Ecuador. Fauna of the Galapagos Islands
25 new tree species discovered in Ecuador
Ecuadorian scientists have discovered 25 new tree species. The discoveries are the result of 15 years of research in one of the world's most biodiverse areas, the Yasuni National Park in eastern Ecuador.
"This is a very rare, extraordinary case when, within the framework of one study in one forest, scientists discover so many new species of trees," said Renato Valencia, a specialist at the Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador.
One of the until recently unknown species is A nnona cupria. "This is an elegant plant with soft, cork-like bark covered with a network of cracks, reaching a height of 20 meters," said Valencia.
In total, according to the scientist, on a plot of 0.5 sq. km, which he studied in Yasuni Park, "more than 1200 species of trees and shrubs grow." "This is the most biodiverse land on the planet," Valencia explained, adding by comparison that "there are fewer different types trees than on these 50 hectares. "An amazing discovery for scientists is that" such a number of different trees manage to coexist in close proximity, and none of the species becomes dominant, crowding out the others. About 1 thousand trees also live in the park. animal species.
The ultimate goal of the work is to study the dynamics life cycle trees of this Amazonian region based on the study of a randomly selected section of the forest. Under the control of scientists are 340 thousand trees, each of which is assigned a number. At least once every 5 years, each plant is examined: its diameter and height are measured, changes in the structure are analyzed. Based on these data, scientists can calculate how many carbon dioxide absorb Amazonian trees, which is of interest for studying the influence of the "green lungs of the planet" on climatic processes.
Located on the northwest coast South America. It borders Colombia to the north and Peru to the east and south. In the west it is washed by the waters of the Pacific Ocean.
The name of the country comes from the Spanish ecuador, which means "territory on both sides of the equator".
Official name: Republic of Ecuador
Capital: Quito
The area of the land: 283.6 thousand sq. km. (including the Galapagos Islands - 7.8 thousand sq. km)
Total population: 14.8 million people
Administrative division: The state is divided into 22 provinces.
Form of government: Republic.
Head of State: The president.
Composition of the population: 65% mestizos, 25% Amerindians, 7% Spaniards, 3% Africans.
Official language: Spanish. Many locals continue to speak Indian dialects of Quechua, Jibaro, Kofai Aushiri, Canelo and Saparo.
Religion: 89% - Catholics, 11% - Protestants.
Internet domain: .ec
Mains voltage: ~110 V, 60 Hz
Phone country code: +593
Country barcode: 786
Climate
The climate is equatorial and mountain-equatorial, in the south - subequatorial. The overall picture of the country's natural and climatic conditions is extremely heterogeneous - in fact, here you can observe a huge variety of microclimatic zones associated with the features of the local relief - even neighboring sections of the valley can radically differ from each other in weather due to different topography.
To characteristic features The local climate also includes a rapid change in the local weather during the day, which is associated with different heating of the mountain slopes under the influence of the sun's rays, which change their azimuth during the day. Ecuadorians even say "we have four seasons in one day". With a certain degree of conventionality, two seasons can be distinguished in Ecuador - humid hot and dry cool.
Average monthly temperatures in summer in Quito range from +18 to +25 C, in winter - from -3 to +13 C. Precipitation is about 600 mm. per year, with a noticeable decrease in levels between August and February. The central plains are famous for their rather uniform climate - all year round it is from +17 to +24 C, precipitation is no more than 300 mm, mainly in the off-season and in autumn.
In the southern part of the Costa, summer temperatures fluctuate around +23 C, winter - about +19 C. At the same time, no more than 200 mm of rain falls per year. In Oriente, the average annual temperature is + 30-35 C, while there is a huge amount of precipitation - from 5000 mm on the eastern slopes of the Andes to 4500 in the flat areas (July and August are the wettest months, from September to December the amount of precipitation decreases markedly).
Geography
Ecuador is located in South America. The equator passes 24 km north of the country's capital Quito, hence it got its name. The area of Ecuador is more than 280 thousand square meters. km. It is bordered by the Pacific Ocean to the west, Colombia to the north, and Peru to the east and south. The western coastal part of Ecuador is occupied by lowlands, in the central part there is mountainous area Sierra with high Andes.
The Andes consist of two ridges, elongated meridionally, between which there is an intermountain basin. As part of mountain ranges- about 20 active volcanoes. The highest point in Ecuador is the Chimborazo volcano (6310 m), which is considered extinct. Also known are the volcanoes Pichincha (near the capital of the country - Quito), Kayambe (5790 m), Ilinisa and the destructive Cotopaxi (5897 m) and Sangay. The most active volcano is Sumaco (3732 m) in the north of the eastern Andes.
In Ecuador, earthquakes are not uncommon, which are most dangerous for mountain villages. In the east of the country stretches the Amazonian selva, which is called the Oriente. Ecuador also owns the Galapagos Islands, which are located at a distance of 1000 km from the Pacific coast and consist of more than 100 islands.
Flora and fauna
Vegetable world
Now most of the western slopes of the Andes are occupied by plantations of bananas, palm trees and cocoa. Closer to the deserts of Peru, xerophytic vegetation begins with cacti and crotons, and the palo de balsa tree grows here with the lightest wood from which Thor Heyerdahl's Kon Tiki raft was built. In the high Andes, paramos grows - herbaceous plants such as espeletia or fraillechon, they can reach a height of 6 meters. Tropical forests grow in the Amazon rainforest.
Typical inhabitants of paramos - mountain tapir, small deer (northern pudu), spectacled bear. In addition, large animals such as the jaguar, puma, wild cat, monkeys, and smaller animals - weasel, otter, skunk, raccoon, tayra, grison, kinkajou and coati.
Of the birds, tanagers, all kinds of parrots, toucans and hummingbirds can be distinguished, pigeons and woodpeckers are also found. The world of reptiles is diverse - frogs, toads, turtles, crocodiles, lizards and snakes.
But the most interesting animal and vegetable world in the Galapagos Islands. Under conditions of isolation, the most incredible species of animals have been preserved here - ground finches, marine iguana (a giant reptile more than a meter long), terrestrial iguana, more than 15 species of turtles. The coastal waters of the Galapagos Islands are home to dolphins and whales, the Galapagos fur seal and, most amazingly, penguins!
Attractions
Ecuador, which means "equator" in Spanish, lies on both sides of this imaginary line on the globe. One of the most unusual countries continent, on the territory of which there is a colossal Andean mountain system with a huge number of dormant and active volcanoes, exotic Amazonia with its diverse natural world and unique tribes, an extended sea coast and dozens of mountain
resorts,
Ecuador is considered one of the the best places South America for active recreation. At the same time, the country's historical heritage is also very diverse, which makes it an excellent holiday destination for connoisseurs of cultural tourism.
- Galapagos Islands
- Volcano road
- Cotopaxi
- Cuenca
- Sangay
- Chimborazo
Banks and currency
The national currency of the country is the US dollar (US$), equal to 100 cents (centavos). In circulation there are banknotes of $100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1, as well as coins of $1, 50, 25, 10, 5 and 1 cent. Also in circulation is a banknote of $2 and a coin of $1, but you can meet them in circulation less and less.
Everywhere, except for banks, one can encounter difficulties with paying with banknotes of large ($100 and $50) denominations, regardless of the year of issue and series.
Banks are open from Monday to Friday from 09.00 to 13.30 and from 14.30 to 18.30. Some banks are open on Saturdays from 09.30 to 14.00. But after 13.30 work with private clients is usually not conducted. Exchange offices "casa de cambio" are usually open from Monday to Friday from 09.00 to 18.00, on Saturdays - from 09.00 to 12.00.
Foreign currency can be exchanged at the airport, banks and exchange offices (however, the number of the latter is decreasing due to the transition of the country's monetary system to the American currency). It is rather difficult to change foreign currencies other than US dollars in some inland provinces, especially in Oriente. Typically, banks and "casa de cambio" charge a commission of 1-4% for an exchange operation.
Credit cards of the world's leading payment systems are widely accepted in tourist areas and in large hotels, although they often charge an additional tax (from 6% to 8%) for their service, and cheaper establishments simply do not accept them for payment (even if there is a sign on the door work with them).
Traveler's checks can be cashed at most banks big cities, and most often only checks in US dollars are accepted. A notable inconvenience of using checks here is the lengthy procedure for verifying their authenticity - American Express checks usually take up to 24 hours to cash, while checks from lesser-known companies are sometimes verified up to a week).
Useful information for tourists
The relative cheapness of food and a fairly rapidly developing market for tourism services make Ecuador an attractive country for tourism.
The country has the most favorable conditions for a trip to the jungle. In the Oriente National Park, two nature reserves and eight protected areas, hiking trails and parking lots are equipped. On one of the tributaries of the Amazon, the Napo River, you can make an unforgettable journey in a real Indian pie or on a ship.
No vaccinations are required to enter the country. However, if you plan to hike in the Amazon jungle, a yellow fever vaccination is recommended. Some areas of Ecuador are located at high altitudes, and visiting them can adversely affect the health of travelers suffering from cardiovascular diseases.
It is customary for waiters to tip about 10% of the total amount of the order (unless, of course, the service charge has already been included in the bill). You should not leave money on the table - so they are unlikely to reach the person who served you.
Bargaining is quite appropriate in souvenir shops and craft markets.
Terrain relief.
The central part of Ecuador is occupied by a mountainous region - the Sierra; three mountain ranges (cordillera) are distinguished in it, stretching from north to south parallel to each other, and intermountain depressions more than 60 km wide in places, located between the western and central ridges. To the west of the Western Cordillera is the Costa - the Pacific coast. To the east of the Eastern Cordillera are the foothill plains of the Oriente, belonging to the basin of the upper Amazon.
The Sierra mountain ranges reach their greatest height in the north, where 12 peaks exceed 4900 m above sea level; in the southern part, the highest peak rises to 4820 m. Many peaks are volcanic cones. The highest volcanoes are Chimborazo (6310 m), Cotopaxi (5897 m) and Cayambe (5790 m). Earthquakes pose a serious threat to mountain villages. The narrow plateau lying between the Eastern and Central Cordillera is covered with a thick layer of lava and ash - products of volcanic eruptions. Mountain spurs and volcanic ridges divide the plateau into separate depressions, the bottoms of which are located at altitudes of approximately 2100 to 3000 m. From north to south, the following depressions stand out, bearing the names of the cities located in them: Tulcan (partially entering the territory of Colombia), Ibarra, Quito , Latacunga, Riobamba, Alausi, Cuenca, Ona, Loja and Zamora.
Between the western foothills of the mountains and the ocean coast from the border with 
Colombia to the border of Peru stretches a strip of plains and hilly foothills. The valley of the Guayas River, stretching in the meridional direction at the foot of the Andes, is separated from the coast by a zone of hilly relief with elevations up to 600 m.
Oriente.
This region, covering about half of the country, includes the eastern foothills of the Sierra and the flat or rolling plains to the east. Most of it is covered by tropical rainforests. The Oriente is drained by numerous rivers flowing into the Amazon.
Climate and flora.
In the coastal zone to the north and west of Guayaquil, as well as in the Oriente region, a humid tropical climate prevails with daily temperatures in the range of 21-29 ° C. In these zones, a tropical rainforest is developed, in some places interspersed with swampy grasslands along the banks of slowly flowing rivers. In Guayaquil, the average annual temperature is 25°C, mainly from January to May. The rest of the months are very dry. Vegetation cover is 
tall-grass savannah with isolated palm trees, and coastal lagoons are occupied by dense thickets of mangrove trees and shrubs. South of Guayaquil, the coastal climate is semi-arid and arid. Thorny thickets and isolated groups of low deciduous trees and shrubs are gradually replaced by giant cacti and other desert plants.
A sharp latitudinal climate change is due to the fact that moist sea winds and low temperatures prevail in the north of the country. Atmosphere pressure, and in the south is the zone high pressure leading to dry air. The cold Peruvian Current (Humboldt Current), washing southern part Ecuador, explains the frequent appearance of fogs here, a small amount of precipitation, low clouds and unusually cool temperatures for these latitudes. All these factors determined the formation of the coastal desert here.
The interior of the Andes is usually cool, and it's easy to freeze in Quito. Average annual temperature here it is 13°C, and at night the thermometer often shows 17°C below the daily maximum. From September to May, daily downpours brought by winds from the Amazon provide the bulk of the city's annual rainfall. The climate of this part of the country, in principle, corresponds to a dense forest of a temperate type, however, widespread loose soils developed on volcanic ash quickly absorb moisture, reducing its availability for plants. In addition, the lands here were cultivated and used for grazing even before they were conquered by the Incas in the 15th century. As a result, a significant part of the country's territory at altitudes of 2300-3500 m above sea level. now covered with low, dense shrubs and tough grasses, with patches of forest remaining only in hard-to-reach places. Above 3500 m above sea level the vegetation is sparse: the upper parts of the basins, together with the slopes surrounding them, are occupied only by turf grasses and resinous shrubs. With height, they give way to bare rocks and eternal snow, starting at 4550 m above sea level.
Due to the diversity of climate and vegetation, the fauna of Ecuador is extremely heterogeneous. to large mammals 
include the jaguar, puma, wild cat, bear and several species of monkeys. Among the smaller forms, weasel, otter, skunk, raccoon, as well as exotic tayra, grison, kinkajou and coati deserve mention. Of particular interest are bloodsucking vampire bat, sloth, anteater and armadillo. The most diverse group- birds: these are exotic tanagers, parrots, toucans and hummingbirds, and doves and woodpeckers familiar to us, and many other species. In addition, many birds from North America. There is also a wide variety of reptiles: frogs, toads, turtles, crocodiles, lizards and snakes - especially in the lower, warm part of the Andean elephants and on the coastal lowlands.
GALAPAGOS ISLANDS
The Galapagos Islands are an archipelago of 19 islands located in the Pacific 
ocean. It strikes the imagination with pristine nature, which everyone can touch. Only here the volcanic landscape is presented in all its slightly frightening and at the same time bewitching beauty. Most of the animals living on the islands are not found anywhere else, and some live only on individual islands of the archipelago. All islands are different natural conditions and species composition of flora and fauna. The Living Museum of Evolution offers the opportunity to observe wildlife. Despite active volcanoes and harsh terrain, the animals have adapted well to the local landscape and climate.
LAKE QUILOTOA
Lake Quilotoa is often called the emerald eye of the Andes because of the unusual color of the water. it 
due to the high content of carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide in it. Sometimes, due to an excess of these components, the lake seems to boil, and yellow silt rises to its surface from the bottom, diluting the emerald surface with new bright shades. Because of a large number impurities, the water in the lake is dead, you can’t drink it, you can’t swim in it, but nothing prevents you from admiring it from the outside.
In fact, Quilotoa is not only a lake, but also a volcano, in the crater of which it is located. The last time it erupted was in the 13th century, but traces of that event in the form of ash and solidified lava in the vicinity can still be found today.
LAKE CUICOCHA
Lake Kuikocha, located at an altitude of about 3200 m, is of volcanic origin. Once upon a time at this point 
planet was a volcano, the most powerful eruption of which was recorded more than 3000 years ago. As a result, the surroundings were covered with a layer of ash about 20 cm thick, which turned them into fertile lands, and the volcano itself crumbled inward, and in its place formed beautiful lake. By the way, the islands in its center are fragments of a volcano dome.
The diameter of Lake Kuikocha is about 3 km, the depth is 200 m. The water in it is alkaline, so there is practically no life here. By high mountain standards, Kuikocha is quite warm - the water temperature reaches +16 °C. This is due to the fact that the volcano is still active and heats the water like a stove. Sometimes small bubbles appear on the surface of the water - this is an ancient volcano that reminds of itself with gas emissions.
VOLCANO CHIMBORAZO
The height of mountains can be measured different ways: above sea level, from the bottom to the top and even from the center of the Earth to 
highest point. The record holders for each method of measurement will be different, and in the latter case, the Ecuadorian volcano Chimborazo (6310 m) will win the palm. It is located almost on the equator itself, and since the Earth is slightly flattened from the poles, its radius is maximum in the region of the zero parallel. It is no coincidence that before the beginning of the nineteenth century. Chimborazo was considered the greatest peak on the planet. The volcano is very ancient: according to scientists, its last eruption was in the 1st millennium BC. e. Since then, he has not been active, so he has long been listed as extinct. The top of Chimborazo is covered with glaciers all year round.
SAN RAPHAEL WATERFALL
The beauty of nature, the magic of height and the power of the water stream - all this harmoniously combined in the San Rafael waterfall, making it one of the most striking natural attractions of Ecuador. The waters of the Napo River fall here in two cascades from a height of 150 m, forming a cloud of spray, illuminated by a bright rainbow. Dense tropical forests inhabited by exotic birds grow around the waterfall, which form a worthy setting for this natural diamond.
VOLCANO REVENTADOR
Volcano Reventador (3562 m) constantly reminds researchers and residents of Ecuador, 
who constantly feel its activity. It is manifested either by the eruption of ash and steam clubs, or by fiery flashes above the crater, or by explosions and the rumble of magma waving inside the volcano. Despite such formidable danger warnings and incessant demonstrations of a tough temper, the volcano attracts many climbers. It usually takes two days to conquer this wayward mountain.
Reventador is one of the most active among the 50 volcanoes of Ecuador, it has been erupting for several centuries, but the peak of its activity was in the 20th century. But even in the new millennium, he is in no hurry to retire. So, in 2002, after almost 30 years of silence, Reventador threw out a column of ash 17 km high. This spectacular sight was perfectly visible from Quito, the capital of Ecuador, although it is separated from the volcano by almost 100 km. Millions of tons of ash erupted by Reventador covered the surrounding area with a thick layer of volcanic dust.
VOLCANO COTOPAHI
Cotopaxi seen from various parts countries, but appreciate the captivating beauty 
its cone-shaped peak and stunning size can only be found nearby, in the national park named after him. The volcano is covered with a glacial tablecloth, from under which treeless areas descend, which have become home to wild horses, llamas and other South American animals. Everyone who finds themselves in the park plans to stay here to meet the dawn, because nothing can compare with climbing the volcano in the early morning, when you can truly enjoy the contours of the glacier and the beauty of the surrounding plain.
VOLCANIC LAKES OF MOHANDA
Walking through the green, squared farmlands that filled the steep mountainsides surrounding 
the city of Otavalo, is an ideal solution for those who like to combine physical exercise with the contemplation of landscapes. Rare travelers will meet here with the main natural treasure - the magnificent volcanic lakes of Mohanda. The beaten paved road leading to the reserve ends at the very lakes, opening stunning views of the emerald water surface of three reservoirs. The exquisite beauty of the lakes is set off by the pale green grass of the hills and the majestic volcano Fuya Fuya.
Directions
Ecuador - Republic of Ecuador(Ecuador, Spanish República del Ecuador, Quechua Ikwadur Republika)
State in northwestern South America. The name of the country in Spanish means "equator". Ecuador is bordered by the Pacific Ocean to the west, Colombia to the north, and Peru to the east and south. Ecuador includes the Galapagos Islands. Ecuador is known for its volcanoes, among which is the highest active volcano in the world - Cotopaxi, mangrove and tropical forests, but the main attraction of the country is, of course, the Galapagos Islands. Once here, Charles Darwin conducted his invaluable research for science. Now everyone can visit this unique archipelago, where the most unimaginable species of plants and animals have been preserved in isolation.The main types of tourism in the country -excursions, ecotourism, beach holidays, diving.
general information
Location, territory and landscape
Ecuador is located in South America. 24 km north of the country's capital Quito passes the equator, hence it got its name. Square Ecuador - more than 280 thousand sq. m. km. It is bordered by the Pacific Ocean to the west, Colombia to the north, and Colombia to the east and south. Peru.
Territory country is 283,560 km².
Western coastal area Ecuador occupy the lowlands, in the central part is the Sierra mountain region with the high Andes.The Andes consist of two ridges, elongated meridionally, between which there is an intermountain basin. The mountain ranges include about 20 active volcanoes. Highest point Ecuador - Chimborazo volcano (6310 m), which is considered extinct. Pichincha volcanoes are also known (near the capital of the country - Quito ), Cayambe (5790m), Ilinisa and the destructive Cotopaxi (5897m) and Sangay. The most active volcano is Sumaco (3732 m) in the north of the eastern Andes.
Population: over 15 million 440 thousand people.
Capital: Quito (Spanish) San Francisco de Quito, population 1.8 million people) .
Largest cities: Quito, Guayaquil.
Languages: Spanish, as well as Indian languages (mainly Quechua).
Religion: the majority of the believing population are Catholics (98%), about 1% are Protestants, and many Indians profess ancient religion Incas and animistic cults.
Timezone: UTC-5.
Telephone code: +593.
Currency: U.S. dollar , their change coins; Ecuadorian sucre (before 2000). Rate 1.00 USD ≅ 1023.49 KRW, 1.00 EUR ≅ 1392.98 KRW.
Credit cards of payment systems: Visa, MasterCard, American Express.
Climate and average temperature
In the plains and in the northern part of the Pacific coast, equatorial climate. Daytime temperatures throughout the year do not fall below 28 degrees Celsius. The hottest time is from December to May, when it is around +31 degrees during the day. At the same time, the main amount of precipitation falls - monthly about 200-250 mm. In the east of the country in the Oriente region, the climate is hotter and more humid. During the day, the air warms up to + 38 degrees, and it rains almost all year round, the annual rainfall is 4500 mm.
In Ecuador, altitudinal zonality is clearly expressed. High in the mountains, it rains quite often and fog forms, up to 1500 mm of precipitation falls here a year. It is cool and damp here, especially from September to May. For example, in Quito during the day the air warms up to +18 degrees, and at night the temperature drops to 9 degrees. In the south of the Pacific coast and in the region of the Galapagos Islands, the cold Peruvian current passes, which reduces the amount of precipitation. On the border with Peru, the annual rainfall is 75 mm. The Galápagos Islands are cool and dry from May to December, with about 10 mm of rain every month.
Flora and fauna
Typical inhabitants of paramos - small deer (northern pudu), mountain tapir, spectacled bear. Also on the territory of Ecuador live such large animals as the jaguar, puma, wild cat, monkeys, and smaller animals - weasel, otter, skunk, raccoon, tayra, grison, kinkajou and coati. Of the birds, tanagers, all kinds of parrots, toucans and hummingbirds should be distinguished, pigeons and woodpeckers are also found. The world of reptiles is very diverse - toads, frogs, turtles, crocodiles, lizards and snakes. But the most interesting flora and fauna in the Galapagos Islands. Under conditions of isolation, the most incredible species of animals have been preserved here - ground finches, marine iguana (a giant reptile more than a meter long), terrestrial iguana, more than 15 species of turtles. The coastal waters of the Galapagos Islands are home to dolphins and whales, the Galapagos fur seal and, most amazingly, penguins!
How to get there
The most convenient flight option is KLM flights with a connection in Amsterdam. Its duration is about 17 hours (excluding docking). In addition, Iberia and Lufthansa fly to Ecuador with connections in Madrid and Frankfurt, respectively. Local companies also operate flights between major cities in Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands.
Best time to visit
Travel on tropical forests best from late August to February, when the roads are not washed out, favorable conditions for recreation on the coast are observed from April to December.
Popular tourist sites
Quito -the capital of the country, which should be visited first. The city was founded by Indians in the 10th century. In 1534, Quito was rebuilt by the Spaniards, so the spirit of the colonial era also reigns here. its name translates as "village in the mountains", because the city is located on the slopes of the Pichincha volcano.
There are many historical sights here, and the entire old part of the city has been declared a World Cultural Heritage Site by UNESCO. In the area of the main squares of Quito - Independence Square, Santo Domingo and San Francisco - it is worth looking at the 17th century Cathedral, the oldest monastery in the country - San Francisco, the churches of San Agustin, La Compagna and Santo Domingo, the Presidential Palace with a changing guard and climb the hill of El Panecillo, which means "little bun" in Spanish, where the statue of the Virgin Mary of China rises.
24 km north of Quito through the town of Mitta del Mundo (literally - "middle of the world") passes equator line and, in fact, the yellow line stretches along the entire city. In the center of Mitta del Mundo, a monument was erected, crowned with a globe weighing 5 tons. Inside the monument is a local history museum.
Guayaquil -the main port of the country and the economic capital of Ecuador. The city was founded in 1535 at the mouth of the Guayas River. The main attraction of the city is the wide Malecon promenade, which is surrounded by a complex of botanical gardens with fountains, as well as the Parc Bolívar square with the Cathedral. In the northeast of Guayaquil there is a historical park, which is divided into 3 zones - the "forest" zone, the "coast" zone and the "urban architecture" zone.
Cuenca -the third largest and most populous city in Ecuador, founded in 1557. It is a colonial town with small houses and cobbled streets. The most interesting in terms of architecture are the Old Cathedral and the New Cathedral, built in neo-Gothic style. Tourists often come here to go to the Inca fortress of Ingapirca, which is located 50 km from Cuenca. From the ancient settlement now there are only the ruins of stone buildings in the shape of a trapezoid, among which the main temple of the Incas - the Temple of the Sun.
South of Quito stretches the so-called "Volcano Avenue". This is a network of mountain peaks, among which 9 of the 10 highest in the country. Among these peaks are the Pan-American Highway and the Ibarra-San Lorenzo narrow-gauge railway, which offer a wide variety of landscapes.
There are about 20 National Parks and Reserves in Ecuador, which occupy about 16% of the territory. The most popular and best known - National park in the Galapagos Islands . It is here that you can see a variety of natural world, ancient volcanoes and the most incredible animals. Most of the territory of the islands is under protection, so you must strictly follow the instructions of the guide. You will be able to climb volcanoes, go scuba diving, look closely at such animals and birds as sea lions, seals, marine iguanas, giant tortoises, pelicans and penguins.
The largest of the islands, Santa Cruz, is considered the most interesting in terms of biodiversity. To maintain the cleanliness and beauty of the islands, a fee is charged from tourists visiting the Galapagos Islands. Among the National Parks located on the mainland, Sangai is interesting, which is listed world heritage UNESCO, Pasochoa Forest Reserve, Podocarpus Park, Cuyabeno Park with a network of lakes and marshes inhabited by pink freshwater dolphins, water turtles, black caiman, anaconda, manatee and otters.
Ecuador, despite numerous rumors about high level crime in this South American republic is perhaps one of most interesting countries for the traveler. To begin with, it is worth mentioning that just 25 kilometers from its capital called Quito, there is a latitude of 0 degrees, 0 minutes and 0 seconds.
To visit Ecuador and get a special certificate about this trip to the equator, which is issued by a special agency - already significant event. The country, which includes the legendary and unique Galapagos Islands, is considered one of the most contrasting in the world.
Monastery of San Francisco
Here, along with the richest people the beggars side by side, who beg on every corner, here you can “enjoy” the heat from the tropical sun, and almost immediately visit the realm of constant and severe cold on the peaks of the majestic Andean mountains.
If speak about geographical location Ecuador, then this republic, headed by the president, can be divided into three zones: the eastern one, which is often called the Amazonian selva, mountainous, with the highest Andes and lowland. It was this distribution of zones that made Ecuador the country with the most contrasting climate in the world. Volcanoes often erupt here powerful earthquakes, taking away, alas, at times, thousands of lives. But be that as it may, the South American republic, which occupies almost 276,000 square kilometers from the entire area of \u200b\u200bthe mainland, is the dream of any traveler who wants to get acquainted with the sights and culture of Ecuador, which, by the way, deserves special attention.
Fortress Ingapirka
Long story
To accurately describe the history of Ecuador, you probably have to create a huge book that describes all its ups, downs and military coups. Too tidbit "piece" of South America was considered a relatively small area where you could make good money on fishing and timber extraction.
In order not to tire the reader with all the details of the country's history, one should dwell only on the main thing. The modern territory of Ecuador was previously inhabited only by scattered tribes of Indians. Their main occupations were fishing, hunting and farming. One of the Kitu tribes was distinguished by militancy, and at the end of the 1st century AD, it captured almost the whole of Ecuador and with particular cruelty destroyed other tribes that could not unite against despotism. Ecuador in those distant times began to be referred to only as the "kingdom of Kitu." However, in the 15th century, the more advanced Incas supplanted Kita and became the ruling caste. It is worth noting that most of the Incas who waged war for Ecuador for 15 years belonged to the Quechua tribe, whose language is still widely used in the state today.
Volcano Cotopaxi
As many history buffs know, the 15th-16th century was the heyday of Spain. Numerous discoveries, conquests of the countries of South America and Africa - all this was done for the benefit of the Spanish crown. Ecuador did not escape the capture by the Spaniards. The discoverers of this country have been looking for the coveted gold and silver on its territory for a long time, but it was not there. The only thing left for the Spaniards was to develop animal husbandry and timber production, and black slaves brought from Africa were used as free labor in Ecuador. After numerous revolutions and uprisings, only in 1810 did Ecuador gain independence.. However, the riots and unrest did not subside. In 1941, the country decided to get involved in a war with Peru, it claimed territory, the area of \u200b\u200bwhich exceeded that of modern Ecuador. Naturally, Peru, having a more modern for that period of time military equipment and a well-trained army, pacified the "restless" and militant neighbors.
The last attempted military coup took place at the end of September 2010. Talking about the history of Ecuador, we can safely say that this is not only a country with the most contrasting climate, but also the most contrasting, so to speak, views of the population on the external and internal politics countries.
Galapagos Islands
Flora and fauna of Ecuador
As mentioned above, Ecuador is divided into three climatic zones, he owns an archipelago of 100 small and 17 large islands. It is interesting that all these islands are significantly removed from the mainland of the country: the nearest of them is located 1000 (!) Kilometers from the coast. Naturally, the republic is famous throughout the world for the richness of flora and fauna. Many of the representatives of the animal world of Ecuador are endemic, you will not find them anywhere else in any of the corners of our blue planet. What are the Galapagos Islands, which are one of the most interesting places for zoologists and ornithologists around the world. In Ecuador today there are more than 1350 species of birds, more than 120 species of hummingbirds alone can be found here. Spectacled bear, fur seals, land turtles, striking in their size, whales, dolphins are just a small part of the fauna that this restless, but at the same time amazing and beautiful country can rightfully be proud of. You can talk about the Galapagos Islands indefinitely, what a tourist sees there will surely remain in his memory for life, but this, as one of the leading popular domestic programs likes to say: "A completely different, and no less interesting story."
Basilica del Voto Nacional
Modern Ecuador
The largest and noteworthy cities of Ecuador include Riobamba, Cuenca, Ambato and, of course, its capital, Quito. In 2010, the population of the Republic of Ecuador was almost 15,000,000 people. Nowadays, tourism has become the main income of Ecuador. Numerous stories about a high level of crime do not scare away tourists who want to see one of the most contrasting places on the planet and get in touch with amazing nature. In fairness, it should be noted that crime in Ecuador is no higher than, for example, in Brazil. A traveler who has arrived in the capital or in any other city of Ecuador should simply listen to the advice of the guide and not appear in " dangerous places to indulge in dubious entertainment. Often, such a walk ends in failure: the guest of the country returns to the hotel with an empty wallet. However, in last years In the republic, active work is being carried out on the judiciary, the parliament has issued a bill that provides for the prohibition of gambling in Ecuador. All this suggests that in the very near future the number of dishonest citizens who want to illegally profit from tourist money will become much less. And, by the way, about money: the local currency sucre is constantly devaluing, so American dollars circulate freely in the country, which will be gladly accepted in any store or hotel.
Lake in the crater of the Cucocha volcano
Many travel agencies, offering tours to Ecuador to their clients, warn travelers in advance not to give alms in the cities: if you shed a tear and give some "crippled" a dollar, it will be simply impossible to fight off the impoverished inhabitants of the country. The thing is that many people in Ecuador are the so-called voluntary beggars. They will not work even if they are offered good wages and decent jobs. It is much easier to stand by the road and beg for alms from wealthy tourists. Many of our compatriots living in Ecuador argue that this way of life is in the blood of the inhabitants of this picturesque country. The passion for easy money is transmitted with “mother's milk”, which is why there are so many beggars in the republic, and not at all because there are not enough jobs there. Very often, tuna fishing companies experience a shortage of labor, and this despite the fact that crowds of beggars simply attack the highways and hotel neighborhoods.
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