Piñas Canton

Piñas Canton is an administrative division in El Oro Province located at about 1,471 meters (4,826 feet) elevation. It comprises nine districts spread across mountainous terrain, including the settlements of Capiro, La Bocana, Moromoro, and Piedras.

The canton was established on November 8, 1940, and took its name from Juan de Loayza, who named it after his Spanish hometown. This naming reflects the region's colonial roots and the influence of early Spanish settlers.

The population of 40,000 residents maintains traditions through religious processions at Patagrande Mirador and prepares regional dishes such as repe soup.

Santa Rosa Airport provides the nearest air access to the region. A network of roads connects this canton to neighboring areas such as Atahualpa and Portovelo.

The nearby Buenaventura Forest is home to around 30 hummingbird species and rare birds like the El Oro parakeet and Ecuadorian tapaculo. This forest area serves as a critical refuge for specialized woodland birds living in the region's humid mountain forests.

Location: El Oro Province

Elevation above the sea: 1,471 m

GPS coordinates: -3.66667,-79.65000

Latest update: December 20, 2025 14:40