El Airo, Loja facts for kids
El Airo is a small village in the southern part of Ecuador's Loja region. It's famous for growing some of the best coffee in the country! You can find it in the northwestern part of the Espindola area, about 25 kilometers from Amaluza, which is the main town of Espindola.
Contents
History of El Airo
How El Airo Got Its Name
The name El Airo comes from a long time ago. Rich landowners, called "Patrones," owned big farms here. They named their farm El Airo because of the strong winds and high mountains in the area. "Airo" sounds like "air," which makes sense with the wind!
Early People and Land Changes
The highest parts of El Airo are thought to be near an ancient Inca Trail that went through southern Ecuador. Simple stone tools and old building foundations found here suggest that the first people in El Airo were indigenous (native) groups.
For most of the 1900s, El Airo was a big farm. Most people, who were of mixed indigenous and Spanish heritage (called mestizo), worked for the Patrones. They got a small piece of land to grow their own food in return. In the 1960s, Ecuador changed its land laws. This meant that most people in El Airo finally got their own land and became free from the Patrones' control. After this, the Patrones left El Airo.
Becoming a Parish
In 1988, a respected leader named Father Ernesto Celi Roman helped the people of El Airo. They started working to make their area a recognized "parish." A parish is like a small local government area. This was important for the village to grow and get better services. All their hard work paid off! El Airo officially became a parish on August 2, 1992. On the same day, a new high school called Colegio Dos de Agosto (August 2nd School) opened.
Geography and Climate
Neighborhoods and Location
El Airo has four smaller areas, or "barrios." The biggest one is La Guaca, where the local government council meets. The other barrios are El Tambo, El Laurel, and El Batan.
El Airo is next to the Zamora Chinchipe province of Ecuador on its eastern side. On the north, west, and south, it borders other parishes within the Espindola area.
Weather and Mountains
El Airo has a nice, mild climate. The average temperature is about 21 degrees Celsius (70 degrees Fahrenheit). The land in the parish is quite high up, ranging from 1,600 to 3,200 meters (about 5,250 to 10,500 feet) above sea level. Two rivers, El Airo and Chiriacu, both start in the mountains of El Airo.
Animals and Plants
El Airo is home to many different kinds of birds, butterflies, and other animals. In the high mountain areas, people have even seen the rare spectacled bear!
People of El Airo
Population and Heritage
In 2001, about 1,093 people lived in El Airo. There were slightly more males (565) than females (528). Most of the people are mestizo, meaning they have a mix of indigenous and Spanish backgrounds.
Religion and Celebrations
The people of El Airo are mostly Catholic. They celebrate important religious holidays. One is the festival of the cross in May. Another big celebration is for their patron saint, San Vicente Ferrer, held on the first Saturday of June every year.
Art and Culture
The people of El Airo are skilled at making small handmade items. They create beautiful decorative pillows, handbags, and doilies (fancy woven mats). They also make traditional satchels. These satchels can be decorative or very useful. They come in different sizes. Big ones can be put on a donkey to carry heavy things, while smaller ones can be carried over the shoulder for lighter loads.
Economy and Coffee
Farming and Income
El Airo's economy is mostly about farming. Most families grow coffee as their main crop to sell. This coffee is the biggest source of money for almost every family. It's known as one of the best coffees in Ecuador and is grown organically (without harmful chemicals).
Families also grow other foods for themselves, like sugar cane, yucca (a root vegetable), bananas, and various fruits. Many families also raise chickens and pigs. Some even have cattle and cuyes (guinea pigs), which are sometimes eaten in Ecuador.
Coffee Cooperatives
Because coffee is so important, the people of El Airo have formed coffee cooperatives. These groups help farmers work together to grow better coffee and get fair prices for their harvest. Two of these organizations are APROCAIRO and Mercedes de Jesús Molina. APROCAIRO even won second place in a big Ecuadorian coffee contest called Taza Dorada in 2009!
Tourism in El Airo
El Airo is a great place for visitors who love coffee, outdoor adventures, and learning about local culture. A group called CoffeeWorks helps organize community tourism here.
Part of the Yacuri National Park is within El Airo's borders. This means there are many beautiful natural spots to see. You can find high-altitude lakes, like Las Rositas, and several waterfalls. The most interesting waterfall is called El Palmo. It's about 2,000 meters (6,560 feet) above sea level and has a single palm tree at the top of its fall. Some visitors also come to El Airo to see how organic coffee is grown.
Life in El Airo
Communication
El Airo recently got connected to Ecuador's mobile phone network, which is a big step! For a longer time, people have been able to get radio and television signals. Because El Airo is close to the border, they can even receive some channels from Peru.
Transportation
Getting around within El Airo is mostly done by walking, riding a donkey, or using a motorcycle. To travel in and out of El Airo, there's one bus that comes each day. There are also two "rancheras," which are like open-air bus-trucks that carry people and goods.
Images for kids
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An aerial view of El Airo, showing its beautiful landscape.
See also
In Spanish: El Airo (Loja) para niños
