El Altar Postal Codes: 060503 | Penipe, Chimborazo

Key Facts

El Altar is a parish (parroquia) located within the Penipe Canton of Chimborazo Province in central Ecuador. Situated in the Andean highlands, this rural parish lies approximately 30 kilometers southeast of Riobamba, the provincial capital, and occupies a strategic position in the western foothills of the extinct El Altar volcano, from which it derives its name. Covering an area of roughly 85 square kilometers, El Altar is characterized by its dramatic mountainous terrain, with elevations ranging from 3,200 to 5,319 meters above sea level at the volcano's summit. The parish has an estimated population of around 2,500 residents, primarily engaged in agriculture, livestock farming, and increasingly in ecotourism due to its proximity to Sangay National Park. El Altar contains several small communities and hamlets scattered throughout its territory, with the parish seat serving as the administrative and social center. The region's climate varies significantly with altitude, transitioning from temperate valleys to páramo grasslands at higher elevations. For those seeking detailed postal code information and administrative data for the various settlements within El Altar parish, comprehensive resources are available through official Ecuadorian geographical databases.

Neighboring Regions

• Bilbao
• Matus
• Puela
• La Candelaria