Ecuador

Discover Ecuador Located in northwest South America, “Ecuador,” when translated to English, means “equator.” The equator passes through Ecuador as well as Colombia and Brazil in South America. Ecuador also includes the Geographic Diversity The diverse geography in the country ranges from sea level at the Pacific Ocean and climbs to an elevation of over 6,300 meters or 20,000 feet in the Andes. In fact, Ecuador boasts some of the tallest mountains in South America, and is home to 2 World Heritage Sites, 11 National Parks, 9 ecological reserves, 4 biological reserves, 31 active and dormant volcanoes, and 26 pristine beaches. Roughly the size of Colorado, Ecuador, which is the smallest country in South America, borders Colombia to the north and Peru to the south. The Andes Mountains forms the country’s spine. Cotopaxi, in the Andes, is the highest active volcano worldwide. Also part of Ecuador, the Galapagos Islands features unique species of birds, reptiles, and plants. La Costa In Ecuador, La Costa, which is the western coastal area, includes a broad coastal plain, rising to the foothills of the Andes on the east. Most of the world’s bananas are grown here. The Sierra The Sierra of Ecuador is a mountain region that spans about 27,500 square miles or takes up about one-fourth of the country. Despite being along the equator, the Sierra’s elevation gives the area a comfortable and temperate springtime climate. The capital of Quito is located here. Oriente Also called Amazonia,...

Searching for a few fun facts about Ecuador? When I traveled to Ecuador three years ago, it was an eye-opening experience. I arrived in Quito at night with no knowledge of the city or the country, for that matter. It would be a pleasant surprise as the charming city is the world’s first UNESCO Cultural Heritage City. There was so much to delve into! So many interesting Ecuador facts – the culture, the history, and the food! If you’re looking for some facts about Ecuador, you’ve come to the right place. Ecuador is a nation that needs to be seen and heard about. Here are some interesting Ecuador facts to learn about before visiting. Fun Ecuador Facts You’ll Love 1. Ecuador was the first country in the world to recognize the rights of nature One of the first Ecuador facts I want to mention is perhaps the most important one. The country recognized that you know, nature has a right to grow and flourish. It also recognized the right of actual humans to petition or protest on nature’s behalf. And it also highlighted the responsibility of the government to step in to protect nature. This occurred in 2008. 2. Ecuador was part of the Inca Empire Another one of those well-known Ecuador facts. It became part of the Inca Empire in 1463, but the area’s indigenous people didn’t submit without a fight. The tribes here were already reasonably developed and weren’t interested in outsiders ruling them. Cue years of fighting. 3. The Spanish captured the Incan Emperor in Ecuador That was in 15...

• • • • • Covering an area of 283,561 sq.km (109,484 sq mi), Ecuador is a country located in northwestern South America. Ecuador is divided into four geographic regions: the coastal lowlands and mountain area; the Central Andes Mountains and its two major chains (Cordillera Occidental in the West) and the (Cordillera Oriental in the east); the lower mountains that fade into rolling hills and lowlands of the east, and the territory of the Galapagos Islands - officially called the Archipielago de Colon - located about 1,000km to the west. The Andes includes over 20 peaks atleast 13,779 ft (4,200m) in height with most located in the Cordillera Occidental. The highest point in Ecuador is Mount Chimborazo, at 20,560ft (6,268m); while the lowest point is at the Pacific Ocean. In addition, there are over 30 peaks that are volcanic in nature, including many active ones. Located in the Andes Mountains, Cotopaxi is one of the world's highest active volcanoes. Most rivers in Ecuador rise in the upper elevations of the Andes, flowing east toward the Amazon River, or west into the Pacific Ocean. The most significant include the Babahoyo, Chira, Coca, Curaray, Daule, Esmeraldas, Guayas, Napo, Paztaza and the Putumayo, on its northeastern border with Colombia. Provinces of Ecuador Map Ecuador (officially, the Republic of Ecuador) is divided into 24 administrative provinces(provincias, singular - provincia). In alphabetical order, these provinces are: Azuay, Bolivar, Canar, Carchi, Chimbo...

Ecuador is a must-visit for anyone looking to get a huge dose of nature. You’ll find a fair chunk of the Amazon Rainforest, the amazing Andes and – of course – the Galapagos Islands. This is truly one of the most biodiverse countries on Earth! But it doesn’t come without its issues. South America’s reputation isn’t great in general. Plus, there’s drug trafficking, theft, the threat of seismic activity, and hell, there are even places you’re simply not allowed to go in Ecuador. All of this may have you asking yourself “ is Ecuador safe to visit?” And that’s where this guide is here to help. We’re going to get into everything you need to know to have a safe and exciting trip to Ecuador. So let’s dive right in! There is no such thing as a perfect safety guide, and this article is no different. The question of “Is Ecuador Safe?” will ALWAYS have a different answer depending on the parties involved. But this article is written for savvy travellers from the perspective of savvy travellers. The information present in this safety guide was accurate at the time of writing, however, the world is a changeable place, now more than ever. Between the pandemic, ever-worsening cultural division, and a click-hungry media, it can be hard to maintain what is truth and what is sensationalism. Here, you will find safety knowledge and advice for travelling Ecuador. It won’t be down to the wire cutting edge info on the most current events, but it is layered in the expertise of veteran travellers...