El Altar, which the natives call Capac-Urcu ( king mountain
),
has a summit composed of eight snow-clad peaks,
the highest of which extends to 17,730 feet above sea level.
Altar has not been active since the discovery of America.
It is composed primarily of basaltic material.
Located at the western side of Sangay National Park,
approximately 170 km south of Quito.
The airmail stamp shown below was issued in 1946
The two stamps below, courtesy Lisa Heiman, depict further
airmail and official airmail versions
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