| Tungurahua | |||
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| — Province — | |||
| Province of Tungurahua | |||
| Landscape near Baños | |||
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| Tungurahua Province in Ecuador | |||
| Cantons of Tungurahua Province | |||
| Coordinates: | |||
| Country | Ecuador | ||
| Capital | Ambato | ||
| Cantons |
List of cantons
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| Government | |||
| • Provincial Prefect | Fernando Naranjo (Unidad Intercultural) | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 3,371 km2 (1,301.6 sq mi) | ||
| Elevation | 2,600 m (8,530 ft) | ||
| Highest elevation | 5,016 m (16,457 ft) | ||
| Lowest elevation | 900 m (2,953 ft) | ||
| Population (2011)INEC decadal national census | |||
| • Total | 581,389 | ||
| Time zone | ECT (UTC-5) | ||
Tungurahua (Spanish: Provincia del Tungurahua, literally Province of the Tungurahua) is one of the twenty-four provinces of Ecuador. Its capital is Ambato. The province takes its name from the Tungurahua volcano, which is located within the boundaries of the provinces.
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As of 2011, Tungurahua had an estimated population of 581,389.[1] Approximately 10% of that population is made up of indigenous peoples, while another 70% are of mestizo or mixed race heritage. The final 20% is made up of peoples of African, Asian, and European ancestry.
The province has a dry, temperate climate. Like all mountainous areas, the region experiences the phenomenon known as microclimates in which small portions of the province receive drastically different conditions from others due to winds and area pressure. Generally though, Tungurahua experiences temperatures in-between 14 and 17 degree Celsius in the day-time with cooler nights. At higher altitudes, conditions are obviously much colder. Despite being near the Equator, mountains like Carihuayrazo and Chimborazo are covered in snow for much of the year.[2]
The province is very mountainous, containing the Tungurahua volcano near Baños as well as bordering the Carihuayrazo and Chimborazo volcanoes to the south. Baños is the biggest tourist destination. The principal river of the province is the Patate River which flows to the east toward the Amazon Region.[3]
The province is divided into nine cantons which stretch from Ambato in the east to Baños in the west. The following table lists each with its population as of the 2001 census, its area in square kilometres (km²), and the name of the canton seat or capital.[4]
| Canton | Pop. (2011) | Area (km²) | Seat/Capital |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ambato | 387,282 | 1,009 | Ambato (San Juan de Ambato) |
| Baños | 19,112 | 1,065 | Baños (Baños de Agua Santa) |
| Cevallos | 8,873 | 19 | Cevallos |
| Mocha | 8,371 | 86 | Mocha |
| Patate | 16,771 | 315 | Patate |
| Pelileo | 58,988 | 202 | Pelileo (San Pedro de Pelileo) |
| Píllaro | 44,925 | 443 | Píllaro (Santiago de Píllaro) |
| Quero | 23,187 | 173 | Quero (Santiago de Quero) |
| Tisaleo | 14,525 | 59 | Tisaleo |
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