Vilcabamba (Ecuador)

- 4.2558333333333 - 79.218888888889Koordinaten: 4 ° 15 ' S, 79 ° 13' W

Vilcabamba is a village in the Ecuadorian province of Loja. It is situated at 1,600 meters above sea level and has a year-round mild climate in the temperature range 18-28 ° C. From October to May is the rainy season, from June to September dry season. Vilcabamba has about 4200 inhabitants.

The term comes from the Quechua Vilcabamba, meaning " Sacred Valley " ( Vilca = " holy", bamba = " valley "). The modern village was founded on September 1, 1756 by Luis Fernando de la Vega.

High life expectancy

Vilcabamba is known for a supposedly high life expectancy of its inhabitants, it is also called the Valley of the Hundred Years. Although this in scientific studies (see Section Scientific Investigation ) is doubted, lead some scientists the phenomenon to a negative ionic charge of the air back, others on the mineral composition of the water. The climate and the diet and the constant movement of the residents are considered to be possible reasons. Esoteric suspected, the "heart of the earth" located in this place.

Some people in Vilcabamba were allegedly despite Alkoholkonsumss at full health 120 years and then died without serious illness of a quick, natural death. This meant that the valley is marketed under the name touristic valley of longevity, the main street of Vilcabamba is called Avenida de la Eterna Juventud ( Spanish, Avenue of Eternal Youth ).

Scientific investigation

One of Richard Mazess and Sylvia Forman 1979 study concluded that in Vilcabamba present an average life expectancy. They identified a systematically carried out by the older villagers exaggeration of their age as a cause of the alleged longevity. By comparing various documents and a self- conducted data collection have shown that the example Miguel Carpio residents have indicated the age of 61 years, he was 70th Five years later, he said he was 80, at the age of 87 he claimed to be 121. In another study, the Mazess 1982 led by Ralph Mathisen, this result was confirmed. The researchers on mortality tables, which showed that the average life expectancy of the US-born in the 1930s is comparable persons.

Nature in the region of Vilcabamba

In 1999 set up in the region of Vilcabamba forest reserve Las Palmas is a flora with various trees, orchids, over 180 species of birds and waterfalls and lakes. Due to the different altitudes are 5 climate zones in the region.

Tourism

In Vilcabamba an extensive tourism offer has emerged in recent years, touting that both the longevity as well as with nature.

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