contact:
Ecuador, about
equal in area to Colorado, is in the northwest part of South America.
Because of its location on the equator and its varied terrain, Ecuador is
one of the most biodiverse areas in the world. In fact, more species of
birds can be found in one hectare of Ecuadorian rainforest than in all of
North America.
Plant life is also an important part of Ecuador's natural
resources and its economy. The country is the world's largest exporter of
bananas. Rich in history, Ecuador's capital, Quito, is one of the oldest in
the Western hemisphere. While very modern, Quito also retains much of its
historic character, with open markets, cobbled streets, and adobe houses.
Other important cities are Guayaquil, the largest city and port; and Cuenca,
the "city of rivers," a picturesque place in the Andes Mountains known for
its crafts and its cooler climate.
Ecuador is a land of geographical extremes, with the Andes mountain range with peaks rising almost 20,000 feet. Ecuador enjoys tremendous tourism and notoriety gained from the world famous Galápagos Islands which are approximately 660 miles (1000km) off the coast. It was the Galápagos Islands that inspired Charles Darwin to formulate his theory of evolution and led to the creation of the Galápagos Islands Trust for the preservation and conservation of the world most unique island.
The country is divided in 4 regions: Coast, Highland, Jungle, Galapagos. Some of the major Ecuadorian cities include its capital Quito as well as Cuenca, Manta, Portoviejo, and Santo Domingo.