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Where do most Quichua speakers live in Ecuador?
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Most Quichua speakers in Ecuador live in the Sierra (highlands). These highland populations are concentrated in several distinct districts, including:
- Areas north of Quito, specifically near Otavalo and Cayambe.
- The central highlands, extending from the vicinity of Latacunga through the Chimborazo province.
- Scattered areas around Cuenca in the south-central highlands and north of Loja.
Additionally, there is a population of lowland Quichua speakers who occupy much of the central Amazon lowlands. While Quichua is a dialect of Quechua, it is recognized as an official intercultural language in Ecuador alongside Spanish and Shuar.12