Ecuador (República del Ecuador) is a country in northwestern South America. It is bordered by Peru on the South and East and Colombia in the North and the Pacific Ocean on the West. Quito is the capital, and Guayaquil is the biggest city in Ecuador.

 

The official language is Spanish, while Kichwa, Shuar and other languages are recognized regional languages. Ecuador is divided into 24 provinces, one of these provinces is Imbabura, the province where Otavalo is located.

 

Ecuador’s best known touristic attraction are the Galapagos Islands in the Pacific. Also important is the historic city center of Quito, which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1970. Since January 2007 Ecuador is governed by President Rafael Correa.

 

Otavalo is “one of the most beautiful places I know” (–Lynn A. Meisch, Professor of Anthropology at St. Mary's College of California, in her 2002 book “Andean Entrepreneurs”)

 

Otavalo is a canton located in the province of Imbabura in Ecuador. The population is approximately 90,000 and it is largely indigenous. The capital is the small town of Otavalo. The region is surrounded by three volcanos, Imbabura, Cotacachi and Mojanda.

 

Located at about 9,000ft above sea level, Otavalo is close to both Ecuador’s capital Quito and the Colombian border. Thanks to its spring-like climate and year-round rainfall, the Otavalo valley is always lush and green.

 

The town is famous for its market and the handicrafts sold there and it is visited by tourists from all over the world.