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.
Pan-American Highway (South America)
Quito is Ecuador's capital and second largest city (after Guayaquil). It is located in the Guayllabamba river basin on the eastern slopes of the Pichincha (), an active stratovolcano in the Andes. It is the world's second highest () capital city, behind La Paz, Bolivia. Its 2001 population was 1,399,378 (census data). Points of interest include "Museo del Banco Central" (Museum of the Central Bank) and several parks, including "Parque Metropolitano" (Metropolitan Park), La Carolina, El Ejido, and La Alameda. Parque Metropolitano, with its is the largest urban park in South America and is larger than New York City's Central Park.