The Secrets of Ecuador

Ecuador is a small country at the top left hand side of South America. Most people don't give it much thought, but Ecuador holds a Pandora's Box of cool, unique, amazing things. From the ancient Inca's to the present day, it has a lot to offer. The name Ecuador means Equator. The Equator is an invisible line that goes all the way around the Earth at its middle. It separates the North and South Hemisphere. Strange things occur here because of that. Due to the Earths rotation the North and South Hemisphere are at gravitational opposites. When Your in Ecuador and you walk down the painted stripe on the ground that represents the Equator, you will find it hard to walk and keep your balance. You are being pulled in two different directions. In the United States when you drain a sink or a bath tub, the water will spin as it goes down the drain. In the Northern Hemisphere water spins counterclockwise. In the Southern Hemisphere water spins clockwise. This is called the Coriolis Effect. Thus, the hurricane vs. the typhoon.

The Galapagos Islands as well as the Amazon Rain Forest are both part of Ecuador. Compared to the United States by size - Ecuador is 283,561 square foot. The United States is 9,833,517 square foot. Ecuador is 3,368 % smaller than the U.S. Yet it is one of the most biodiverse places on all the Earth. It has 8% of all amphibian species on the planet as well as 5% of the reptilian, 8% of the mammals, and 16% of the bird species. That is very amazing for a place that is 0.2% of the Earth Surface.

Since Ecuador has 16% of the Earths Birds species, many bird watchers go there every year. It is the only place you can see 132 different species of humming birds. Ecuador has the perfect climate for all the bio life it has. Ecuador sits on a bulge in the Earth right on the Equator. Its also has a tropical climate. The perfect place for these birds to thrive. If you go to Ecuador to see the birds, you will never get bored.

When your in Ecuador you can take tours to visit the many volcanos it has. Here are just a few to give you a peek. Looking at the picture from top to bottom and left to right, they are....

1.) Antisana Volcano & Mica Lagoon. It is 5,704 m = 18,714 ft. Its is a conical stratovolcano landslide scarp. These types of volcanos are known for explosive eruptions. They are the tallest, forming by lava flows cooling fast and building up the high, skinny peak shaped caldron. This is an active volcano. There is an Antisana tour. There are many striking lagoons with wolves, wild horses, condors, and Llamas.

2.) Cayambe Volcano. It sits right on the equator at 4,690 m = 15,387 ft. The only one in the world that sits half in the North and half in the South Hemisphere. It is the only snow capped volcano that sits right on the equator. This too is a conical stratovolcano landslide scarp. This is an active volcano.

3.) Cotopaxi Volcano. The iconic stratovolcano. At 5,897 m = 19.347 ft. It is covered in snow and you can go horseback riding , hiking, mountain climbing, mountain biking, camping, bird watching, wildlife and sight seeing.

4.) Sierra Negra in Isabella Island. It is 4,580 m = 15,030 ft. Its caldera is structurally complex. It is 14 kilometers, about 1,000 meters. 0.621 miles. Last erupting in 2016, it is very active. It is part of the Galapagos and you can hike and explore thermal vents.

5.) Tungurahua Volcano. 5,023 m = 16,480 ft. The name means, "Throat of Fire '. You can only catch sight of this one. It is still active. A Stratovolcano

6.) Chimborazo Volcano.6,268 m = 20,564 ft. This giant is actually two volcanos. Since Ecuador sits on the equator where the Earth has a natural bulge, the top of Chimborazo is the farthest place on the planet from the center of the Earth. It is also closest to outer space. It is potentially active.

7.) Guagua Pichincha Volcano. 4,784 m = 15,696 ft. This volcano sits right next to Quito, the capitol of Ecuador. It is the most active volcano. You don't need a tour to see this one.

8.) Alcedo Volcano. 1,130 m = 3,707 ft. This is a very small volcano compared to the others. It is coalescing shield volcano. When it erupts it can spew Rhyolite and Basaltic lava. These types of volcanos have broad sloping sides that spread out like a fan. It's last eruption was 1993. Home is the Galapagos. It is home to the largest number of wild turtles of all the Galapagos Islands.

9.) Reventador Volcano. 3,562 m = 11,433 ft. This is one of Ecuadors most active volcanos. Since the year 1541 it has erupted 25 times. Thank goodness this one is isolated. Far off in the Andes mountains in Ecuadors Reventador National Park. Because of its isolation, many eruptuons go unreported.

10.) Sangay Volcano. 5,286 m = 17,343 ft. A UNESCO World Heritage site. It has an unusual amount different ecosystems. Its western flank is a flat plain of volcanic ash that has been forged into 1,970 ft deep gorges by heavy rainfall.

11.) Imbabura Volcano. 4,630 m = 15,190 ft. Ecuadorian legend says that Imbabura fell in love with mama Cotacachi mountain. Their love formed the Yanahurco mountain along with Yaguarcocha and the San Pablo lagoons .

Do you like Bananas ? Ecuador supplies the United States with 1,730.32 Million Pounds. They are a main foot staple in Ecuador. As far back as recorded bananas are very important here. The Ancient Incas ate them as well as the not too distant head shrinkers of Ecuador. Better known as head shrinkers of the Amazon. There are still shops in Ecuador that display these shrunken heads. Don.t worry, that practice is long gone.

The End

By- Deborah Zbieronek