Imbabura Province, Province in northern Andes, Ecuador
Imbabura is a province in the northern highlands of Ecuador that covers six cantons and stretches between mountains, valleys, and lakes. The relief alternates between steep slopes and open plains, crossed by small rivers and paths.
The province was created in 1824, after the area had been under Spanish administration during colonial times. Boundaries changed several times until the current territory was defined during the second half of the 19th century.
The name comes from the Imbabura Volcano, which locals also call the Mountain of Hope and which rises above the flat lands. On market days, vendors and visitors from surrounding communities gather to trade or buy textiles, ceramics, and food.
Buses run regularly between Ibarra and the other cantons, making travel within the province easier. Roads in the higher areas can be steep and sometimes poorly paved, so careful driving is advisable.
Some villages sit directly at the foot of the volcanoes, so on clear days the houses have the snow-capped peaks as a backdrop. On certain days, mist rises from the craters and slowly drifts down into the valley.
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