Discover Ecuador – A wonderful land in the Pacific

You have to look far in our world to be able to find a country where there are so many different options for visitors as with Ecuador. But what seems even more incredible is that such a variety of landscapes, with forests, rivers, beaches, mountains, moorland, islands, volcanoes, and with the richest biodiversity on the planet, is given in an area of small size, barely 250,000 km2 (less than half of Spain).

Photography by Jo Simon

Activities:

Ecuador, the small country where nature has proved eventful, also has a rich historical past, and people have left an indelible mark highlighting Inca ruins and colonial cities of high interest. If this framework we add geographical and historical fans of the adventure tourism and ecotourism have at their disposal ascents to the Andean peaks, trekking through deserts and mountains, rafting on rivers that descend from the volcano into the jungle, dive into the rich Pacific waters, hiking through the jungle, living programs with primitive tribes, birdwatching, horseback riding on the moor and many other activities. This compendium of activities makes Ecuador a place where the attractions are everywhere.

Full stop is the Galapagos Islands, also Ecuador. These islands, which shot to fame after his visit to Charles Darwin, and which subsequently inspired to develop his theory of evolution, are a special case. The whole island is the paradigm of nature in its purest form. Only your visit deserves a trip to Ecuador.

Geographical position:

To better locate: Ecuador is located in northwestern South America. Colombia is bordered to the north, south and east by Peru and the Pacific Ocean marks the western boundary. The country is divided into four very different geographical areas between them. East, the mountains, the coast and the Galapagos Islands.

The East is the territory west of the Andes, is occupied by forest and forms part of the Amazon River basin. The Sierra is the central region of Ecuador, is formed by two branches of the Andes and runs north to south. The valley between ridges is called the Avenue of the Volcanoes and is home to some of the major cities of Quito, Ambato, Cuenca and Latacunga. La Costa is the plain that lies between the Andes and the Pacific Ocean, there are landmarks such as Guayaquil, Puerto Lopez and Esmeraldas. The Galapagos Islands are currently in the Pacific Ocean a thousand miles from the mainland are of volcanic origin.

Photography by eutrophication&hypoxia

Climate:

The geographical peculiarities identifies four types of weather. Warm and dry on the coast, with occasional periods of heavy rain. East climate characterized by hot and very humid. In the lowlands of the Sierra was given a warm environment while in the Andean highlands is cold. In the mountains there are areas of perpetual snow. The fact that the country is located in Ecuador has hardly causes thermal deference throughout the year. However, due to the altitude in the Andes there is a high thermal gradient on the same day.

Places to visit in Ecuador:

List all the things to see in Ecuador is impossible in a post like this, but rather subjective way are some of the points I consider most interesting, and we are aware that many to mention: The footprint of the Incas, with Ingapirca as the most representative ruins. Quito, whose historic center is a World Heritage Site of Unesco, with its palaces and religious buildings include the cathedral and the churches of St. Francis, St. Augustine, St. Dominic, the Company and the sanctuary of Guápulo. The museums of the Culture House are a must, especially the sections on pre-Columbian period. The Museum of Oswaldo Guayasamín Foundation showcases the artist’s private collection Ecuadorian international. 25 km. northeast of the city is the Equator. Besides visiting the anthropological museum, you can feel the strange sensation of having one foot in the northern hemisphere and the other in the south.

Photography by jrubinic

Cities of Ecuador:

Guayaquil, the country’s most populous city, has enough attractions and its fine museums, the neighborhood of Penas, Cerro Santa Ana and the Malecon 2000, which dignify the riverfront, as well as very interesting religious buildings. In the city of Cuenca (World Heritage), the Spanish past is present in every corner of which is considered the most beautiful city in the country. Among the places of interest include the two Cathedrals, the Tabernacle and the New (Old). The houses in the neighborhood of Barranco resemble the typical terraced houses of Cuenca in Spain. Cajas National Park is located 19 km. It is a set consisting of 232 lakes lake situated between high mountains. Ambato, known as «Garden of Ecuador» or «City of Fruits and Flowers». Populated by friendly people and many museums and parks to visit. A 44 km. is the town of Banos, famous for its spas, adventure sports center and one of the gateways to the jungles of the East.

Protected areas:

The Galapagos Islands are Ecuador star destination. The way to visit the islands is on a cruise. Charles Darwin was able to develop his theory of evolution by having contemplated the differences between birds, iguanas and turtles that inhabit each island.

National Parks East, occupy much of the Amazon basin, which is the most biodiverse place is known. Various protected areas as Cuyabeno, Yasuni or Sangay will allow more rare look at the trees and wildlife out of the ordinary. Here tribes still survive in a primitive state.

To cite as an attraction to finish the Indian markets. Once a week, many villages in the Sierra held its market. These fairs are full of life and color. The best are those of Otavalo, Pujilí, and Saquisilí Zumbahua.

There is much more to discover in Ecuador!