Imbabura First Unesco Global Geopark Ecuador
picture by Sam B.
The province of Imbabura First Unesco Global Geopark Ecuador, was added to the list of the Unesco Global Geoparks. This list includes places that are considered examples of the geological diversity of our planet. Located in the northern inter-Andean region of Ecuador, the Imbabura Geopark is famous for its large number of lakes and its magnificent geological formations, such as the Peguche Waterfalls. The highest mountain summit of the site is the Cotacachi volcano, which rises to 4’939 meters high and is located within the Cotacachi-Cayapas Ecological Reserve.
The province of Imbabura, whose capital, Ibarra, is known by the name of “White City”, has numerous indigenous villages and colonial towns that attract thousands of visitors each year. The current population includes diverse indigenous and mestizo groups: caranquis, cayambis, otavalos, zuletas, natabuelas, montubios, Afro-Ecuadorians and awás. Other South American sites on the list are Kütralkura, in Chile, and the geological reserve of Colca and Volcanes de Andagua, in the Andes of Peru. In the new list are also ecosystems such as Funiushan in China, the Vis Archipelago in Croatia and the Trollfjell in Norway. With the new designations, the International Network of World Geoparks of Unesco has 147 disseminated in 41 countries. Imbabura First Unesco Global Geopark Ecuador.
This heritage is strengthened and becomes more attractive due to its complementarity with ethnic, cultural and productive diversity.
Imbabura First Unesco Global Geopark Ecuador
Imbabura First Unesco Global Geopark Ecuador has 4’599 km2 of surface in which it lodges lakes, lagoons, volcanoes, geo-sites of scenic beauty. The presence of own communities and cultures stands out. According to official projections, it has approximately 428’355 inhabitants. It is organized in 6 cantons: Ibarra, the provincial capital, founded in 1606; Otavalo, Cotacachi, Antonio Ante, Urcuquí and Pimampiro. Its political organization includes 36 rural parishes.
The Unesco Global Geoparks are defined as geographical areas where landscapes and places of international geological relevance that are managed from a concept of protection, education and sustainable development, which involves local communities.
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