Ambato, Ecuador
Ambato lies in the main valley of the Central Cordillera, the highest of the Andean mountain ranges. The city itself is carved into the side of Cerro Casigana, the mountain that dominates the north end of the city. From Ambato, it is possible to see many snow-capped volcanoes including Cotopaxi, Tungurahua, Carihuairazo, and the largest mountain in Ecuador, Chimborazo. Tungurahua lies about 40 kilometers to the southeast. The threat of eruption from the volcano is constant. On May 16, 2006, Tungurahua erupted, covering the city with a thick layer of ash.
Chongon Colonche Range
The Chongon Colonche Range (Spanish "Cordillera Chongon Colonche") is a mountain range on the central pacific coast of Ecuador, located in the provinces of Guayas and Manabi. The range peaks at 800 metres above sea level and together with the Mache Chindul Range is the only major mountain range west of the Andes. Much of the range remains clad in indigenous tropical wet forest, although large areas have been cleared for agriculture. The remaining forest contains high levels of biodiversity and the entire region has been classified as an "Important Bird Area" by Birdlife International.