El Edén

Ecuador is full of unique areas, and it is divided into three natural regions: Amazonia, Sierra, and Costa. Loja, one of the southernmost provinces bordering Peru, is located in the Sierra. Its climate tends to be a little drier, influenced by the northern deserts of Peru. This province is the country’s largest producer of coffee. One of the main cantons of Loja is Espindola, one of the oldest in the province, named after the Espindola river. Amaluza, its capital, was founded around 1600 by Fray Bartolome de las Casas, according to some documents, during one of his trips going south towards Lima, Peru. Espindola has always played an important role, being a center of commerce due to its privileged location in the south, near Peru. Like many places where coffee is grown, Espindola is well known for its breathtaking views and landscapes. Hence, it is sometimes referred to as “El Eden” for its amazing land where various agricultural products are harvested. It is a blessed piece of land, ideal for ecotourism and simply basking in its natural beauty. “El Eden” is the reference to the amazing coee coming from this beautiful land, worked by dedicated coffee producers.

Caravela has been working with producers in the region since 2018, collaborating with 37 coffee farmers, with the number increasing and now having a dedicated PECA technician. Besides coffee, agriculture in the region includes the production of corn, peanuts, beans, sugar cane, yuca, and fruit trees. The climate in the canton of Espindola is tropical and subtropical, with temperatures ranging from 12ºC to 24ºC and a rainy season lasting six to seven months. It is a privileged area due to its natural resources, being part of the Tumbesina Region—a dry forest extending between Ecuador and Peru—and the ecoregion of the northern Andes.