Ecuador Facts: 10 Fascinating Things You Didn't Know
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Loading... - Ivanka Dimova
- 01 Aug 2022
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1. Ecuador means “equator” in Spanish.
It may not surprise you to find out that the country is called this is because the equator runs through it. The official name of the country is ‘República del Ecuador’ (Republic of the Equator). In fact, Ecuador is the only country in the world named after a geographical feature.
Just outside Quito there is a famous monument named the Mitad del Mundo (middle of the world) to mark the equatorial line. In fact, the monument is actually about 240 meters from the actual equator, but it’s still a nice visit. There is a museum there and a few market-style shops and restaurants to wander about. It is also possible to climb the monument and take in the views of Ecuador from above. An interactive museum to mark the “real” equator is just down the road. (Although the equator is actually 5 kilometers wide; both museums are on the equator, only one of them is in the center of it.)
2. Yasuni Park is one of the most bio-diverse places on the planet.
This protected Ecuadorian National Park and Biosphere Reserve are located deep in the heart of Ecuador’s Amazon. It is one of the most bio-diverse places on the planet, home to species that are completely unique to the lands. Ecuador has more tree, amphibian, and bat species in only 100km than anywhere else in the world.
As well as the hundreds of tree species, amphibians, reptiles, and small animals, (such as Pocket Monkeys or Jaguarundi-small lions found only in the Americas) there are also much larger animals, like the Green Anaconda (factually Ecuador has the largest snake in the world) and big cats, such as the jaguar to be found.
There is also a huge amount of crude oil in the park. This remains untapped due to a pledge made in 2007 by the President at the time, Rafael Correa. The pledge promised to protect the park and its resources.
3. The Galapagos Islands inspired the Theory of Evolution.
The Galapagos Islands are famous thanks to Charles Darwin and his Theory of Evolution. The theory is centered around the finches of the islands. Darwin examined the way that the same species of bird had evolved differently on the 21 different islands of the Galapagos. It is a fact of Ecuador that Darwin’s research put them ‘on the map’.
The islands themselves are a remote area found six hundred miles off the coast of Ecuador. Teaming with rare and unique wildlife, as much as 20% of the creatures are exclusive to the islands. The wealth of this pristine site makes the Galapagos Islands one of the most fascinating places on earth. Ecuador is a must-visit for all nature lovers and adventure seekers alike.
4. Chocolate has a long history in Ecuador.
Cacao has been grown in South and Central America for centuries and has long been a staple of Ecuador’s national and cultural heritage, often used for its anti-inflammatory properties and other medical benefits. Research shows that chocolate has been consumed here for nearly 5,000 years. Recent studies have indicated that Ecuador might even be the original source of cacao.
As the demand for high-quality chocolate has increased, so has the in-country production. Today, Ecuador is recognized as the producer of the highest quality cacao in the world. It is also one of the largest exporters, producing as much as 80% of fine cacao beans. Despite this, Ecuadorian people eat only 300-800 grams of the stuff on average per year, whereas countries like Germany consume 9 kilos per person every year.
5. Ecuador is where to find orchid flowers.
Ecuador is known as the orchid capital of the world. It has over 4,000 species of these beautiful plants. With over 25,000 species of the plant worldwide, the orchid is the most varied of them all. It also boasts some of the greatest levels of diversity within the species ranges. Some of the varieties flower for half a year, and some for mere hours. Some of the flowers can even live up to 100 years old. No wonder they’re the worlds most popular houseplant! You can find these plants in Cuenca! Read More...
