The canton was created on November 8, 1940. It is bordered to the north by
Atahualpa, to the south by
Loja, to the east by
Portovelo and
Zaruma and to the west by
Balsas and
Marcabelí. Economic activity includes agriculture such as
cattle raising and
cocoa and
sugar cane growing.
Parishes
The canton has 10 parishes (6 rural and 4 urban) totalling approximately 40,000 inhabitants.
The Patagrande Mirador is a center of Catholic Christian adoration. Processions take place here during
Holy Week and on May 3 (
Finding of the Holy Cross).
Other attractions include the tourist complex at Tarapal and crafts at Piedra Blanca and Palo Solo, La Cabaña del Café ubicada en Mirmir sector Lozumbe Parroquia San Roque.
Cuisine
Typical dishes of the area include "repe" (a creamy green banana soup) and "biscochuelo", among others