Loja Province

Based between the humid Amazon basin and the coastal sechura desert in Peru the environment consists of páramo, cloud forest and jungle landscapes.

Famous for the Vírgen del Cisne religious festivals it organizes in September every year, Loja is also known for its musicians.

The city has a number of important music academies, including the Conservatorio Nacional de Musica, the house of the most influential musicians in Ecuador.

[6] Inhabitants of this community enjoy a long life span due to its ideal climate and local hot springs.

Articles have even appeared in well known periodicals such as Reader's Digest and National Geographic magazine, providing their own theories to the longevity of Vilcabamba's inhabitants.

Loja Province has seen its fair share of mining, predominantly gold and bauxite, which has consequently caused damage to the environment.

Ethnic groups as of the Ecuadorian census of 2010:[7] Loja Province, much like other divisions in Ecuador, is divided into three main institutions.

Macará Mountains
Amazon parrot
Wild cherimoya plants in Vilcabamba, Ecuador