Ecuadorian Andes
Running the length of Ecuador and splitting the country into two from north to south the
mountains and valleys of the High Andes form the heart of Ecuador.
The Andes are one of the greatest mountain ranges in the world.
With an average elevation of 12,000-ft, the range stretches for 4500
miles from the tip of South America at Cape Horn along the western coast
to Panama.
In Ecuador the Andes divides into two parallel ranges, the Cordillera Occidental (the western range) and
the Cordillera Oriente (the eastern range) of the two ranges the Oriente
is higher and wider. Between the ranges are fertile valleys known as the
Sierras or the Andean Highlands where civilizations have cultivated the
land for thousands of years. The Pan American Highway runs down this central inter-Andean valley
from the border with Columbia at Tulcan, to Loja, south of Cuenca where
it turns west to the coast to cross the Peruvian border at Huaquillas.
The plateau of Quito (the valley containing Ecuador's capital) is at an
altitude of approximately 10000-ft (2900m) on the western slopes of
Pichincha volcano. The lofty elevation renders Quito and the
rest Andean Highlands a more temperate climate than one would imagine of
the equatorial region. During the day a subtropical climate prevails in
the valleys and spring like temperatures occur at the higher altitudes,
nights are cold.
From Quito it is possible to visit the northern,
central and southern highlands.
Traveling through this region, visitors are inspired by the spectacular
scenery. Whether gazing at the snow-covered
peaks, clear mountain lakes,
or colonial churches travelers are sure to be delighted. Prior to the arrival of the Spanish in 1534, the Incas ruled the Andes for about 50
years from 1480, there legacy being the Quechua language, still spoken
as a first language by more than half of the population. The area is
still home to a number of indigenous peoples, from the Caņaris, north of
Cuenca to the black communities of the Chota Valley in the north.
The
most famous are the Otavaleņeos. Bought here by the Incas at the end of
the 15th century or early in the 16th century, the Otavalaņos have
maintained their own identity while successfully integrating into the
modern economy. Their strength is their love of textiles, expressed in
their weavings, coupled with a sharp business sense, that has led the
young men and women of this nation to travel all over the globe selling
their weaving and other artisan products from Ecuador.
Health Issues
Due to the extreme elevation of Quito 9,600 feet those people with
heart conditions or have trouble at altitudes should speak to a physician
before visiting this region.
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