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Published: 03-02-2023
As one of the most stunning and biodiverse countries in the world, Ecuador has plenty to offer; beyond its culture and rich history. Here are some of the interesting and fun facts about Ecuador that are worth knowing before you visit.
Mega Diverse Ecuador
Ecuador was the first country to recognize the rights of nature
The country recognized that you know, nature has a right to grow and flourish. It also recognized the right of actual humans to petition or protest on nature’s behalf. And it also highlighted the responsibility of the government to step in to protect nature. This occurred in 2008.
Ecuador formed part of The Inca Empire
Another one of those well-known Ecuador facts. Though centered in Cusco, with their home base mainly in Peru, the Inca Empire stretched long. Ecuador was one of those places. It became part of the Inca Empire in 1463, but the area’s indigenous people didn’t submit without a fight. The tribes here were already reasonably developed and weren’t interested in outsiders ruling them. Cue years of fighting.
Ecuador is found on the equator
Another one of those fun facts about Ecuador that most people know. It’s a pretty obvious fact about Ecuador, but yeah – in case you didn’t know, the equator practically splits the country in two. Its official name is “Republica del Ecuador” – the Republic of the Equator.
Mitad del Mundo
Ecuador Is More Biodiverse Per Square Kilometer Than Any Other Nation
This is a cool, fun fact about Ecuador. There are so many species represented here. It’s one of the world’s 17 most biodiverse countries, though it tops the world for the density of its biodiversity. We’re talking tens of thousands of bird species alone (15% of the world’s bird species)! There are many endemic species here, too; the Galapagos alone has 38, but there are also 106 reptiles and 138 amphibians endemic to Ecuador.
Quito is one of the highest capital cities in the world.
At 9,350 feet above sea level, it’s pretty high. Not only is it the Ecuadorian capital, but it’s also the nation’s largest. The highest capital in the world is La Paz. But what Quito has that La Paz doesn’t is another distinction: being the closest capital city to the equator.
Mount Chimborazo Is The Tallest Mountain In Ecuador
Its summit is 20,560 feet above sea level. But because of the planet’s shape (not a sphere but an oblate spheroid) and being basically on the widest part of the Earth – because of being on the equator and all – the summit of Chimborazo is the furthest you can possibly get from the center of the Earth. Now that is a wild fact about Ecuador.
Mount Chimborazo
Bananas are BIG in Ecuador!
Ecuador is bananas for exporting bananas, actually; it’s the world’s highest exporter of bananas. Chances are the banana you’re eating right now is from Ecuador. It might not be, but it also has a high probability of being from the Republic of the Equador. Bananas account for 12.1% of the country’s exports.
40% Of Its Exports Consist Of Crude Oil
And Ecuador has a lot of it. Oil is a significant part of the nation’s economy; they produce 520,000 barrels a day. A lot of it goes to the USA. It was partly the actions and impact of the oil industry that made Ecuador recognize the rights of nature
There is an Iguana Park in Ecuador!
For a weird little fact about Ecuador, we head to Parque Seminario in Guayaquil. Hundreds of iguanas have, for some reason, made this park home. They wander around, sunbathe, and watch people watching them. It’s not a zoo; it’s an actual city park. There are vendors selling lettuce you can feed to the iguanas. Of course, this park is also known as Parque de las Iguanas.
Iguana Park, Guayaquil
Ecuador Has A National Fruit
It’s called the guanabana, and it’s a spiky, green, sour fruit called a “soursop” in English. But being a firmly tropical country, and with all that volcanic soil, Ecuador is pretty well situated to grow a whole load of tasty fruit. There are avocados, mangos, plums, pitahaya (like a dragon fruit but yellow), mora (like a blackberry), and more known and unknown fruits besides.
Panama Hats Originate In Ecuador
Fun fact about Ecuador: those straw hats are widely known as “Panama hats” aren’t from Panama at all; they’re from Ecuador, and they’re less commonly, known as “Ecuadorian hats.”
The art of weaving one out of toquilla palm has been recognized by UNESCO. Why the confusion? Roosevelt was pictured wearing one when he went to see the progress of the Panama Canal, so there you go.
Making a Panama Hat
The First Female President Was Ecuadorian
This is two histories wrapped in one. Although not voted into office by election, Rosalie Arteaga made history by being the first-ever female president. It was, however, short-lived as her term lasted two days. After the election of Abdala Bucaram in 1996, she was installed as Vice-president.
Border Conflict With Peru
Peru and Ecuador had continuous clashes for decades as they couldn’t settle where the border between the two countries was to be drawn. The first major fight broke out in 1941, and the Rio Protocol ended it. Another fight broke out 40 years later in 1981; before the final one broke out 14 years later in 1995. In 1999 the conflict ended, and there was finally a demarcation.
Houses Some Of The Best Colonial Architecture In The Americas
Ecuador’s architecture has seen a lot of influence for decades, especially in the larger cities. In the center of the capital city, Quito, is “The Old Town .”
This is one of the first Ecuador sites protected by UNESCO, along with the Galapagos. It was built in the 16th century, and it made the ruins of an Incan City its foundation.
Colonial Ecuador
Named After a Geographic Feature
That said, it probably comes as no surprise that Ecuador means equator in Spanish. Since the equator runs through it; therefore, it is named after the equator. The official name Republica del Ecuador means ”The Republic of the Equator .”It is the only country named after a geographical feature.
Galapagos Islands
The Galapagos Islands belong to Ecuador. These amazing Islands are part of this small beautiful Andean nation. The islands are located a little over 1000 kilometers off the coast of Ecuador.
The Ecuadorian Government designated a surprising 98% of the islands as National Parks in 1959.
Ecuador has about 1,638 species of birds.
Interestingly that is a whopping 15% of all known bird species worldwide. In the world, Ecuador has the highest count of bird species per square feet/meter.
Hummingbird in Mindo
Ecuador Distinct Regions
There are 4 distinct regions in Ecuador. The Amazon, The Coasts, The Mountains, and The Galapagos Islands. One interesting fact about Ecuador is that all its regions have distinct cultures. Their food and clothes can also vary. In fact, in certain Ecuadorian regions, they speak different languages. Though most of their cultural heritage depends on the materials they have available. Also, the way the community determines to use them defines their culture.
Ecuador is The World’s Orchid Capital
There are 4,250 species of orchid in Ecuador. Of all those species, 1,301 are endemic. This makes Ecuador the country with the most species of orchid in the world.
Orchid in Mindo
Houses Seven Of The World’s Mega Volcanos
That’s accurate; like Yellowstone National Park, Ecuador’s Chalupas Volcano has an immense caldera spread about 16km throughout the Cotopaxi National Park.
Yasuní National Park in the Ecuadorian Amazon is the most biodiverse area on the planet.
It is considered a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO and has an impressive wealth of amphibians, birds, mammals and plants.
Yasuni National Park
Ecuador Maintains a Scientific Research Station in Antarctica
The Antarctic Treaty was made between 12 scientifically active countries in Antarctica in 1958. It has continued to grow, and the treaty now protects 54 countries. Ecuador is one of them and the country maintains its own scientific research facility in Antarctica.
The Galapagos Islands Have Over 9,000 Different Species
With its collection of 20 islands and islets, the Galapagos Islands is definitely Ecuador’s main attraction. It is one of the most unique destinations in the world with more than 9,000 species.
Sea Lions on Galapagos Beach
Darwin Formulated the Theory of Evolution in the Galapagos Islands
Charles Darwin spent 5 weeks at the Galapagos Islands during his voyage on the HMS Beagle. There, Darwin observed the flora and fauna and noticed differences in local birds’ beaks depending on their environment and the food that they consumed. Darwin used these findings as a basis for his theory of evolution he presented in On the Origin of the Species.
Ecuador Has the World’s Biggest Tortoise
The Galápagos tortoise is a signature animal in the Galapagos Islands and the biggest living species of tortoise in the world. The Galápagos tortoise weighs more than 900 lbs (408 kilos) and grows up to 5 ft (1.5 m) tall.
Galapagos Tortoise
The Andean Condor Is the National Animal of Ecuador
Ecuador’s national bird, the Andean condor, belongs to the vulture family and has been the country’s national animal since 1958. It has an average weight of 15.4 lbs (7 kilos) and a wingspan of 10 ft (3 m). They’re the largest flying bird and definitely a sight to see. If you go to the Andes, look out for this magnificent bird.
Snow Seldom Falls in Ecuador
Since the winters in Ecuador are colder than people expect, it does snow there on occasion. Even though it’s not common for it to snow in Ecuador, the snowy peaks of Chimborazo are the exception which are covered in snow throughout the year.
