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COTOPAXI NATIONAL PARK
In the native language, Quichua, it means " Moon Throne or Neck of the Moon".
At 5,978 m above sea level it is the world's highest volcano. It is covered by glaciers and snow year around. The mountain is the greatest attraction of Cotopaxi National Park.
The Cotopaxi Volcano attracts top climbers from all over the world. You can do many activities such as climbing, trekking, hiking, biking, horseback riding, etc.
The Cotopaxi National Park, which contains a huge forest of over 250 acres. Deer, many species of birds and other animals have found an excellent refuge in these forest.
At the lower altitudes one can find several indigenous plants and fruits such as: capuli, mortino, valeriana, romerillo, quinua, and chochos. All are eatable.
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A very famous Ecuadorian flower called "Chuquiragua" is found at the higher altitudes along with pajonales, lichen and lycopodium.
The Lagoon of Limpiopungo located at 3,850 meters above sea level is a good place to observe gulls, quilicos, condors and an incredible panoramic view where it is possible to photograph the Cotopaxi, Sincholagua and Ruminahui Mountains.
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COTOPAXI - The Volcano
It has erupted 50 times since 1738. The 1877 eruption melted snow and ice on the summit, which produced mudflows that traveled 60 miles (100 km) from the volcano. The most recent eruption of Cotopaxi ended in 1904. Reports of an eruption in 1942 have not been confirmed. The most recent activity was an increase in steam emissions, melting snow, and small earthquakes from 1975-1976.
For more information about the threat on the activity of the volcano go to:
http://www.igepn.edu.ec/
- Click on "Volcanes",
- then click on "Cotopaxi",
- and then go to "informes" --> If there are threats usually there are daily reports. If there are not, then usually they have weekly reports.
The Cotopaxi Volcano. - A perfect cone shape, which is covered by glaciers and snow.
It attracts top climbers on a regular basis from all over the world.
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