Cliffs
Park geography
Detailed analysis of alpine terrain, volcanic landscapes, and regional distribution
Structured Geographic Profile and Mapped Boundaries of Cotopaxi National Park in Ecuador
This geographic profile provides an overview of the terrain and physical layout of Cotopaxi National Park, located across the provinces of Cotopaxi, Napo, and Pichincha. Examine the defined boundary measurements, alpine climate classifications, and specific natural features such as the Cotopaxi volcano and associated peaks.
Related tags
Volcanic landscapesPáramo ecosystemsAndean highlandsActive volcanoesMountain parks
Home to one of the world's highest active volcanoes in Ecuador's Andean highlands
Cotopaxi National Park
Cotopaxi National Park is a protected area in Ecuador spanning the Cotopaxi, Napo, and Pichincha provinces approximately 50 kilometers south of Quito. The park is centered around Cotopaxi, one of the highest active volcanoes on Earth, whose name derives from Quechua meaning 'smooth neck of the moon.' The volcanic landscape defines the park's character, with Cotopaxi rising dramatically from the surrounding páramo ecosystem and highland grasslands. Established in 1975, the park protects a significant area of Ecuador's Andean environment including two additional volcanoes, Rumiñawi to the northwest and Sincholagua to the southeast. The region holds deep cultural significance for indigenous communities and represents a critical zone for high-altitude ecosystem preservation in northern South America.
- Location
- Ecuador
- Park type
- National park
- Established
- 1975
- Area
- 333.9 km²
Location overview
Provincial boundaries and national alignment in mainland Ecuador
Geographic Location of Cotopaxi National Park in Ecuador
Cotopaxi National Park is situated entirely within Ecuador, spanning the Napo, Pichincha, and Cotopaxi provinces. As a contiguous mainland reserve, the protected area contains no marine, island, or transboundary territory.
- Countries
- Ecuador
- Regions
- Cotopaxi Province, Napo Province, Pichincha Province
- Primary location
- Cotopaxi Province
- Geographic setting
- Inland
Boundary and coordinates
Analyzing the mapped spatial extent covering 333.93 square kilometers
Cotopaxi National Park Geographic Boundary Map and Spatial Limits
Mapped boundary outlines define the spatial context and geographic shape of Cotopaxi National Park. Structured dataset facts detail the estimated area of 333.93 square kilometers along with coordinate limits.
- Boundary area
- 336.7 km²
- Boundary perimeter
- 79 km
- Northernmost point
- 0.5601° S
- Southernmost point
- 0.746° S
- Easternmost point
- 78.3711° W
- Westernmost point
- 78.5819° W
- Geographic centre
- 0.657° S, 78.4647° W
- North–south span
- 20.6 km
- East–west span
- 23.5 km
Terrain and natural features
Mountain classification and recorded geographic features
Cotopaxi National Park Terrain and Named Natural Features
Mountain park terrain classifications organize the protected landscape and its recorded natural features. Linked feature cards supply names, types, measurements, and spatial relationships where documented.
Selected named natural features
Viewpoints
Mirador
Streams
Quebrada Puchalitola
Rivers
Rio Patate
Volcanoes
Rumiñahui
Peaks
Rumiñahui noroccidental
4,490 m
Environmental setting
Alpine climate zones and mountain relief across volcanic landscapes
Cotopaxi National Park Environmental Classifications and Physical Setting
Stored classifications provide complementary perspectives on the physical terrain and alpine setting of the protected area. Recorded categories connect directly to corresponding atlas destinations for wider geographic comparison.
- Relief
- Mountain
- Climate
- Alpine
- Water
- Minor water
Landscape features
Volcano · Mountains
Park atlas
Trace the regional spread of protected areas, comparing diverse volcanic landscapes and high-altitude páramo ecosystems across the Ecuadorian Andes.
Explore National Parks and Protected Areas Near Cotopaxi National Park, Ecuador's Volcanic Andean Highlands
Continue your exploration from Cotopaxi National Park to browse a curated list of other national parks and protected areas across Ecuador's central highlands. Compare diverse volcanic landscapes, high-altitude páramo ecosystems, and mountain environments to understand their regional distribution and conservation significance within the Andean chain.
Nature reserveEcuador
8.4 km away#1 closest
West
Reserva Ecológica Los Illinizas: Geographic Atlas and Andean Protected Nature Reserve
Volcanic terrain and cloud forest ecosystems in central Ecuador
Spanning across the provinces of Cotopaxi, Pichincha, and Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas, Reserva Ecológica Los Illinizas preserves a significant vertical gradient of Andean ecosystems. The reserve protects the western flanks of the Illiniza volcanoes, Quilotoa, and El Corazón, offering a detailed look at high-altitude biodiversity and the transition from rugged mountain peaks to lush western cloud forests.
- Area
- 1,342.33 km²
- Established
- 1996
- IUCN
- Ia
- Relief
- Mountain
National parkEcuador
12 km away#2 closest
Southeast
Llanganates National Park: Detailed Atlas Entry for Ecuador's Protected Landscape
Explore the mapped geography and regional context of this Ecuadorian national park.
Llanganates National Park is a designated national park offering rich opportunities for geographic and landscape exploration. As a significant protected area in Ecuador, it provides crucial context for understanding the country's natural terrain and the distribution of its conservation landscapes. This entry is designed to facilitate an atlas-style discovery of the park's location, boundaries, and its role within the broader geography of the region.
- Area
- 2,197.07 km²
- Established
- 1996
- IUCN
- II
- Relief
- Mountain
Wildlife reservePichincha
About 12 km away#3 closest
North
Refugio de Vida Silvestre Pasochoa: Volcanic Crater and Andean Forest Protected Area
Geographic atlas of the Pichincha volcanic highlands
Located in the Pichincha province, Refugio de Vida Silvestre Pasochoa protects an essential highland habitat defined by its steep volcanic crater walls and dense bamboo stands. This area provides a scientific reference for inter-Andean vegetation, featuring a sharp contrast between forested inner slopes and surrounding agricultural landscapes. Map the ecological gradient of this protected refuge and explore its role within the broader northern Andean geographic context.
- Area
- 9.799 km²
- Established
- 1996
- IUCN
- Ib
- Relief
- Mountain
National parkNapo
17 km away#4 closest
East
Parque nacional Antisana: Volcanic Terrain and Andean Protected Area Geography
High-altitude ecosystems spanning Napo and the Andean corridor
Spanning the rugged Cordillera Real, Parque nacional Antisana protects a vast sweep of volcanic terrain dominated by its central stratovolcano. From glacial fields to the water-retention capacity of its páramo wetlands, the area represents a crucial node in Ecuador's conservation network, providing a sanctuary for Andean condors and diverse montane species.
- Area
- 1,205.81 km²
- Established
- 1993
- IUCN
- Ia
- Relief
- Mountain
Biosphere reserveNapo
About 26 km away#5 closest
East
Reserva Biológica Colonso-Chalupas: Protected Landscapes of the Upper Napo Basin
A critical vertical corridor of the Ecuadorian Andes and Amazon.
Reserva Biológica Colonso-Chalupas represents a unique bioclimatic transition, stretching nearly 4,000 meters in elevation. This biosphere reserve serves as a functional corridor connecting high-altitude páramo and cloud forests to warm, humid Amazonian lowlands, forming a key structural element of the eastern Andean conservation landscape.
- Area
- 931.63 km²
- Established
- 2014
- Relief
- Mountain
- Climate
- Alpine
National parkEcuador
62 km away#6 closest
East
Sumaco Napo-Galeras National Park: Ecuador's Volcanic National Park Landscape
Explore protected areas and biodiversity in the Andean-Amazon transition.
Sumaco Napo-Galeras National Park protects a dramatic volcanic landscape in Ecuador, showcasing a significant elevation gradient that supports diverse cloud forest and Amazonian rainforest habitats. This national park is recognized for its endemic species and rich avifauna, offering a compelling case study for understanding protected land geography and ecological transitions within South America.
- Area
- 2,067.49 km²
- Established
- 1994
- IUCN
- II
- Relief
- Mountain
Nature reservePichincha
About 67 km away#7 closest
North
Reserva Geobotánica Pululahua: Protected Volcanic Caldera and Highland Ecosystems
A distinct geobotanical reserve in the Pichincha region of the Ecuadorian Andes.
Reserva Geobotánica Pululahua is a protected natural area centered on a massive, 12-kilometer-wide volcanic caldera. Its landscape features three prominent lava domes and a rare altitudinal gradient of vegetation, spanning from semi-dry mountain shrubland to dense cloud forest. This reserve serves as a critical study of volcanic geology and human-landscape interaction in the high Andes, offering a concentrated look at Ecuador's vertical ecological zonation.
- Area
- 34.417 km²
- Established
- 1966
- Relief
- Mountain
- Climate
- Subtropical
Wildlife reserveChimborazo
69 km away#8 closest
Southwest
Reserva de Producción de Fauna Chimborazo: Volcanic Landscapes and Andean Wildlife Reserve
High-altitude watershed and páramo geography in central Ecuador.
Spanning from glacial summits to arid puna plains, the Reserva de Producción de Fauna Chimborazo represents a complex Andean ecosystem. This wildlife reserve protects vital watersheds, glacial meltwater sources, and native camelid habitats within the shadows of Ecuador's tallest peaks, offering a detailed look at high-altitude conservation and volcanic terrain.
- Area
- 526.83 km²
- Established
- 1987
- IUCN
- IV
- Relief
- Mountain
MoriAtlas Explorer
Continue Exploring Cotopaxi National Park's Mapped Terrain and Geographic Identity
Delve deeper into the specific mapped terrain and protected landscape features of Cotopaxi National Park. Understanding its geographic context within Cotopaxi Province allows for a more detailed appreciation of its role in Ecuador's natural atlas. Discover the structured geographic information that reveals the park's unique environmental setting and mapped boundaries.
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