town, east-central Ecuador. It lies along an affluent of the Pastaza River near the eastern slopes of the Andes Mountains. It is a missionary settlement and an important trading centre in the Oriente region (the forested lowland jungle east of the Andes). The town's economy is based on local trade with the surrounding Quechua population, who have gained substantial territorial rights since 1990. Puyo serves as a crossroads for tours to the jungle and forest reserves. Products include sugarcane and cassava (manioc). Pop. (2001) 24,432.