Loja Province - Ecuador

Located in the south of the country, in the geographical area known as the Inter-Andean or Sierra region. Its administrative capital is the city of Loja, which is also its largest and most populous city. It occupies a territory of about 11,066 km², being the ninth province of the country by extension. It borders the provinces of El Oro to the northwest; with the province of Zamora Chinchipe to the east; with the province of Azuay to the north; to the south with the Peruvian provinces of Sullana and Ayabaca and to the west with the provinces of Zarumilla and Tumbes, also belonging to Peru.

This province is characterized by its predominant climate, which varies between tropical savanna and temperate, arid in summer and humid in winter, the highest areas have a moor climate; The average temperature in this province is 20 ° C.

In agriculture we can find corn, rice, coffee, sugar cane, dried beans, tropical fruits, cereals, bananas, peanuts, cassava, vegetables, potatoes, onions, among other fruits. In livestock we find mostly cattle, goats, pigs and horses.

It is one of the most important administrative, economic, financial and commercial centers of southern Ecuador. The development of the industry in the province, in general, was based on the manual skills of its inhabitants. It has a very unique importance for the history of southern Ecuador, as it is a midpoint between the coast and the Amazon, since ancient times it was constituted as a meeting place between cultures, merchants and events of religious connotation.

Tourist Attractions of Loja

As main centers of tourist attraction, the cathedrals that thrive throughout the city of Loja are highlighted, the valleys and the beautiful landscapes fill this province, full of charm and green. The Petrified Forest of Puyango which is shared jointly with the province of El Oro has great scientific value, and is part of one of the few tropical dry forests in the world.

Vilcabamba, located south of the city of Loja, has a special charm, its inhabitants are less than a thousand, and have an excellent average life, tourists come looking to find and have the benefits of this longevity.

The Malacatos Valley is among one of the most beautiful valleys in terms of landscape and flora.

Pilgrimage to the parish of El Cisne: It is one hour from Catamayo. In this one it finds the religious temple of the virgin of the Swan of gothic style and that is one of the largest in the province of Loja. The holidays in El Cisne are in August beginning on 17 and ending on November 17. During those 4 months the population increases in Loja and much more in El Cisne. The tour begins in San Pedro de la Bendita then passes to Catamayo where they receive it with pyrotechnic parties after being 3 days passes to Loja where most of the tourists stay to see the virgin and then the virgin in November returns to the Swan.

Catamayo: hospitable city is ready to receive the tourist or the traveler who travels through the place, possessing an enviable climate and with a very wide tourist infrastructure.

Avocados: it is a canton of the province of Loja named after the presence of the pre-Inca ethnic group Palta, which is the fundamental element of provincial ethnography and history

Flowering of the Guayacanes in Mangahurco: The flowering of the guayacanes: The welcome to the new year is given by nature, in the south of Ecuador at the Festival for the Flowering of the Guayacanes, a unique natural spectacle that happens with the first rains of the which we call "Winter", in the month of January.

In Zapotillo, Loja province, there are the towns of Mangahurco, Bolaspamba and Cazaderos, which are surrounded by an extensive forest of guayacanes, the largest in Ecuador. Because it has a dry climate and is located at approximately 300 meters above sea level, it is considered one of the most important dry hot forests in the region, however with the arrival of the new year the winter season begins, and the first Rains of the year bring the flowering of these timber, which has been a reason to increase the presence of tourists in the area every year, both for the beauty of the trees and for the characteristic aroma of the flowers of guayacán.

Jipiro Park: In avocado means resting place, it is a children's cultural and recreational park, it is one of the most important recreation centers in Loja.

Gastronomy of the Province of Loja

The crazy repe: The repe is a delicious typical crazy soup that is prepared with banana or green banana, milk, cheese or cheese, and coriander.
Peas with guineo: The pea soup with guineo is a typical crazy dish (similar to the repe, but not exactly the same) prepared with green bananas, peas, onion, condiments, cheese and coriander.
Beef jerky: The cured beef jerky is one of my favorite typical dishes, it can be found in many restaurants, but they all say that the best jerky are prepared in Catamayo (Latoma). Beef jerky consists of thin fillets of pork or pork that are seasoned with cumin and garlic, and then dried in the sun, and prepared roasted or fried. The beef jerky is served with cassava, onion and tomato tan, rice, and a good chili pepper.
Loose tamales with pepa pepper: Loja is known for its exquisite tamales, which are filled with a condumio of chicken or pork, and wrapped in achira leaves. The distant tamales are served with the infallible pepa pepper, a delicious slightly spicy sauce that is prepared with zambo (pumpkin / squash) potatoes liquefied with coriander, peppers (hot peppers), and spices. Tamales are served for breakfast or afternoon coffee.
Humitas: The humitas lojanas, also sometimes called simply humas, are prepared with tender choclos, eggs, cheese, and cream, and cooked in the steamed choclos leaves. Like tamales they are served for breakfast or with coffee, and usually both humitas and tamales can be found in the same place. The humitas are delicious with the tree tomato pepper.

Culture and traditions of the "South Sentinel"

The "tusorio" is one of the ancient customs of the Quilanguenses, nowadays some still practice it. It consists of the haircut to a child of 4 to 6 years old by the Godfather of Baptism, it is customary for each guest to the party and that cuts the "jimba" (braid) of the child, you must deposit a quantity of money for the child's needs; The party costs are borne by the child's parents, the sponsor must leave if he prefers any details for his godson.

Source:
https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loja_Provincia

Images:
https://commons.wikimedia.org wiki / File: AMA_Florecimiento_de_los_Guayacanes _-_ domingo_ (12163628793) .jpg