Ecuador, despite numerous rumors about a high crime rate in this South American republic, is perhaps one of the most interesting countries for a traveler. To begin with, you just need to make a reservation that just 25 kilometers from its capital, Quito, is a latitude of 0 degrees, 0 minutes and 0 seconds.
Content:
List of attractions in Ecuador
Short description
To visit Ecuador and receive a special certificate of this journey to the equator, which is issued by a special agency, is already a significant event. The country, which includes the legendary and unique Galapagos Islands, is considered one of the most contrasting in the world.
Convent of san francisco
Here, along with the richest people, there are beggars who are begging for alms at every corner, here you can "enjoy" the heat from the tropical sun, and almost immediately visit the kingdom of constant and fierce cold on the peaks of the majestic Andean mountains.
If we talk about the geographical position of Ecuador, then this republic, headed by the president, can be divided into three zones: the eastern, which is often called the Amazon jungle, mountainous, with the highest Andes, and low. It is this distribution of zones that made Ecuador the country with the most contrasting climate in the world. Volcanoes often erupt here, powerful earthquakes occur, taking, alas, at times, thousands of lives. But, be that as it may, the South American republic, occupying almost 276,000 square kilometers from the entire area of the 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.
Ingapirka fortress
Long story
To reliably describe the history of Ecuador, you will probably have to create a huge book, which will describe all its ups, downs and military coups. Too tidy "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 Indian tribes. Their main occupations were fishing, hunting and farming. One of the Quitu tribes was distinguished by its belligerence, and at the end of the 1st century AD it captured almost all of Ecuador and, with particular cruelty, destroyed other tribes that could not unite against despotism. Ecuador in those distant times began to be called nothing else but "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 fought the 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 and 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 capture by the Spaniards. The discoverers of this country were 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 extraction, and black slaves brought from Africa were used as free labor in Ecuador. After numerous revolutions and uprisings, only in 1810 Ecuador gained independence... However, riots and riots did not subside. In 1941, the country decided to get involved in the war with Peru, it claimed a territory larger than the area of modern Ecuador. Naturally, Peru, possessing more modern military equipment at that time and a well-trained army, pacified its "restless" and belligerent 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 it is not only a country with the most contrasting climate, but also the most contrasting, if I may say so, views of the population on the country's foreign and domestic policy.
Galapagos Islands
Flora and fauna of Ecuador
As mentioned above, Ecuador is divided into three climatic zones, it 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 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 fauna of Ecuador are endemic, they will not be found in any other corner of our blue planet. That only are the Galapagos Islands, which are one of the most interesting places for zoologists and bird watchers around the world. In Ecuador today there are more than 1350 species of birds, only one hummingbird can be found here more than 120 species. Spectacled bear, fur seals, terrestrial turtles, striking in their size, whales, dolphins - only a small part of the fauna that this restless, but at the same time amazing and beautiful country can be proud of. You can talk about the Galapagos Islands for an infinitely long time, what a tourist sees there will surely remain in his memory for life, but this, as one of the leading domestic programs likes to say: "A completely different, and no less interesting story."
Basilica del Voto Nacional
Modern Ecuador
The largest and most noteworthy cities in Ecuador include Riobamba, Cuenca, Ambato and, of course, its capital, Quito. In 2010, the population of the Republic of Ecuador was almost 15 million people. In our time, tourism has become the main income of Ecuador.... Numerous stories about a high crime rate 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 all fairness, it should be noted that crime in Ecuador is no higher than, for example, in Brazil. A traveler who arrives in the capital or any other city of Ecuador should just listen to the advice of the guide and not appear in "dangerous places" in order to indulge in dubious entertainment. Often, such a walk ends in tears: a guest of the country returns to the hotel with an empty wallet. However, in recent years, the republic has been actively working 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 a tourist's money will become much less. And, by the way, about money: the local currency sucre is constantly devalued, so American dollars are freely circulating in the country, which will be gladly accepted in any store or hotel.
Lake in the crater of the Kuikocha volcano
Many travel agencies that offer their clients tours to Ecuador warn travelers in advance not to give alms in cities: if you just cry once and give some "cripple" 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 so-called voluntary beggars. They will not work even if they are offered good wages and a decent job. It is much easier to stand by the road and beg from wealthy tourists for alms. Many of our compatriots living in Ecuador claim that such a way of life is in the "blood" of the inhabitants of this picturesque country.The passion for easy money is passed on 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 are short of manpower, and this despite the fact that crowds of beggars are simply attacking the highways and surrounding hotels.
Iguana on the Galapagos Islands
All of the above may discourage a person who has never left his state before visiting Ecuador. However, having seen the country of contrasts for the first time, having learned about its culture, many travelers leave their hearts there forever and more than once return to latitude of 0 degrees, 0 minutes and 0 seconds. Indeed, at one time it is impossible to understand its culture and life, to find out how this amazing South American country lives, just as it will not be possible to enjoy the beauty and richness of the local flora and fauna.
