of the Department of Azuay. Its capital is the city of Cuenca called the "Athens of Ecuador" with approximately 330,000 inhabitants in the urban area. In this province is the Daniel Palacios dam, on the Paute River, which in addition to the Mazar and Sopladora projects, make it the main electricity supplier to the country.

Founded on April 12, 1557, with an area of ​​7,701 km2 and a population of 506,090 inhabitants. After little more than a year of repression and after carrying out the campaign from Machala to Saraguro and from this place to Cuenca, General Antonio José de Sucre makes his triumphal entry, commanded by his troops, on February 21, 1822 When the realistic troops, whose colonel is Colonel Carlos Tolrá, come to approach the liberating forces, they leave the city, heading to Riobamba.

Finally, real independence occurred when the entire territory of the Royal Audience of Quito, now Ecuador, becomes independent on May 24, 1822 in the battle of Pichincha, a battle in which the Abdón Calderón basin despite receiving multiple injuries is not he retired from the fight, he would die days later in a hospital in Quito, said act of bravery during the battle was considered heroic by the liberator Simón Bolívar, and he was promoted in rank. Today, Abdón Calderón is considered a national hero.

Demographic conditions Azuay Province

The Province of Azuay has been characterized by having strong migratory movements from the countryside to the city. In urban areas with the current growth rate the population would double in 15 years. The global population has one of the highest birth rates in the country (34 per thousand) and a growth rate of 3.8%. The educational and labor promotion of women and the stability of men's work are focal aspects of a harmonious family policy.

Climate Province Azuay

The climate is variable due to the height, from the tropical to the glacial, due to the presence of the Andes mountain range and the subtropical vegetation to the west, the province has been climatologically fragmented in various sectors. In addition, because of its tropical location, each climatic zone has only two defined seasons: wet and dry. In the West the temperature ranges between 20 ° C and 33 ° C, while in the Andean zone, it is usually between 10 ° C and 28 ° C.

Hydrography Province of Azuay

The Paute river belonging to the Amazon basin, is the axis of its hydrographic system; from the western branches the rivers Tomebamba and Yanuncay are born, which bathe the city of Cuenca. Other important rivers are: Cuenca, Gualaceo, Tarqui, Machángara, Jadán and San Francisco.

Natural Resources Azuay Province

The fertile azuayo soil is conducive to agriculture. In its central valleys, corn, cereals, vegetables and a variety of fruits are grown; at the western end of the mountain range, tropical products such as sugar cane, cotton, coffee, among others are obtained. The livestock sector is characterized by the raising of sheep, cattle and pigs. Regarding mining, there are deposits of marble and clays. Other minerals such as gold, silver and zinc. Agribusiness is aimed at the textile, planter and ceramics sectors, mainly, more than food, craft and liquor production. It is important to note that the State has in this province the most important Hydroelectric Power Plant in the country, built on the Paute riverbed.

Orography Province Azuay

The Azorean orography, comprised of the Hoya del Paute and part of that of the Jubones, presents peaks that do not exceed 4,500 meters above sea level. The massifs that stand out in the region are: Collay and Matanga to the east. Within the Andes Mountains there are valleys such as those of Cuenca, Girón, Yunguilla, Sigsig, Gualaceo and Paute that are conducive to agriculture thanks to the good irrigation they present.

Industries Province Azuay

Textiles, rubber, leather goods, jewelry, etc. Handicrafts: Gold and silver goldsmithing, saddlery, musical instruments, turned wood furniture, wrought iron, tinsmiths, bronze sheet metal objects, stained glass, blown glass, enameled ceramics, pottery, guayacán and marble woodwork, poultry and pyrotechnic fires, woven in toquilla straw, in fiber, cabuya, wheat straw, cloth, reed, embroidery, rubber cloth, sweets.

Tourist places of Azuay

Baños of Cuenca

At eight kilometers, southwest of the center of Cuenca, is the parish of Baños. If you are looking for a space to enjoy spas, this place is known for its thermal waters with mineral properties.

Viewpoint of Turi in Azuay

For a spectacular view of Cuenca, you must take a taxi to the south of the city along Solano Avenue, at the top of a hill the Turi Viewpoint is located. The views are splendid, especially at night when all the bell towers and domes of the churches are illuminated throughout the city.

Tomebamba River in Azuay

Ideal for walking and relaxing during the visit to Cuenca. Separate the Historical Center with the modern part of the city of Cuenca is one of the four rivers that the city has the same that with its singing waters adorn its landscapes where it crosses is an attraction for locals and strangers who admire it every time Visit this beautiful city

Ceramic Vega in Azuay

Eduardo Vega's ceramic gallery, besides being in a beautiful place ... it has many varied, classic, modern ceramics, with motifs of all kinds: Andean, marine, etc. They offer very nice pieces, crockery, ornaments and more.

Calderón Park

The Calderón Park is the center and heart of Cuenca since its foundation should be visited with some detail. In the center of the park, there is the monument to Abdón Calderón (hero of the Independence, native of this city); This monument is really one of the few in Cuenca with artistic merit. Here is a detail that should not go unnoticed: around the monument, eight tall pines (Araucaria excelsa) stand proudly; that were brought from Chile and planted, in the place, by President Luis Cordero.

Prohibited Cultural Center in Cuenca

Bar decorated with provocative images about demons, religion, sex and violence. You can visit it and have a drink or a coffee. It is undoubtedly one of Cuenca's most inevitable addresses, both for its spooky and work environment, the people of good character in hospitality and service, the quality of the programming and the tranquility that emanates from the wet walls.

Cajas National Park in the Province of Azuay

If you are looking for 100% contact with nature, do not hesitate to visit Parque Naciona Cajas. A center that groups more than 230 lagoons, among the most important: Lagartococha, Osohuaycu, Quinoascocha, La Toreadora, Sunincocha and Tinguishcocha.

Here you can do a variety of activities, from horseback riding, camping and sport fishing. Cajas National Park is also a firm candidate to the list of Natural World Heritage.

The Ruins of Ingapirca

Located in the province of Cañar, the largest Inca archaeological complex in Ecuador, whose ruins date from the XV and XVI centuries, located two hours from the city of Cuenca, you can not miss this tourist place.

Cuenca Cathedral

The Calderón Park is the main square of the city, dominated by the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, the new cathedral, with a large structure and covered with giant domes are visible especially from the back of the church. Construction began in 1885, and the cathedral was supposed to be much taller than it is, an error in the design meant that the planned bell towers could not be supported by the building. The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception is one of its tourist attractions.

Pumapungo Museum

The holiday can also combine it with a touch of history. In the Pumapungo museum you will find 3 permanent exhibitions of ethnography (folk art, traditions) archeology (cultures settled in the country) and numismatics (coins and bills). It is located in Calle Larga and Huayna Capac Avenue and is considered the most important in Cuenca.

Gastronomy of Azuay

Azuay meals

The gastronomy of this province has great representatives such as: mote pillo, roasted guinea pig with potatoes, hornado de chancho, tortillas de maíz, ají with zambo seeds, etc.

Mote pillo.- It is a traditional Azuay food, made with mote and egg. You can add roast beef. It is a product of European-American miscegenation

Cuy roasted .- is one of the most traditional dishes in the Austral region, and is considered exotic for foreigners, who are attracted to the end for its exquisite flavor. He who eats it with his hands, once he is divided into prey. It is served with potatoes, mote, lettuce and a drink.

Source:

1. https://www.ecured.cu/Provincia_de_Azuay_(Ecuador)
2. https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Provincia_de_Azuay

Images:

1. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ingapirca_archaeo_01.jpg