Vilcabamba, Ecuador

Vilcabamba is a village in the southern region of Ecuador, in the Loja province. Located in a historical and scenic valley, it is a common destination for tourists, because it is widely believed that its inhabitants grow to a very old age. It is not uncommon to see a person reach 100 years of age and it is claimed that many have gotten to 120, even up to 135, which would make it an area with the oldest inhabitants in the world. It is often called the valley of longevity.

Related Topics:
Ecuador - Loja

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The reasons for this apparent longevity are not very clear. Some claim that the inhabitants have a tendancy to exaggerate their age, and this is difficult to verify because of the lack of a proper birth certificates. Others suggest that the climate in the region, or the mineral content of its drinking water is particularly healthy and explains the advanced age of its inhabitants.

Related Topics:
Longevity - Birth certificate - Mineral

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