Cañar

Province in south-central Ecuador; area 4,180 sq km/1,614 sq mi; population (1996) 208,079. The capital is Azogues. The Naranjal and Cañar rivers flow through the province. Cañar was a centre of Inca civilization; the area contains many impressive ruins, including the fortress-like Ingapirca. The province has a varied topography, ranging from the high Andes to the tropical Río Naranjal valley. The largest coal deposit to be discovered in the country to date lies in the region, although, as yet, it has not been fully exploited.