Capital: Zamora (also called the "city of birds and waterfalls").
Characteristics: Mountainous terrain (transition from the Andes to the Amazon lowlands), extremely high biodiversity, tropical wet climate.
Known for: Mining (primarily gold, hence the name "mining capital" of Ecuador, e.g., Nambija).
Nature & tourism: Parque Nacional Podocarpus (cloud forest, waterfalls, orchids, birds), numerous waterfalls, rivers, and protected areas.
Indigenous peoples: Primarily Shuar (Shuar) with a rich culture and archaeological sites (such as the ancient cacao plantation).
Economic activities: Mining dominates, plus agriculture, livestock farming, and ecotourism.
In short: one of Ecuador's most biodiverse and least populated provinces, with a strong focus on nature, indigenous culture, and mining (with occasional conflicts over environmental impact).
Ideal for adventurous nature travelers!
