Cotopaxi Province, Province in central Andes, Ecuador
Cotopaxi Province is a territory in the central Andean region of Ecuador that stretches from deep valleys to mountain peaks. The area includes seven cantons with Latacunga as its capital and features a wide variety of landscapes and elevations.
The province was founded in the mid-19th century after Ecuador gained independence. Its borders and administrative structure evolved over the decades as the region established itself as an agricultural center.
The province takes its name from the volcano that towers over everything and has shaped local life for centuries. Many communities here maintain traditional craft markets and festivals tied to old agricultural cycles that still take place today.
The Pan-American Highway crosses the territory and connects different places, making it easy for travelers to move between towns. Those visiting higher areas should prepare for cooler temperatures and thinner air.
Tropical forests, temperate valleys and barren highland steppes alternate here within short distances, creating rare transitions between climate zones. Visitors can experience several types of vegetation in a single day without covering long distances.
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