Zone Description

Located in the Province of: Azuay
Established: May 11, 1996
Named a Recreational Area: June 6, 1977 Resolution No. 057
Area: 29,000 hectares - 71,568 acres Altitude Range: 3,000 - 3,500 meters above sea level Living Zones: bhM, bmhM, bmhSA, bpSA

Description of the Region

Cajas National Park is a highland ecosystem including 232 lakes situated in large valleys. Some of the major lakes include Lagartococha, Osohuaycu, Mamamag or Taitachungo, Quinoascocha, La Toreadora, Sunincocha, Cascarillas, Ventanas and Tinguishcocha. These lakes feed several small rivers, such as Tomebamba, Mazán, Yanucay and Miguir, all of which originate in Cajas and are the source of portable water for the city of Cuenca. Additionally, the rivers are responsible for moving the turbines of the Paute Hydroelectric Complex, which provides electricity to almost all of Ecuador.