Bordering a portion of South America’s Pacific Rim to the west, and Colombia and Peru to the North and South, the Republic of Ecuador is one of the best kept archeological and ecological secrets of the Latin world.

Slightly smaller than Nevada, the country is a wealth of geographic treasures; its outlying areas change from tropical turquoise coastlines on the west to jaw-dropping emerald valleys of the Amazon basin to the east, including the towering Andes Mountains, which reign over hidden valleys of exotic wildlife.

To protect certain species of flora and fauna from extinction, areas of the country have been designated as ecological reserves. One of the most well-known for bird-watching in Ecuador is Mindo. Most reserves are surrounded by small towns, where local guides whose families have lived in the area for centuries are more than willing to give comprehensive historical tours to those with eager ears.

While not heavily populated, the Andes of Ecuador are home to some of the oldest ancient pre-Columbian ruins in Latin America. Many of the ruins are located near the capital city of Quito, one of the highest capitals in the world, which was also thought to be the center of sun worship in the pre-Columbian world. Stone temples attest to the pagan ancestral past, and during the times of the equinox and solstice, festivals honoring the sun are observed there.

As revealed by its name, Ecuador, meaning “equator” in Spanish, is known for its central positioning on the equator. Referred to as the “Mitad del Mundo” or the center of the world, it is situated precisely on the 0’ 0’ 0’ latitude point. A tall monument marks the reunion of the Northern and Southern hemispheres, and a precise line runs through the small town established there, alerting visitors to the division of the two hemispheres. Often, visitors to the “City of the Middle of the World” receive a thrill by visiting a nearby museum that gives them a hands-on approach to understanding the scientific effects of standing at the center of the world. One such scientific demonstration shows how an egg can be perfectly balanced due to the equal gravitational pull at the center of the world.

Active volcanoes also populate the center of the country, including its tallest peak, Mount Chimborazo, with a height of 20,561 feet. The tallest active volcano in the world, Cotopaxi, which reaches a height of about 19,000 feet, is also located here.

In addition, Ecuador is home to the Galapagos Islands, a chain of over 20 islands located approximately 600 miles off its western coast in the Pacific Ocean. The islands were thought to be the inspiration for Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution in 1835; however, there is little information given on the islands themselves to explain his thought patterns. Nevertheless, the islands are home to several rare species, including the Galapagos finch, the flightless cormorant, the Galapagos iguana, and various penguins and seals endemic to the area. It is also home to some of the oldest living creatures in the world—the giant tortoises—which live an average of 150 years or more.

Not only is Ecuador noted for its extensive ecological resources, it is highly regarded for the beautiful handmade crafts designed by its people. On any given city street or country roadway, eager natives are ready to sell hand-stitched sweaters and wall hangings made from alpaca or llama wool.

Although it is helpful to know Spanish while visiting, or Quechua (the language spoken by the native Amerindian people), Ecuadorians are more than willing to communicate with visitors to help make their experience as enjoyable as possible.

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