The "Republic
of the Equator"
was one of three countries that emerged from the collapse of Gran Colombia
in 1830 (the others being Colombia and Venezuela). Between 1904 and 1942,
Ecuador lost territories in a series of conflicts with its neighbors. A
border war with Peru that flared in 1995 was resolved in1999. Ecuador lies
nestled in the Andes Mountains with Colombia to the north and Peru to the
south. It is on the Equator from which it derives its name. The jungles
of the Amazon basin lie inland to the east whilst the western coastline is
on the Pacific Ocean. The Galapagos Islands also belong to Ecuador. The
country is
split into three
main geographical regions - the eastern jungle, the central Andean
mountains and the western coastal zone
Ecuador has a lot of
fascinating indigenous cultures,
well preserved colonial architecture, otherworldly volcanic landscapes and
dense rainforest, it packs its perimeters with more points of interest
than many countries twice its size. From the beautiful capital Quito the
immense Amazonian jungle can be reached, as well as a snow swept ascent
of an active volcano, a sociable haggle with indigenous artesanos or a
welcome wallow on a tropical beach. And believe it or not, Ecuador is one
of the smallest countries in the Andes area.
The pride of Ecuador are, of course, the
Galapagos Islands.
The Galapagos Islands lie 600 miles due west of Ecuador in South America.Owned
by Ecuador since 1832, the far-flung islands are lauded as one of the
world's greatest natural history treasures, their unique diversity of
plant and animal life providing a living textbook for ecologists and
oglers alike. As the Garden of Eden of evolution,
the Galapagos Islands are magnificent. The Islands are underwater volcanic
formations that surface as an isolated paradise of flora and fauna. Where
else can you coexist with penguins, sea lions, iguanas and hundreds of
other exotic species?
The amazing collection of volcanic islands, islets and rocks straddles the
Equator and plays host to a unique and spectacular collection of wildlife.
These animals and birds remain largely unconcerned by the presence
of man and the ever increasing numbers of tourists. This creates a
brilliant opportunity to see wildlife up close.The
islands originally began forming about 4 million years ago and are still
being created today since this is one of the most active volcanic areas in
the world.The islands most celebrated visitor was perhaps
Charles Darwin, who arrived in 1835 as
the naturalist on board HMS Beagle, captained by Robert Fitzroy who was
engaged in producing accurate maps and charts of the region. Darwin's
reflections were later to form the inspiration for the theory of evolution
published in his major work On the Origin of
Species. However, the islands were first
discovered by Father Tomas Berlanga, the Bishop of Panama, when his ship
stalled and was carried accidentally to the Galapagos whilst en route to
Peru. The islands wildlife include the celebrated Giant Tortoises
that can live to well over a hundred years of age. The almost
prehistoric land and marine Iguana are abundant and share the beaches and
rocks with Sealions, Crabs and Penguins. Sea birds include the
Blue-Footed, Red-Footed and Masked Boobies as well as the Magnificent
Frigatebirds and many other spectacular species. While on land. the
spectacular Vermilion Flycatcher and the Yellow Warbler add lots of
colour.
The Amazon
jungle-rainforest is without a doubt natures greatest
achievement and it's great expanse contains more than 20% of the earth's
vascular plant species. There is also great opportunity to learn about new
cultures and their uses of the rainforestās medicinal plants. Here you can
find a monkey small enough to sit on your fingertip to the world's largest
snake, the anaconda.
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