AMAZON REGION OF ECUADOR: CHARACTERISTICS, PROVINCES, CULTURES - GEOGRAPHY - 2025

The Amazon region of Ecuador or eastern Ecuador is a natural area of ​​that Latin American country that is made up of an area of ​​120,000 km ², located precisely in the Amazon. At present it includes the territories of Orellana, Pastaza, Napo, Sucumbíos, Zamora and Morona.

It is recognized worldwide for its exuberant and abundant vegetation, which represents up to 43% of the Ecuadorian territories. One of the reasons why this region has so much plant abundance is due to the fact that it has a humid-tropical climate, which favors the growth of all kinds of specimens.

Yasuní National Park is located in the Amazon region of Ecuador and is considered the most biodiverse area on the planet. Source: Ecuador Foreign Ministry

As for its limits, it can be established that these are marked by the territories of Colombia and Peru in the east, while the western part is delimited by the Andes Mountains.

Regarding its geography, the Amazon region of Ecuador is made up of a set of hills that form in the Andes, gradually descending to the Amazon plains. Likewise, this region can be divided into two geographical locations: the Amazon plain and the Upper Amazon.

The Upper Amazon is made up of the Sireno, Cóndor, Galeras, Napo and Cutucú mountain ranges. In addition, it has a volcano called Sumaco, isolated and symmetrical that over the years was detaching from the volcanic axis of Ecuador. The steepest reliefs are in the northern part of the site, while the lowest are to the east.

The Ecuadorian east is very important for the continent and for the world, since this region is in charge of regulating the climate of the entire planet. In addition, the vegetation of the place acts as a sink for gases produced by the greenhouse effect. At the national level, the Amazon region represents the energy sovereignty of the South American country.

Similarly, this region is home to 80% of Ecuador's biodiversity, along with one of the main points of fresh water, large extensions of virgin forest and one of the most important oil fields in Latin America.

characteristics

High percentage of vegetation and biodiversity

As mentioned in previous paragraphs, one of the main characteristics of eastern Ecuador consists of its wide biodiversity. For this reason it is possible to say that the ecosystem that exists in this area is one of the most prolific in the world.

This is mainly due to the latitude in which it is located, since it is located in a place where there is an ideal climate for the growth and development of all types of life, both animal and plant.

Wide presence of indigenous communities

Thanks to the thickness of its forests and its irregular geography, in the Amazon region of Ecuador several indigenous communities have been able to settle without being damaged or influenced by the rest of civilization. This has allowed the conservation of the different cultures and traditions of these ethnic groups.

The most common indigenous groups in this region are the Siona, the Cofan, the Secoya, the Shuar, the Zaparo, and the Huaorani; In addition to these, you can also find other less known ethnic groups.

Notable tourism

The Ecuadorian Amazon region is a very striking place for those who are attracted to nature. In addition, it is one of the most studied places by biologists and specialists from around the world. 8000 species of medicinal plants have been found, along with several plants that bear fruit.

There have also been 85 different species of fish and up to 95 species of birds. As for mammals, there are 80 specimens that are in danger of extinction and that coexist with 47 specimens of reptiles and amphibians.

In conclusion, there are many endemic species in this area, and this fact is striking for scholars of different nationalities.

Flora

The flora and vegetation of the Amazon region is the widest and most varied in the world; however, there are some species that stand out especially in these territories. Here we will see some of the most important.

The orchid

Within the territories of the Amazon region, up to 4500 species of orchids can be found, which makes this flower a characteristic and iconic plant of the place.

These species are a family of monocotyledonous plants and are distinguished by the complexity of their flowers and by their active interaction with pollinating specimens. They also have the ability to form mycorrhizae with some fungi.

Orchids can be easily recognized by the symmetry of their flowers, which are remarkably bilateral. In the middle piece you can see the stamens fused in style. Its size can vary depending on its species, since plants of only a few millimeters in length and others of up to 13 meters have been found.

He

Also known as "manios", podocarpus are trees belonging to an endemic species of conifers, whose leaves grow spirally on the branch and are lanceolate, although some specimens of oblong leaves have been found.

This tree produces some cones; however, the seeds of this fruit are rarely viable. The berries are usually red in color and are spread by birds once they feed on them.

Fauna

The Amazon region has a wide range of animals, many of them endemic to that area. However, some stand out especially. Next we will see the most representative species.

Anacondas or eunectes

These snakes belong to the non-poisonous family and are from the constrictor group. They are related to boas and are a mix between an extinct species and four living species. Its most outstanding feature is its remarkable extension, which can reach up to ten meters in length.

Anacondas are often given many local names, such as, for example, branches, güios, or kuriyús. They are aquatic specimens, so they feed on chigüires, fish, ducks and alligators. There are some records of anacondas that have fed on domestic care animals, such as goats.

The tapirus

The tapirus, commonly known as tapir, is a type of perissodactyl mammal that is currently in danger of extinction.

It is the only living animal of its kind, since the rest of the familiar species have disappeared. They are distantly related to horses and their closest living relative is the rhinoceros.

Depending on the place where they are found, they can receive other names such as mboreví, anta, tapir, male de monte or pinchaque. Its size is medium, with a length of 2.5 meters, and a height of 1.2 meters. Their weight can vary between 100 and 300 kilograms.

Hydrography

The Ecuadorian east has several hydrographic basins that keep the entire Amazon connected and that are very important for the development of life. In addition, they also represent the main transport routes.

The numerous rivers in this region are born in the Andes Mountains, specifically on the eastern side; some rivers also arise from the Amazon mountain range and all are characterized by being easy to navigate and mighty. The most important are the following.

Pastaza River

Originally the name of this river was Cutuchi and Patate, but it was modified with the passage of time. The currents of this body of water flow into the Marañón River.

Santiago River

This river arises from the union between the streams of Zamora and Namangoza. Like the Pastaza River, the Santiago River flows into the Marañón.

Napo River

It is one of the most important currents in the Amazon region. It is formed thanks to the union of the Cotopaxi and Tungurahua slopes. During its journey, it joins other streams such as Curaray, Coca and Aguarico. Eventually the Napo River joins the Marañón, forming the well-known Amazon River.

Relief

The relief of the Amazon region of Ecuador is very particular, since it has little pronounced areas.

In general, the Amazon is classified as an immense extension of horizontal lines where floods can occur due to the number of rivers that cross it. In addition to this, the region has some slopes that can be located to the east of the territory.

The highest recorded altitude in the area is about 350 meters, while the lowest altitude is 100 meters. On some occasions, rocky outcrops occur on the banks due to river currents.

Weather

The climate of the Amazon region usually has an annual temperature that ranges between 40 ° C and 15 ° C. This peculiarity means that the ecosystem has a tropical rain forest, which allows the gestation of very complex and endemic animal and plant specimens. In addition, this climate also allows the existence of microhabitats within the macrohabitat.

The indigenous communities that live in this area have had to learn to adapt to the climate, which is why they have complemented and connected with this ecosystem.

Through ancestral activities and medicines, the indigenous people have taken advantage of the natural resources of this place and have learned to create some naturist disciplines such as ethnogeobotany. The Shuar ethnic group is one of the most dedicated to these works.

Provinces

In total there are six provinces that make up the Amazon region of Ecuador. These are the following:

- Province of Pastaza, whose capital is Puyo.

- Napo Province, its capital being Tena.

- Morona Santiago Province, whose capital is Macas.

- Province of Orellana, with the capital Francisco de Orellana.

- Province of Zamora Chinchipe, which has the capital of Zamora.

- Province of Sucumbíos, with the capital of Nueva Loja.

Cultures and customs

The population of Ecuador is diverse, since it has a remarkable miscegenation. According to a census carried out in 2001, it can be established that 74% of the population is mestizo and 10% is white, while the remaining percentage is divided between mulattoes, Amerindians and blacks.

Within the Amazon region, only 5% of the Ecuadorian population lives; this without counting those peoples who voluntarily stay away from civilization, such as the Tagaeri, the Oñamenane and the Taromenane, whose nationality is Huaorani and not properly Ecuadorian.

The cultures and customs of the Amazon region must be established taking into account the indigenous community, since these ethnic groups constitute almost the entire population of these exuberant and wild territories. The best known communities are the following.

The redwoods

The Secoya community is part of the Western Tukano families. They are located near Cuyabeno and have access to the Aguarico River.

Officially these tribes handle two languages: Spanish and Paicoca. The population of these Indians is three hundred people, distributed in 78 tribes or families.

Within their activities and traditions it can be established that the redwoods practice fishing, hunting and agriculture. Currently the well-being of this tribe is threatened by oil companies, palm producing companies and some settlers.

The pastazas

The official language of this ethnic group is the Wao Terero and they are known mainly for practicing hunting, in addition to highlighting their war skills; this has been recorded in the missionaries' narratives.

Its population is 1800 people, although some groups of hundreds of people in this community, such as the Tagaeris or the Pata Colorada, have decided to completely avoid contact with Western culture.

The shuar

Culturally, the Shuar are known for producing elaborate handicrafts and practicing horticulture. They are located between the provinces of Morona Santiago and Zamora Chichipe, although they have also been found in some territories of Pastaza. Its official language is Shuar Chicham, which comes from the Jivaroana linguistic family.

Its current population is one hundred thousand people, making it one of the most populated indigenous communities in Ecuador. The Shuar are divided into 660 communities.

Gastronomic culture

Gastronomically, these communities are dedicated to preparing dishes such as the volquetero ceviche, which consists of a fish meat marinated with citrus flavors; they also consume chicha de yuca and chicha de chonta (the latter is extracted from corn).

In addition, in the Amazon region they also prepare palm heart and mushroom ceviche, along with some more exotic dishes such as frog legs and armadillo.

In medicinal terms, indigenous communities often consume a drink known as ayahuasca, which has purifying and hallucinogenic properties.

Economy

The Amazon region provides Ecuador with oil, which represents the majority of this country's income.

Although oil extraction is the largest source of financial income, in this area there are also profits from tourism, livestock, trade and agriculture. In addition, it has provision of services by small industries and public employees.

Regarding the natural resources that the Amazon provides and that contribute to the economy of Ecuador, the main ones are tea, tobacco, sugarcane, plantain, banana, yucca and naranjilla. This variety of products is due to the excellent fertility of its lands.

-Petroleum

Exploration for oil began in 1964, when the Pico Company decided to invest in this area. Operations began the following year, specifically in the city of Nueva Loja. Shortly thereafter, Texaco formed a consortium that allowed a well to be found in 1972 and began large-scale production.

The first national oil company was CEPE, which is currently known as Petroecuador. This first institution obtained only 25% of the profits made by the Texaco consortium. After twenty years, they managed to produce almost 2 billion barrels, obtaining a profit of 25 billion dollars.

In 1977 the interests were sold to CEPE, causing Petroecuador to become the sole owner in 1993. In 2008 a new deposit was found located in Los Encuentros. According to some sources, this was the largest field in the region in terms of production.

Ecuador is part of OPEC, so it has been able to benefit in terms of the prices of its exports; Furthermore, the country also has natural gas deposits on its border with Colombia. Experts consider that these two elements guarantee Ecuador its economic growth in the future.

-The gold mines

Gold has also been found in the Amazon region, so the mines are part of their economic income.

The deposit is located in Nambija and is currently the largest in Zamora. Its precise location is 36 km from the city and 2600 meters above sea level.

The mountains where these mines are found are made up of several caves and galleries where thousands of surveyors work.

According to various sources, these employees used traditional methods to extract the gold, which caused several accidents in which at least 100 people died. Currently there is a lot of crime and crime in this area.

In the surroundings of this place, livestock is also carried out. The waste from this practice is dumped into the Nambija River, which has caused its waters to be seriously contaminated, damaging the flora and fauna of that place.

-Tourism

The eastern Ecuador has a series of national parks that are under the protection of the State and are sworn in by UNESCO. The most important are the following.

Yasuni National Park

This park has an area of ​​almost ten thousand square kilometers and is located in the provinces of Pastaza and Orellana, just between the Curaray River and the Napo River.

It is about two hundred and fifty kilometers from the city of Quito. The park is jungle in nature and is considered a biosphere reserve by UNESCO.

According to some studies, the Yasuní National Park is the most biodiverse area on the planet thanks to its huge number of mammals, amphibians, birds and plants.

According to the records, this park has a greater number of species per hectare than the entire European continent: it is stipulated that there are around 3,100 plant species in the Yasuní territory.

Cuyabeno Wildlife Production Reserve

This reserve is located in Sucumbíos, northwest of the territory of the Amazon region. In this reserve you can also find a wide biodiversity; This place is believed to be home to one of the highest concentrations of wildlife, both fauna and flora.

In addition, it also has remarkable aquatic formations, since it has 13 lagoons and some rivers. The Cuyabeno reserve has an area of ​​603,000 hectares and more than five hundred species of birds, sixty species of orchids and three hundred types of fish.

In its lagoons we can find river turtles, anacondas and alligators. As for plants, it is estimated that up to 12,000 species can be found.

This place is registered in the National System of Protected Areas, so there are very few operators that facilitate tourism in this area. Consequently, it is difficult to access this reserve.

Podocarpus National Park

This park is located between Zamora and Loja, specifically in the eastern part of the region. Its establishment occurred in 1982 and it is an area full of diversity and endemism due to its location. Its extension is 146,280 km ², so it ranges from the Andes Mountains to the Loyola, Numbala and Nangaritza rivers.

Regarding its extension within the provinces, the park occupies only 15% of Loja while the remaining 85% is located in Zamora. The creation of this park aimed to protect the Podocarpus species, an endemic tree of the place. From this specimen comes the name of the park.

Some researchers have baptized this park with the name of the Botanical Garden of America, as a consequence of the large amount of flora that can be found in this area.

The park can be visited by a series of trails that are open to the public. However, some of the trails are difficult and risky, so it is recommended to proceed with extreme caution.

References

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3. SA (sf) Amazon region of Ecuador. Retrieved on June 20, 2019 from Wikipedia: es.wikipedia.org
4. SA (sf) Amazon region of Ecuador. Retrieved on June 20, 2019 from Provinces of Ecuador: Provinciasecuador.com
5. SA (sf) Amazon or eastern region. Retrieved on June 20, 2019 from Tu Ecuador Mágico: tuecuadormagico.com