Lago Agrio Canton, Administrative canton in Sucumbíos Province, Ecuador.
Lago Agrio Canton is an administrative county in Sucumbíos Province within Ecuador's Amazon region, covering a large area of rainforest. Nueva Loja serves as the capital and administrative center from which eight parishes are governed.
The canton emerged following oil discovery in 1967 and became an official administrative unit in 1979. This economic development shaped the formation of settlements and local governance structures.
Different communities live and work across the parishes, each maintaining their own customs and ways of life. In Nueva Loja and the surrounding villages, you can see how these distinct groups shape daily routines and local practices.
The area connects to other Ecuadorian regions through road networks and bus services operating from Nueva Loja's terminal. Plan visits during drier months when roads are more passable and travel is generally easier.
The name derives from Sour Lake in Texas, named after Texaco's original oil well location in the United States. This naming reflects the international roots of the region's economic development.
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