Nowhere in Latin America means as much to me as Ecuador; I almost lived there instead of moving to Japan. Every time I think about it, I remember the Andean markets packed with corn varieties I’d never seen before and the amazing smell of cacao drying in the sun. Ecuador has cities lined with perfectly preserved colonial buildings, rainforests where trees move and a mountain that technically beats Everest to the closest point to space. Key Facts About Ecuador Details Population 18,289,896 Official Language Spanish Currency United States Dollar Capital Quito Main Religion Roman Catholicism Location South America Here’s a list of fun facts about Ecuador that will get you as excited to travel to Ecuador as I am.
14 Fun Facts About Ecuador Ecuador is named for the equator Ecuador is one small country with four distinct regions Ecuador has five UNESCO World Heritage Sites Quito is the highest official capital city in the world Ecuador granted constitutional rights to nature Ecuador is a bird lover’s paradise: nature lovers unite Ecuador has trees that move The Galapagos Islands inspired Charles Darwin Guinea pigs make fur-midable friends or snack-size meals The Panama hat is actually from Ecuador Try a chiva, a party bus on wheels Mount Chimborazo is (kind of) taller than Mount Everest which means Ecuador is the closest country to outer space Ecuador has 10% of the planet’s plant species, 8% of its animal species, and 18% of its bird species. Ecuador is one of the world’s largest producers of corn, cacao, rose, banana and orchids
1. Ecuador is named for the equator Ok, I know it might be obvious, but no list of Ecuador facts is complete without noting that Ecuador’s formal name is República del Ecuador, which means “The Republic of the Equator.” This makes it not the only country to be named after a geographical feature, but one of just a handful. There is a tourist attraction at Ciudad Mitad del Mundo (Middle of the World City) where you can straddle the Southern Hemisphere and Northern Hemisphere. Psst – It’s actually a ten minute walk away from the real equator. Explore teen travel in the Wild Galápagos of Ecuador 2. Ecuador is one small country with four distinct regions Ecuador is home to four distinct regions: the Mountains (La Sierra), the Coast (La Costa), the Amazon (El Oriente), and the famous Galapagos Islands which are a World Heritage Site. Each region has its own traditional culture, clothing, language and food, particularly in rural indigenous communities. Traditional coastal food is coconut and fish-based, while mountain food is traditionally guinea pig and corn based. Nowadays most Ecuadorians speak Spanish.
3. Ecuador has five UNESCO World Heritage Sites Ecuador has the following UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the Galapagos Islands, City of Quito, Sangay National Park, Santa Ana de los Ríos de Cuenca, and Qhapaq Ñan, the Andean Road System which also runs through Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia and Peru. 4. Quito is the highest official capital city in the world Ecuador was created in 1830. It is one of three countries created after the fall of Gran Colombia. The others were Venezuela and New Granada, as well as portions of modern Peru, Guyana and Brazil. Ecuador is one of two countries in South America that does not border Brazil. Chile is the other. Quito, Ecuador’s capital, is 2850 meters above sea level, making it the highest capital city in the world. Guayaquil on the coast is Ecuador’s biggest city. Quito, Ecuador 5. Ecuador granted constitutional rights to nature In 2008, Ecuador became the first country to grant constitutional rights to nature. Article 71 of the constitution grants nature the right to “exist, persist, maintain and regenerate its vital cycles, structure, functions and processes in evolution.” This means that nature has the right to exist without human interference. Ecuador’s decision sets an example for protecting the planet and advocating for nature’s rights. 6. Ecuador is a bird lover’s paradise: nature lovers unite The country’s diverse ecosystems and national parks, including the Amazon rainforest, the Andes mountains, and the stunning Galapagos Islands, contribute to its exceptional biodiversity. Exploring the Galapagos Islands is like stepping into a documentary where you can see rare and unique wildlife, witness the wonders of evolution up close. The national tree of Ecuador is the cinchona tree which produces quinine, the first drug used to prevent and treat malaria. Ecuador has more birds per square kilometer than anywhere else in the world, with 1,632 different confirmed species and maybe up to 48 more possible species. Ecuador holds the world record for the number of hummingbird species, with an incredible 132 (out of 340) different types calling the country home. Santa Cruz is home to many of the diverse birds of the Galapagos Islands. Ecuador is home to Yasuní National Park, a protected Ecuadorian national park, considered one of the most biodiverse areas on the planet for its wealth of amphibians, birds, mammals, and plants. This park has some of the most animal species per square hectare and is located in the far east side of Ecuador. 7. Ecuador has trees that move One of the UNESCO protected sites, the Sumaco Biosphere Reserve has trees that can ‘walk’ 20 meters a year by sprouting new roots. 8. The Galapagos Islands inspired Charles Darwin The Galapagos tortoise is a key species on the Galapagos Islands and is the largest tortoise in the world. These tortoises can weigh over 900 lbs (408 kg) and reach up to 5 ft (1.5 m) in length. There are fifteen species of Galapagos tortoises, but sadly, four have gone extinct and many others are endangered. Darwin visited the Galapagos Islands in 1835 and observed variations in the same species, including birds and giant tortoises, across different islands. Charles Darwin developed his theory of natural selection, which he later detailed in his work “On the Origin of Species.” Students observing a tortoise in Ecuador. 9. Guinea pigs make fur-midable friends or snack-size meals Guinea pigs are called “cuy” in Spanish. In Ecuador, guinea pigs are both pets and food. Roasted or fried cuy is popular in the Andean region as the meat is tender and flavorful. Cuy is often eaten during special occasions and celebrations. 10. The Panama hat is actually from Ecuador The Panama hat, originally known as the “Sombrero de Montecristi,” is actually made in Ecuador. Montecristi, in the Manabi province, is where these hats are hand-woven by skilled weavers in their homes and workshops. In the late 1800s, these hats were shipped to Panama, where workers appreciated their lightweight and comfortable design, which suited the tropical climate. In 1906, Theodore Roosevelt wore one during his visit to the Panama Canal, leading to the hat becoming widely known as the Panama hat. 11. Try a chiva, a party bus on wheels Chivas are commuter buses that have been converted into party buses. Locals rent one for a special occasion (such as a birthday, public holiday, or just because!) and drive around town in them, dancing and drinking – the drink of choice usually being canelazo, a tasty Ecuadorian hot alcoholic drink. The best time to spot a chiva or two is on a Saturday evening when they power through the streets of Quito, one of the Unor Guayaquil (Ecuador’s biggest city). 12. Mount Chimborazo is (kind of) taller than Mount Everest which means Ecuador is the closest country to outer space Mount Chimborazo is Ecuador’s highest mountain. It is an inactive volcano 20,564 feet (6,268 meters), and the real space mountain. Because earth is not a perfect sphere, the equator bulges out at the middle, making the peak of the mountain the point on planet Earth furthest out into space. Take that Mount Everest. Mount Chimborazo in Ecuador 13. Ecuador has 10% of the planet’s plant species, 8% of its animal species, and 18% of its bird species. Ecuador has broad diversity within the species ranges. Ecuador has 10% of the planet’s plant species, 8% of its animal species, and 18% of its bird species. There are 360 unique species of mammals in Ecuador’s borders of which 130 are bat species. 14. Ecuador is one of the world’s largest producers of corn, cacao, rose, banana and orchids The official currency in Ecuador is the U.S. dollar, but the unofficial currency might be the fertility of the land, particularly in the Sierra region. Orchids Ecuador may be world’s best place to find orchid flowers, with many indigenous elements that make the flowers special. There are over 4,000 species available; some orchid varieties flower for half a year, some for mere hours, and some flowers can live up to 100 years old. Ecuador is known as the orchid capital of the world. Corn There are over 350 varieties of corn grown in Ecuador. Corn is eaten boiled, steamed, or as popcorn and used in many dishes such as mote pillo. Roses Roses are important to the country’s economy. Ecuadorian roses are famous for their vibrant colors, long stems, big blooms and pleasant fragrance. Ecuadorian rose growers have further innovated by injecting natural pigments into the stems, resulting in striking multi-colored petals. Ecuador’s optimal climate, fertile soil, and high altitudes create the ideal conditions for roses. Bananas While many equatorial countries grow bananas, Ecuador accounts for 25% of the world’s total banana exports. This is almost as much as each of the next three countries combined. Some of these Ecuador facts are bananas. Cacao and Chocolate Cacao has been grown in South and Central America for nearly 5000 years and is core to Ecuador’s national and cultural heritage. Cacao is used for anti-inflammatory properties and other medical benefits. The country has large scale in-country production and produces 80% of fine cacao beans globally. Ready to explore the amazing wildlife of Ecuador? Schedule a call for information on student travel and group travel programs in Ecuador.