Yantzaza

Yantzaza is a town in the Zamora Chinchipe province of Ecuador. It is the seat of the Yantzaza Canton.General InformationYantzaza, with 10,528 people, is the second highest populated city of the province. It is also the province's principal economic and commercial center. It is located 42 kilometers (about 23 miles) from the city Zamora and is near the Zamora River's bank, on the famous Yantzaza Valley or Valley of Fireflies (Spanish: Valle de Yantzaza o Valle de las Luciérnagas). The origin of its name comes from the word yanzatza in Shuar which means "valley of the fireflies," due to the constant presence of fireflies in the area. In the outskirts and surroundings of the city there is an intense form of stock breeding and an extensive strip mining system which supplies the local and national markets.Major Tourist AttractionsOne of the more common tourist attractions for local inhabitants as well as foreign visitors is the recent discovery of marine shell fossils in the major avenue of the city, Avenue Iván Riofrío. Additionally, the Central Park, which consists of plants and the native flower shrubs, is considered one of the most beautiful parks in the province.The most prominent building of the city is the brand-new Illustrious City Hall of Yantzaza (Spanish: Ilustre Municipalidad de Yantzaza). There are other private buildings, which are the tallest in the city.