Los Bancos (canton)

Infobox Settlement
name = Los Bancos
official_name = San Miguel de los Bancos
settlement_type = Canton
named_for = Archangel Michael & Los Bancos
subdivision_type1 = Country
subdivision_type2 = Province
subdivision_name1 = Ecuador
subdivision_name2 = Pichincha
seat_type = Seat
seat = San Miguel de los Bancos
established_date = February 14, 1991
leader_title = Mayor
leader_name = Dr. Benigno Villagómez
elevation = 1100
unit_pref = imperical (metric)
area_total_km2 = 801
population_as_of = 2001 Census
population_total = 10717
timezone = ECT
utc_offset = -5

San Miguel de los Bancos, or simply Los Bancos, is a canton in the province of Pichincha, Ecuador. The long name of the town refers to dedication of the area to the archangel Michael. Local tradition attributes the "Los Bancos" part of the name to the use of tree trunks as benches at the junction of the through road from Quito to Esmeraldas with the road into the Rio Blanco valley.

Geography

The canton is in the Guayllabamba river basin, which, in turn, is part of the river basin of the Esmeraldas river, which flows into the Pacific Ocean. The climate of the canton is subtropical because of its mid-high altitude, as opposed to the climate of higher altitudes in the province between the Western and Central Cordilleras, which enclose the highlands of the Ecuadorian Andes.

Political Divisions

The canton is divided into two parishes: San Miguel de los Bancos & Mindo.

Economy

As with other cantons in the province of Pichincha, Los Bancos' economy is mainly agricultural, based especially on cattle-raising. Recently, there has been considerable growth in eco-tourism, most notably at Mindo.