Loja

Known across Ecuador as the country's "musical capital" and "cultural capital," Loja is a southern highland city founded in 1548, threaded by three rivers and set in Andean terrain. Its centre holds a dense concentration of historic churches alongside a lively café and restaurant scene, and the surrounding hills offer scenic viewpoints over the valley. The wider region sits near several UNESCO World Heritage sites.

• Population274,112
• Nearest water0.2 km
• Nearest mountain8.5 km
• UNESCO within 50 km3