Fauna of the Galapagos Islands. Ecuador. Flora and fauna. Indians of Amazonia Ecuador animal world

Basic moments

In Ecuador, you can comfortably relax on excellent beaches and be treated in hot springs. One of them the best resorts The country is considered to be Salinas, located on the ocean, 138 km west of the city of Guayaquil. The most favorable period for a beach holiday on the coast Pacific Ocean comes from January to April, when it gets hot and dry here. Ecuadorian beaches have a developed infrastructure and provide their guests with great opportunities for recreation and water sports - yachting and surfing.

Many tourists come to Ecuador to climb high volcanoes and to hike, kayak or jeep through the jungle. The most popular hiking spots start in the national park around the high Cotopaxi volcano, in the Las Cajas reserve and on the Chimborazo volcano. Jungle trails usually start from Quito, Dureno, Baños, Misahuali, Coca and Tena.

lovers scuba diving choose the coast of Ecuador for its excellent and varied diving conditions. Especially a lot of divers come to the Galapagos Islands. From June to September, large flocks of whales come to the dilapidated port of Puerto Lopez, which can be observed from the shore.

Cities of Ecuador

All cities in Ecuador

Sights of Ecuador

All sights of Ecuador

History of Ecuador

The first settlers on the site of modern Ecuador were Indian tribes who were engaged in hunting, fishing and farming. Archaeologists have found their sites dating back to the 10th century BC.

At the end of the 9th century AD, the Kara Indians invaded the mainland from the coast and formed the state of Kitu. In the middle of the 15th century, these lands were conquered by the Incas. Most of them belonged to the Quechua Indian tribe, so the Quechua language is widely spoken in Ecuador today.

The first landing of Spanish colonists on the Pacific coast occurred in 1526. For 5 years, the associates of the conquistador Francisco Pizarro y Gonzalez completely conquered the equatorial lands. In the place where the Incas lived, they built their own city of San Francisco de Quito, and Pizarro's brother Gonzalo became its ruler.

The Spaniards did not find gold and silver in their new territories. But they set up plantations here, where Indians and African slaves worked. And in the mountainous area, the breeding of small cattle began to develop.

At the beginning of the 19th century, several revolutions took place in the country, and in 1822 the national liberation movement prevailed. Colombian troops defeated the armed units of the Spaniards, so Simon Bolivar began to control the Ecuadorian territory. In those days, it was part of Gran Colombia, which was called the "region of Quito."

Slavery was abolished here in 1845, and late XIX century foreign countries began to actively invest in the economy of Ecuador. Great Britain was looking for oil here, and the Americans built railways and developed plantations where they grew coffee and cocoa. The British explorations were successful, therefore, since 1923, oil production on an industrial scale began in the South American country.

In the 20th century, the country has experienced several uprisings of radical parties, an armed conflict with Peru, coups and decades of military dictatorships. Ecuador met the beginning of the 2000s with a high level of inflation, corruption in all power structures and massive opposition protests. In 2007, new forces came to power, which began to carry out active reforms in the economy and the socio-cultural sphere.

Modern Ecuador is a presidential republic. 15.4 million people live here. About 65% of Ecuadorians are mestizos, 25% are representatives of indigenous Indian tribes, 7% are Spaniards and 3% are African Americans. The country has two official languages ​​- Spanish (Castigliano) and Quechua.

Ecuador has a well-developed oil industry. Every day this country produces 500 thousand barrels of "black gold". Ecuadorians sell most of their oil abroad. In addition, Ecuador exports timber, hemp, rice, coffee, cocoa, bananas, flowers, fish and shrimp to other countries.

Geographical location and climate features

The equator line crosses the territory of the country 27 km north of the capital Quito. The western part of Ecuador is represented by lowlands and foothills. Mountain ranges run through the center of the country from north to south, on which there are many active and extinct volcanoes. And the eastern regions lie within the lowlands of the Amazon basin. There are no large rivers here.

Ecuador is one of the few countries on the planet that has an even climate. Due to the equatorial position and the prevailing wind rose in this South American state, cyclones and anticyclones are practically not expressed, and there are also no typhoons and hurricanes.

The air temperature in the mountains stays around +23 °С all year round, however, there are sharp differences between day and night temperatures. From December to April in the highlands it is a little cooler and rainier.

A hot tropical climate prevails on the Pacific coast. During the year, the average air temperature is +28 °C. From June to November, there is a hot and dry season on the ocean shore, and the rest of the time it rains. Despite this, it is from December to May that most tourists come to Ecuador.

The jungle in the Amazon has its own climatic features. This part of the country is hot and humid all year round. The average air temperature, as well as on the ocean coast, is +28 °С. However, the jungle has a dry season from January to April and a rainy season from May to January.

City of Quito

The capital of Ecuador is built at an altitude of more than 2.8 km on the slope of the Pichincha volcano. The historic center of Quito attracts a lot of travelers. It is a pleasure to walk on it and travel in old convertible carriages. In the center is the building of the residence of the President of the country, gracefully decorated with wall paintings and intricate balconies.

There are about 50 Christian churches in Quito, and seven of the most famous of them stand close to each other. Although these are functioning churches, everyone is allowed inside, and in some churches you can even book a tour. In the central part of the city there are many old houses with terraces and courtyards. Here stands the famous bullfighting arena - Plaza de Toro's, which is known to all matadors in the world.

The "green" sights of Quito are spacious parks. Here is the largest urban park in South America - Metropolitano. In it you can walk through the eucalyptus forest and see the river valley on which Quito stands, as well as the panorama of high volcanoes.

Football and basketball fans like to gather in La Carolina Park. Here at any time you can meet skateboarders and cyclists. An exhibition center, a dinosaur museum and a terrarium are open in La Carolina.

National parks of Ecuador

Ecuador is the undisputed leader South America by the number and diversity of protected natural areas. Tourists wishing to visit national parks should be aware that there is no need to do any vaccinations before entering Ecuador. But if you are planning a trip to the jungle, it is better to get vaccinated against yellow fever in advance.

The most popular national park for trekking and climbing is located around a large active volcano in Ecuador. The Indians call this volcano "Cotopaxi" or "brilliant mountain", as its high snow-white caps never melt even under the rays of the equatorial sun. Cotopaxi has two round craters. For tourists, several trails have been laid along the slopes of the volcano, and a convenient campsite has been equipped at an altitude of 4.7 km. For those who wish, walking and horseback riding tours are organized in the park. In the vicinity of a high mountain, you can see llamas, wild horses, deer, tiny hummingbirds and nimble Andean lapwings. And on the western slope of the volcano is the famous "cloudy" forest, where many endemic plant species grow.

national park Sangay is located 170 km south of Quito, in the most inaccessible places in Ecuador. Its territory covers 520 thousand hectares: these are the mountainous regions of the Andes with eight belts of high-altitude vegetation, 324 lakes and three Ecuadorian volcanoes, the height of which exceeds 5000 m. There are several thermal springs and a beautiful waterfall "Devil's Cauldron" on the Palora River. Sangai is home to rare Andean foxes, red howler monkeys, South American tapirs, Andean bears, cougars, jaguars, ocelots, mazama deer, margas and porcupines. In addition to hiking trails, mountain bikes and horses travel around the park.

In the province of Oriente, there is the Yasuni National Park, where dry mountain and tropical rainforests are protected. More than 60% of all mammals of Ecuador and 520 species of birds live in them. Yasuni is the only place in the world where 473 tree species can be counted per 1 hectare of forest. In the north of the park, several original Indian tribes live in a special reserve.

Machalilla is the only national park that occupies the coastal part of Ecuador. Its protected area includes coral formations near the island of Isla de la Plata, as well as an extensive forest area. Large colonies of birds live here, and there are archaeological sites where artifacts from the pre-Columbian era have been found.

Turtle or Galapagos Islands have volcanic origin. They are located near the equator and removed from the mainland of Ecuador 972 km to the west. The archipelago consists of 13 islands, 6 small islets and more than a hundred rocks and alluvial areas protruding from the ocean. All of them are one of the provinces of Ecuador. The highest point of the Galapagos - Wolf volcano - rises to a height of 1707 m. Due to the cold current, the climate here is slightly cooler than in other places on the equator.

The Galapagos were discovered in 1535, and they began to belong to Ecuador since 1832. The unique local fauna was explored and described by Charles Darwin. Since 1978, the Galapagos Islands have been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List and have the status of a World Biosphere Reserve. Elephant and green turtles, marine iguanas, common conolophos, blue-footed boobies, as well as endemic species penguins, cormorants, buzzards and sea lions. In the coastal waters of the archipelago you can meet whales, killer whales and sharks.

Five islands are inhabited, and the total number of inhabitants on them is just over 25 thousand people. Most of the islanders are engaged in fishing and serving tourists. The capital of the archipelago is located on the island of San Cristobal, and the largest in size is Isabela.

Many interesting tours are organized in the Galapagos. These are cruise trips on comfortable yachts, diving tours to explore the underwater world, as well as trips to natural attractions on the islands themselves. Travelers can see many endemic animals and visit the crater of the Sierra Negra volcano, which reaches a diameter of 10 km and is considered the largest on the planet.

More than 90% of the archipelago and the adjacent marine area are part of the national park of Ecuador. Entrance to it is paid: $ 100 for adults and $ 50 for children. Payment for visiting the national park is taken in cash upon arrival in the Galapagos Islands.

While in a protected area, travelers must adhere to certain rules. In the Galapagos, it is allowed to move only along special trails and stop at equipped sites. Excursions around the islands are accompanied by a local guide who is an employee of the national park. In addition, guests must refrain from any activities that could harm wildlife.

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Local kitchen

Ecuadorian cuisine is considered one of the most exquisite in the world, because it is the only Latin American country where the original culinary traditions of Indian tribes have been preserved. Like many centuries ago, Ecuadorians prefer soups, seafood dishes and side dishes made from cereals, vegetables, rice, fried bananas and yucca.

One of the most popular is the locro de papas potato soup, made with peas and maize grains. This soup is usually served with avocado and grated cheese. Ecuadorians also love caldo de gallina chicken soup, sancocho fish soup with yucca and banana, and chupe de pescado fish and vegetable soup.

Thanks to the Indians, Ecuadorians learned how to cook many exotic dishes: jaguarlocro potato soup with blood, caldo de pata broth with fried calf hooves, fried guinea pig"kui" and a dish of crabs "cangrehada". In local restaurants, you should try a popular spicy dish - ceviche, which is made from seafood marinated in lime juice.

Recipes for meat dishes in Ecuador are mainly of Spanish origin, but many meat dishes prepared in the culinary traditions of the indigenous Indians have been preserved here. For example, "guatita" is a dish of cow's tripe with potatoes and peanut sauce. Instead of bread, Ecuadorians prefer to eat fried green patacones bananas, fried cangil corn, and tortillas baked from maize flour.

A wonderful warm climate and fertile lands give Ecuadorians and tourists a large number of tropical fruits. In this country, they drink a lot of freshly squeezed juices that perfectly quench their thirst. In addition, Ecuadorians like to mix juice with water or milk, getting "batidos". While traveling in Ecuador, you should try the exotic naranjilla juice, which has flavors of pineapple, passion fruit and strawberries, as well as tree tomato juice, which tastes like a mixture of tomatoes and citrus fruits.

Surprisingly, in a country that grows and exports coffee, this drink is not very popular. Ecuadorians are also not fond of leaf tea, which is habitual for Europeans. They prefer to drink herbal teas made from local flowers and herbs, and for dessert they serve a variety of biscuits, yogoso ice cream and sweet corn humitas.

Ecuadorian beer enjoys a good reputation throughout South America. The most popular varieties are "Club", "Belle" and "Pilsner". Of the stronger drinks, Ecuadorians love chicha corn vodka and aguardiente cane vodka, which tastes like strong rum. The latter is often drunk with the addition of sugar, cinnamon or fruit juices.

Accommodation

In Quito and other major cities of Ecuador, you can find hotels of different price categories. To accommodate tourists, hotels of the world's main hotel chains have been built, and there is also a sufficient number of expensive luxury apartments.

In the Galapagos, travelers can expect cheaper accommodation. You will not find hotels here high level service and there are not many good seafood restaurants. Because of this, many tourists prefer to travel between the islands on comfortable yachts. Cruise tourism allows you to see a lot of interesting things, and the service on first-class yachts justifies all expectations.

Fans of tours to the jungle, as a rule, settle in budget eco-lodges. They have enough amenities for a comfortable stay.

Transport

The territory of Ecuador is crossed by a network of roads with a length of more than 46,000 km, and about 6.5 thousand km of them are paved. Several high-speed highways of good quality pass through the country. However, renting a car in Ecuador is not recommended. This is due to the fact that in cities the rules are practically not observed. traffic therefore, it is difficult and unsafe for foreigners to drive a car in this country.

Due to the mountainous terrain, there are few railways in Ecuador. Their total length is only 1200 km. The main trains run between the cities of Quito, Guayaquil and Cuenca. These are old trains that run very slowly. In addition, lengthy repairs happen from time to time on the railway.

The country has a well-developed air traffic. Almost all domestic flights start from Quito or Guayaquil. On local planes, you can comfortably fly to the Galapagos Islands.

Between cities they travel by regular buses. There are two types: the cheap public buses and the more expensive "Ejecutivo" which provide passengers with greater comfort and safety. In the capital of Ecuador, there are two lines of trolleybuses.

Inside cities, taxis are usually used. Tourists are transported along the streets in yellow cars, the fare in which can be paid by the meter or by agreement with the driver. Please note that in the evening taxi drivers work at double rates.

Souvenirs

You can buy nice things to remember your stay in Ecuador in shops, markets and local residents. Most shops in the country are open from 9.00 to 19.00 and are closed on Sundays. In the countryside, during the daytime, all commercial establishments are closed for a 2-3 hour siesta.

Fine souvenirs from Ecuador are handmade ceramics, wool products, national clothes, homespun tapestries and silver jewelry, as well as cheap "fans" for kindling coals, woven from palm leaves. In the village of Cotacachi, tourists usually buy high-quality leather goods, in the city of Ibarra - beautiful wooden crafts, and in the city of Otavalo - colorful Indian carpets.

In Quito, souvenirs are sold at the covered Indian market. In addition, on weekends, El Ejido City Park hosts a souvenir fair that sells paintings by local artists, jewelry and brightly colored ponchos with Native American designs.

• In terms of area, Ecuador is one of the smallest South American countries.
• Ecuador has the highest active volcanoes planets - Cotopaxi (5897 m). It is located 60 km from Quito. Above 5200 m above sea level, the slopes of the volcano are covered with an ice cap.
• About 200 earthquakes with a magnitude of 4 or more occur in Ecuador every year.
• The memorial complex dedicated to the equator does not stand on the very line of the equator, but is located 27 km from the city of Quito. This is one of the most visited monuments in Ecuador.
• Ecuadorians are not rich. Only 10% of real estate is bought by local residents.
• Suffrage in this country is mandatory, and it is endowed not only with indigenous people, but also with foreigners living in the country. For evading elections, Ecuadorian legislation provides for a fine.
• The import of used cars older than one year is prohibited in the country.
• In Ecuador, homosexual relations, prostitution, the carrying of firearms are officially allowed, and abortion is prohibited. The minimum sentence for drug offenses is 8 years.

Customs and visa features

Ecuador is the only state on the planet where there is a visa-free entry for citizens of any country. And this is one of the few countries on the planet that recognize the "Passport of a citizen of the world." Russians can not apply for a visa to Ecuador for up to 90 days.

You can import foreign and local currency without restrictions within the limits of the funds indicated in the customs declaration. Adults are allowed to carry up to 1 liter of alcohol, up to 300 cigarettes, 50 cigars or 200 g of tobacco.

Export from Ecuador of leather and wool products is possible only if there is a receipt from the store. It is forbidden to export black coral crafts, antiques, gold items, wild animals and stuffed animals from the country.

How to get there

You can fly to Quito from Russia with transfers in Madrid, Frankfurt and Amsterdam. The flight takes from 17 hours. Other cities in Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands can be reached using local airlines or land transport.

Ecuador includes the Galapagos archipelago - a group of islands located on both sides of the equator. They were accidentally discovered in the 16th century by a Spanish missionary who got lost on his way from Panama to Peru. At that time they were uninhabited, but after the priest told about an exotic place where incredible animals are found, people rushed here. Pirates hid their treasures here, and scientists made discoveries.

Traces of ancient people were found on the islands - some believe that they were the Incas; others speak of fishermen caught in a storm. Didn't overlook the unusual new land and Charles Darwin - and this is not surprising: representatives of the fauna live in the Galapagos, which you will not find anywhere else on the planet. This, for example, is the marine iguana: the only lizard in the world that feeds in water. Large - up to half a meter or more - reptiles covered with growths look so intimidating that the British naturalist called them "disgusting fiends." However, he was wrong: appearance is a matter of taste; Iguanas are not dangerous to humans. They are only interested in algae, and in their free time from a meal they harmlessly bask in the sun.

In the Galapagos, you can see a strange bird with bright blue paws. This is a blue-footed booby, common in the tropics of America. The color of the paws has developed evolutionarily: this is the competitive advantage of males during the mating season. Individuals with a dull hue have almost no chance of procreation.

In total, dozens of bird species live on the islands - of which 45 are endemic, as well as 42 species of reptiles, 15 species of mammals and 79 species of fish. But the most famous inhabitant gave the name to the entire archipelago: Insulae de los Galopegos is translated from Spanish as "Turtle Islands". Another name for the Galapagos tortoises is elephant tortoises: they are the largest of modern ones. Today, the species is classified as vulnerable - there are very few of them left, but you can see them in the new 360 ° video of AirPano.

We used the Insta360 Pro camera to shoot this video. We thank Insta360 for the provided equipment. This time the camera was mounted on the ground: this allows the viewer to be transported to the area and feel the effect of personal presence on distant islands.

Due to the warm equatorial climate, nature of Ecuador extremely saturated. At the same time, the high mountains of the Cordillera separate Ecuador to different climatic zones, which brings great diversity to nature. Ecuador in its small area accommodates completely different natural landscapes. If you go along the Pacific Ocean, you can find the most beautiful beaches (the coast - "Costa"), and gradually climbing into the mountains, we will see how nature is filled with new colors, at an altitude of 3000-4000 meters it turns into alpine meadows (mountains - "Sierra") , gradually turning into lifeless mountain peaks, many of which are covered with glaciers. Having overcome the pass, one can observe how the Cordillera gradually give way to the Amazonian jungle (jungle - "selva"). The Galapagos Islands can be considered a separate natural area - there is a separate photo story about it about the Galapagos.

It is difficult to talk about nature, it must be seen, therefore, on this page there are few words and many photographs ... So, let's show the nature of the Cordillera in all its glory ...

Before visiting Ecuador, I thought that nature is more beautiful than Norwegian in the world. But perhaps Ecuador can fully compete, besides, in Ecuador there are much larger elevation differences, which means that Norway can surpass Norway in terms of the variety of landscapes.

Ecuadorian Cordillera(or Andes) are immersed in greenery, serpentines of roads meander along stormy mountain rivers full of trout, and landscapes delight the eye with their saturation of colors...

From Ecuador in the USA supply the most environmentally friendly products. All year round, animals graze in meadows watered by pure mountain rains.

Cordillera divide Ecuador into two climatic zones. Summer and winter are also here, but they are not what we used to think of them. In the summer in the east of the country - the rainy season, and in the west - dry, and in winter - vice versa. Therefore, when we have summer, the Ecuadorians in the west of the Cordillera have summer, and in the east - winter. But not snowy, but wet, rainy. This photo shows a clear division: in front of the top of the ridge it is clear and sunny, and behind the top we enter an area of ​​fog.

This fog lasts for many kilometers, and it stays here all season, which is why the forest is called cloudy.

The visibility of the road in the cloud forest can be only a few meters, so you should drive along the mountain serpentines very slowly and carefully.

Cruise on the Amazon, visit parks on the Pacific Ocean, beach holiday and excursions in Quito

Quito (4 nights) + Ocean - Mantaraya Lodge (4 nights) + Amazon cruise (4 nights)

DAY 1: Arrival

• Arrival in Quito
• In case of early arrival, you will have the opportunity to order additional excursions
• Night at the Hotel

DAY 2: Tour of Quito

• Breakfast in the hotel
• Sightseeing tour of Quito
• Night at the Hotel

Quito was built at the end of the 1st millennium AD. e. and was the capital of the Indian state of Kitu. In the XV century. he was conquered by the Incas. In 1534, Captain Sebastian de Benalcazar seized the territory on which the ancient Indian city was located, and founded the Spanish settlement of San Francisco de Quito in its place. On May 29, 1822, the uprising led by Simon Bolivar ended in victory, and the once Spanish colony of Quito declared its independence. In 1978, the historic center of Quito became one of the first sites inscribed on the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List. The architecture of the city is characterized by a harmonious interweaving of Spanish, Dutch and partly Indian style buildings. There are three squares symmetrically in the city center: Plaza Sucre, Plaza Bolivar and Plaza Independencia (Independence Square) with the Government Palace (1747) located on it. The city includes four park recreation areas: Metropolitano Park, La Carolina Botanical Park, park El Ejido, La Alameda Park, home to the oldest Astronomical Observatory in South America in Quito.

Church of La Company (La Compania)- The magnificent decoration of the facade demonstrates the wealth and strength of the European conquerors. Built in the Baroque style, the Church of La Company (Church of the Brotherhood of Christ) is considered the richest Christian church in all of Latin America. Its construction began in 1605, but was completed only in the 18th century. The interior of the church, in which Moorish motifs can be traced, is designed in purple and gold tones. The decoration of the altars, walls and choirs took about 6.4 tons of gold. The murals of the vaults of the Church of La Company are often compared with the famous Sistine Chapel. The six twisted columns of the outer façade were modeled after the canopy columns of the tomb of St. Peter's Cathedral of St. Peter in Rome.

Cathedral of San Francisco considered the oldest building in all of Ecuador. It began to be built immediately after the founding of Quito in 1534 on the foundations of the Inca Palace that had previously stood on this site.
The San Francisco complex is an example of Spanish-American architecture of the 16th-17th centuries. Together with courtyards, museums, gardens and fountains, it covers an area of ​​30,000 m2. The main building in the whole complex is the cathedral. Its walls are decorated with gilded wood and decorated with images of saints. The main altar, famous all over the world, is richly decorated with gold. Famous conquistadors and prominent figures of the colonial period, as well as direct descendants of the last head of the Inca Empire, are buried in the cathedral.

Monument to the Virgin Mary (a Virgen de El Panecillo)- In 1976, the Spanish artist Agustín Herrán Matorras made of aluminum a monument to the Virgin Mary, which is located on a hilltop in the middle of the city of Quito. This sculpture - 45 meters high - is a copy of the Virgin of Quito by Bernardo de Legard, which is located on the main altar of the church of San Francisco.
From the site of the monument, located on a hill, offers a breathtaking view of the entire city. In ancient times, a pagan temple was located on the top of this hill.

Roman Catholic Cathedral (Basilica del Voto Nacional)- July 10, 1892 the first stone was laid in the construction of the church. The cathedral reaches one hundred and fifty meters in length, thirty-five meters in height and thirty-five meters in width, the height of the domes is about seventy-eight meters. If you are not afraid of heights, you can climb the seventy-meter-high dome, from where you will see a delightful panorama of the city. The cathedral was built in the Gothic style, and the outer part of the walls is crowned with many gargoyles and animals that live on the territory of Ecuador. Despite such an impressive age of construction, the cathedral is still unfinished. One of the local legends says: "When the construction is completed, the end of the world will come."

Convento de la Merced (Monastery of Mercy) The walls of the monastery are made in white colors. Above the main entrance rises a stone quadrangular tower with a hint of Arabic style, in the upper part with a central dome. Together, the whole ensemble forms an unusual and beautiful combination. The decoration of the church is distinguished by interesting stone carvings. The original church was partially destroyed in an earthquake in 1660 and rebuilding began in 1701. In the central niche of the altar are the Virgins of Mercy, to whom General Sucre dedicated his victory after the Battle of Pichincha. In the middle of the monastery there is a magnificent stone carved fountain with the figure of Neptune in the middle. The monastery is a repository of old paintings, parchment books, as well as a large number of other historical values.

DAY 3: Flight Quito - Pacific Coast - Montecristi - Mantaraya Lodge

Your journey will begin with a 30 minute flight from Quito to Manta or Portoway. Our qualified staff will take you by car to the Machalilla National Park (about 3 hours on the way). On the way, you will make a stop to visit the homeland of the well-known Panama - city ​​of Montecristi. You will have an hour at your disposal to enjoy the atmosphere and history of this remarkable coastal town, whose inhabitants are mainly engaged in the production of these unique straw hats.

Next, you will continue to the Machalilla National Park along the road, along which you will discover great views on the coast of Manabi. Upon arrival at Mantaraya Lodge An excellent lunch will be waiting for you. After dinner, an experienced naturalist guide will offer you to choose an activity to your taste. You can spend time on the beach, take a trip to a fishing village or go for a walk in the amazing rainforest to get a first look at the local flora and fauna. After dinner, you will have an introductory lecture on Machalilla National Park and a discussion of the program for the next day.

City of Montecristi- a small city located in the province of Manabi, Ecuador, with a population of about 15,000 people. The city is mainly known for the production of straw panama hats located there. Panama hats are made by hand by craftsmen from special straw (toquilla straw), divided into strips, which are then intertwined so skillfully that it seems that the hat is made of linen. Top quality hats are known under the brand name montecristi superfino.

DAY 4: Machalilla National Park

It's time to see the beauty Machalilla National Park. In the village of Agua Blanca, located right in the heart of the park, you will have the opportunity to see the archaeological remains of the material culture of the once powerful state of Salango (Salango Chiefdom), which was part of the Manteno culture. With help various organizations The community of the village of Agua Blanca, with a population of over 400, is involved in several projects to preserve archaeological ruins and improve the tourism industry. The area offers a wide variety interesting views activities:

• Optionally you can visit the archaeological museum Agua Blanca to learn more about pre-Columbian civilizations, about local life and natural history these places from a guide who is a representative of the local community.
• From the museum, you can go on a hike with an experienced local guide to archaeological sites along the trail. During the walk you will see various representatives of flora and fauna. deciduous tropical dry forests. Also, if you wish, you can spend some time at the source of sulphurous mineral water and accept therapeutic bath. Duration and time of the walk - at your discretion.
• For the adventurous, there is an opportunity to explore foggy forest San Sebastian (San Sebastian) while riding. The trails made by the locals will lead you through deciduous and semi-deciduous dry forests to the fog forest, located at an altitude of about 800 m. During this walk at various altitudes, you will be able to see tropical birds, insects, reptiles, sometimes even animals, as well as a large number of different plant species.
• Along with hiking, it is possible to organize a bicycle tour of about 5 km along a dirt road through the valley Buena Vista valley. This walk will give you the opportunity to feel close contact with the nature of deciduous tropical dry forests, enjoy the beauties and see the life of the locals.

* These excursions and activities are optional and are not included in the total cost of the program. Please contact your travel agent to schedule this activity in advance. Biking adventure is an active pastime that requires an advanced level physical training. Please note that if you are particularly sensitive to heat, this may not be the best choice for you.

A trip to Agua Blanca is designed for the whole day. Therefore, during its duration you will be provided with a lunch box and the required amount of water. On the way back to the hotel, if you wish, you can make a stop in the fishing town of Puerto Lopez and take a walk along its main street “Malecon”, which runs along the beach, explore interesting corners. This trip is made exclusively in case of your desire. After dinner, your guide will tell you about the program for the next day and optionally give you a lecture about Machalilla National Park.

DAY 5: trip to Isla de la Plata

On this day, you will switch from exploring the main territory of the Machalilla National Park to exploring the beauties of Isla de la Plata.

Isla de la Plata is a national park that is an outstanding habitat for seabirds and other marine life. Your sailing adventure will begin from the tranquil harbor of Puerto Lopez, where you will board the comfortable Mantaraya boat. The journey to the island can take about an hour and a half.

A full day tour usually includes three points. One of them is a hike through the entire island along the already laid paths in the company of an erudite guide, from whom you can learn a lot of interesting things about the nature, geological features and culture of Isla de la Plata. You can choose to follow a longer or shorter route.

In addition, you will have enough time to go snorkeling and see interesting undersea world Drake's bay. Or, if you wish, you can just swim and relax on the beach. During the trip you will be offered water and a lunch box. In the evening the boat will take you back to Puerto Lopez and the bus will take you back to Mantaraya Lodge. After dinner, your guide will tell you the plan for the next day.

If you are interested in scuba diving, please contact your travel agent so that we can prepare everything for you in advance. Isla de la Plata has great diving spots where you can see colorful fish, coral reefs, rays and possibly sharks.*

*These excursions and activities are optional and are not included in the total cost of the program. Please contact your travel agent to schedule this activity in advance. You will need to prove your diving experience with a PADI license.

Isla de la Plata National Park- in their appearance and fauna, these islands strongly resemble the Galapagos Islands. The Isla de la Plata are known for their nesting and colonies of tropical birds, including Galapagos albatrosses, red-footed and blue-footed boobies. It is also home to about 11 species of marine mammals, including a small colony of sea lions. From July to October, humpback whales gather here for breeding and mating, which are known for spectacular jumps from the water.

DAY 6: Los Frailes beaches - Salango fishing village

The rocky ledges, bays, and wild beaches of the south of Manabi province are undoubtedly a very attractive place for any tourist. Therefore, on this day you will have a trip to the clean, untouched white beaches of the coast. Los Frailes, which is one of the three most protected coasts of the Machalilla National Park, since every year from January to May there are nesting sea turtles of at least two species (hawksbill and green turtle). Three beautiful beaches on the coast of Los Frailes are separated from each other by tropical coastal bushes and headlands. You can get there via a nature trail that starts near the access road and leads to the main beach.

This walk lasts about three hours. During this time, you will be able to see various representatives of the flora and fauna of coastal shrubs. You can also get to the main beach by car or bike on a dirt road.

At Los Frailes Beach, you can simply relax and sunbathe, walk along one of the hiking trails or swim in the warm equatorial waters or go snorkeling and watch the diverse underwater life.

Lunch will be served at the hotel.

After a well-deserved rest, your guide will take you to a small fishing the village of Salango. In this small village, located south of the city of Puerto Lopez (Puerto Lopez), there is an interesting museum that exhibits exhibits collected in different parts of the Machalilla National Park and beyond.

In addition, the museum exhibits in chronological order the ceramic remains of objects belonging to the peoples who inhabited the coast of Ecuador more than 5,000 years ago. If you wish, you can stay on the beach, go snorkeling. After dinner, you will have an introductory lecture on Machalilla National Park and a discussion of the program for the next day.

If you would be interested in doing scuba diving please contact your travel agent so that we can prepare everything for you in advance. Isla de la Plata has great diving spots where you can see colorful fish, coral reefs, rays and possibly sharks.*

* These excursions and activities are optional and are not included in the total cost of the program. Please contact your travel agent to schedule this activity in advance. You will need to prove your diving experience with a PADI license.

Los Frailes- According to many, the most beautiful beach in Ecuador is located north of the fishing town of Puerto Lopez. During a walk along the hiking trail, about 3.5 km long, you can see three separate beaches. The first two are located in small closed coves. On one of them the sand is white, on the other - black. The third beach is the most famous. There you will enjoy the view of white sand and forested rocks.

Green or soup turtle- a species of sea turtles, the only representative of the genus green turtles. The body weight reaches 200, rarely 450 kg, the length of the shell is more than 1 m. The color of the shell, covered with horny scutes, is olive green or dark brown with yellowish spots above, white or yellowish below. The green turtle swims and dives perfectly (its lungs are distinguished by branched bronchi). Once upon a time, green turtles were so numerous that their herds in the Caribbean Sea blocked the way for ships. Now the green turtle, like other species of sea turtles, has disappeared in many of its habitats, is listed in the Red Book of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) and needs protection. The extermination of these turtles for eating turtle soup, meat, eggs and valuable shells led to this state.

DAY 7: Excursion to the foggy forest - flight to Quito

During last day stay you will have the opportunity to see the tropical rainforest, also known as foggy forest. During this tour with a naturalist guide, you will see more than 20 species of birds, learn a lot about the local flora and understand how this ecosystem differs from others you have visited before. For a few hours you can immerse yourself in this unique paradise and feel like you are in a real jungle. Lunch will be served to you at the lodge. In the evening, you will have time to pack and prepare for your departure from the Machalilla National Park. Transfer to Manta or Portoveio will take about two hours.

fog forests(Fog Forests) - tropical montane evergreen forest. The foggy forest is located in the tropics on the slopes of mountains in the fog condensation zone, it usually begins at an altitude of 500-600 m and reaches a height of up to 3500 m above sea level. It is much cooler here than in the jungles located in the lowlands. At night, the temperature can drop to almost 0 degrees, but it is even more humid - up to six cubic meters of water falls per square meter per year. If it doesn't rain, then the moss-covered trees are shrouded in fog caused by intense evaporation. Mostly foggy forests are formed by trees, abundantly entwined with vines, with a dense cover of epiphytic mosses, tree-like ferns, magnolias, camellias are also characteristic, sometimes deciduous evergreen oaks are found, which distinguishes this type of forest from the plains.

Attention:

Although we always try to stick to this itinerary, it still offers some flexibility and changes if needed. Your guide will notify you of any changes the day before.

Guides are always available to offer you more detailed information about the area, weather conditions, navigational conditions, local cultures, vegetation and the opportunity to experience wildlife through lectures, discussions, briefings and videos.

Diving, fishing, horse riding and cycling, additional excursions are available for an additional fee.

• Upon arrival at the airport, the escort from Mantaraya Lodge will prepare your documents for your return to Quito.
• Overnight at the hotel Quito.

DAY 8: Quito - Coca - Yasuni National Park

The morning flight from Quito, after a short 30 minute flight, will land in Francisco de Orellana (Coca), after which you will be transferred to the river port of Napo. Next, you will have a trip on a motor boat, downstream, lasting about two hours. This time will be devoted to the story of the Amazon, during which you will learn a lot of interesting things.

After placing all passengers on the ship MANATEE AMAZON EXPLORER, it will start moving down the river Napo. In the evening, you are offered a canoe tour of Tiputini River flowing through the Yasuni National Park. At dusk, your first direct experience of the Amazon basin will begin (a night walk to visit a traditional dwelling or a canoe trip - depending on the water level in the river, climatic conditions, the state of wildlife and the availability of the destination).

Napo (Rio Napo)- This is a 1480 km long river flowing through the territory of Ecuador and Peru. It originates on the western slopes of the Antisana and Cotopaxi volcanoes and is a tributary of the Amazon.

Tiputini (Rio Tiputini) a tributary of the Napo River. Along its banks there are several settlements of the Huaorani Indians and a scientific station for the study of biological diversity - Tiputini Biodiversity Station. The Tiputini region is undeveloped by man and practically unvisited by Europeans.

Yasuni National Park- a biogeographic zone of world importance, a habitat for amazing animals and plants, which is one of the UNESCO Biosphere Reserves. According to UNESCO, the existence of more than 700 species of plants, more than 185 species of animals, 650 different species of birds, 180 species of reptiles, 100 amphibians and 600 species of fish have been established here. The park has an extremely high density of plants: on average, 473 tree species grow on one hectare of the park, which is a world record. The fauna of the park includes representatives of approximately 60% of the fauna of Ecuador. The park is inhabited by two different ethnic groups: Quechua and Huaorani, who still adhere to the primitive way of life, as it was before the arrival of the settlers.

In this park, tourists will have a unique opportunity to meet amazing animals, such as monkeys or felines: from pygmy jaguars to large growlers. You can also meet caimans, lizards, snakes, anacondas, frogs, various types of bats and many other representatives of fauna and flora.

DAY 9: Visit Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve and Yasuni National Park

Your morning will begin with an acquaintance with one of the most virgin rivers of the Ecuadorian Amazon - Lagartococha (COCAYA) River. Here you can admire rare species of exotic plants, colorful birds and unique representatives local fauna living in the reserve.
The absolutely black waters of the reserve are inhabited by legendary freshwater pink dolphins, river turtles, black caimans and the mysterious Amazonian manatee. Red howler monkeys live along the banks of the rivers, as well as black tamarins, squirrel monkeys, three-toed sloths, hoatzins and other amazing representatives of the fauna.

A canoe ride upstream will reveal the beauty of this watery region before your eyes.

In the afternoon, in the heart of the Yasuni National Park, you will visit the largest black lake in the Amazon basin - Jatun Cocha where you can go rowing and watch giant otters, amazing aquatic mammals. In addition, every minute you will be presented with beautiful, unforgettable, breathtaking views.

Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve occupies 6033.8 km? territory. This is a zone of forested humid tropical massifs, crossed by rivers and lagoons. The protected area has almost no altitude and is at the level of 200-280 m. local reservoirs saturated white.

On the Cuyabeno River, nature has formed a system of 14 lagoons, united by one feature - the almost black color of the water. As a rule, in April, the lagoons flood the nearby rainforest.

Among the tropical forests of the Cuyabeno reserve of the protected area, various types of palms, bromeliads, wild roses, orchids, Ceibos, Heliconia, Macrolobium have become widespread. In total, the flora of the reserve is 12,000 species of plants, many of which are medicinal.

The diversity of the animal world of the Cuyabeno reserve can only be envied. More than 550 species of birds are registered in the avifauna of the reserve alone, and about 350 species of fish are found in the ichthyofauna. Of the birds in the reserve, kingfishers and hoatzins, colorful parrots, and so on are common. Of the fish, an abundance of piranhas is noted. Reptiles are represented by alligators, river turtles, anacondas. From mammals in the open spaces of the Cuyabeno reserve, you can meet tapir, armadillo, freshwater pink dolphins.

Jatun Cocha Lagoon, located in the heart of the Yasuni National Park, is a natural habitat for rare species of animals and plants. With some luck, you can see an anaconda or a jaguar there. The national park has been awarded the second level of protection by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

Amazonian manatee- (Trichechus inungius) is a freshwater mammal of the manatee family that lives exclusively in the Amazon basin. Large massive aquatic animals with a streamlined body shape, forelimbs that have turned into flippers, and a tail in the form of a flat, rounded “oar”. Hind limbs are absent. He prefers stagnant lakes, river backwaters and lagoons associated with large rivers and overgrown with abundant aquatic vegetation. Amazonian manatees are herbivores that feed exclusively on succulent aquatic vegetation, the fruits of palm trees that have fallen into the water. The exact population size of the Amazonian manatees is unknown. Since 1965, the Amazonian manatee has been included in the list of the International Red Book. It currently has Vulnerable status.

DAY 10: Quechua culture and crafts

In the morning you will visit the cultural center of one of the local indigenous communities, namely Quechua. During this visit you will get to know the locals and learn a lot of interesting things about their culture. You will be able to interact with the children and visit the huts to see how friendly these people live, how they manage the resources provided by this unique land, and how they have learned to live with this fragile ecosystem. In the evening you can enjoy the views in a relaxed atmosphere from your Manatee ship and recharge your batteries for the next day. You will also have the opportunity to learn how to cook. Ecuadorian cuisine during one of four cooking classes taught by the chef.

In addition, on board you can listen to lectures about the Amazon on various topics such as culture, biodiversity, geological formation and more.

Weather permitting, a hike through the palm marsh will be organized, where, with luck, you can see rare species parrots and frogs.

Quechua (Qhichwa, Runa)- Indian people living in South America (Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, Argentina, Colombia, Chile) and being the heir to the cultural tradition of the Inca state. By the time of the conquest by the Spaniards, the Quechua Indians were the most powerful of the peoples of America. According to the criteria of archeology, the Quechua culture then stood at a higher level than the Aztec and Mayan cultures in Mexico, since, unlike the latter, it entered the Bronze Age.

Ecuadorian cuisine inherited many culinary traditions of numerous Indian peoples who inhabited this territory before the arrival of Europeans, and the Spanish influence characteristic of all countries in the region is less visible here. Ecuadorians prefer soups and stews, various dishes made from cereals, rice, eggs and vegetables. Side dishes are often fried bananas, yuca, cassava and other fruits of the local flora.

Soups are the most colorful part of Ecuadorian cuisine. Usually the most popular dishes are locro soup with cheese, avocado and potatoes, chicken caldo de gallina soup, fish and vegetable chupe de pescado, as well as various exotic dishes like potato soup " jaguarlocro" with blood or delicacy for the locals "caldo de pata" broth with fried veal hooves.

DAY 11: Parrots" Clay Lick and Limoncocha Biological Reserve

Breakfast will be served on board. Next, you will have an excursion to Parrot's Clay licks, a beautiful place where you can see a large number of parrots and other birds. Upon returning on board, lunch will be waiting for you, and in the evening you will visit Limoncocha Biological Reserve- an incredible place where a huge number of exotic birds, some species of monkeys live. As night falls, an exciting search for the black caiman awaits you. At night - return to the MANATEE liner.

Parrot's Clay licks- represents a wall of salt deposits on a hillside, where flocks of parrots, including macaws, readily fly. The fact is that the diet of these parrots includes nuts from the trees growing here, which contain toxins, and the clays found in this place contain elements that neutralize their effect.

Limoncocha Biological Reserve- The territory of the reserve is distinguished by a large concentration of birds - 347 different species of birds (especially waders) live here. Therefore, it is not surprising that the most popular activity in the Limoncocha Biological Reserve is bird watching from specially equipped sites.

The flora of the reserve is especially rich in aquatic plants, since most of The reserve is located in the near-water or in the aquatic environment. In almost all reservoirs of the reserve, the water is colored lemon-green, which is caused by native species algae. In the water part protected area there are many fish and several species of turtles. Of the representatives of the fauna, monkeys and black caimans are quite common. Among the sites of the secondary forest and gallery forests, brown foxes are found.

In addition, on the territory biosphere reserve, in tropical rainforests, the Quechua Indian community lives.
black caimans belongs to the genus of crocodiles. Its habitat is rivers with a slow flow of water and lakes. Today, this subspecies is on the verge of extinction.

The basis of the reptile's diet is fish, especially perch, catfish, piranha. In addition, it is not uncommon for black caimans to eat turtles, small mammals and birds. The jaw of the crocodile is designed in such a way that it is difficult for him to tear the victim into pieces, so the black caiman usually swallows its victims whole.

DAY 12: Return to Quito

• Return to the city of Coca, morning flight to Quito. The return by canoe upstream will take about 2 hours.
• Overnight in Quito.

DAY 13: Return

• Departure from Quito

Happy Journey and Unforgettable Impressions!

Price per person based on double room

The price includes:

• Transfers
• 4 nights in Quito (breakfast included)
• 4 night cruise aboard Manatee Amazon - three meals a day
• 4 nights at Mantaraya lodge - 3 meals a day

The price does not include the following costs (subject to change without prior notice)

• Flight Quito - Manta - Quito (about US$ 150 per person)
• Entrance ticket to Machalilla National Park - US$ 15 per person
• Flight Quito - Coca Quito (about US$ 150 per person)
• Entrance ticket to Yasuni National Park + parrots lick - US$ 65 per person
• Personal expenses
• Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks
• Lunches and dinners in Quito

State. device: The political system of Ecuador is a presidential republic. In August 1998, a new Constitution was adopted, according to which the country provides for the simultaneous election of the President and Congress for a 4-year term. At the same time, the president, the head of state and government, does not have the right to be elected for a second term immediately after the end of the first, but this limitation does not apply to members of Congress. In addition to the President, executive power is exercised by the Cabinet of Ministers (consisting of 17 people) and a number of secretariats. Ministers and provincial governors are personally appointed by the president. The current president of Ecuador is (Spanish: Lenín Boltaire Moreno Garces)
Legislative power is exercised by the National Congress (121 members), every 2 years, congressmen elect from their membership the Chairman of the Congress.

The country's highest judicial body is the National Supreme Court of Justice (Spanish: Corte Suprema de Justicia), which consists of 21 judges.

State. language : Official language Republic of Ecuador - Spanish. However, the state is pursuing a policy of preserving the languages ​​​​of the indigenous population, most of which, who call themselves "Rune" (in Quechua means "people", these are the inhabitants of mountain settlements and the jungle), speak the language. Some small ethnic groups speak their own own dialects: Shuara and Achuara Indians, Zion, Kofan, Sekoya, Waorani tribes living in the valley regions of the Amazon basin. Small groups of indigenous people live on the coast of Ecuador. English is rarely used, only in hotels, banks and travel agencies.

Religion: According to religious beliefs, the overwhelming majority of the population are Catholics (95%), representatives of other faiths make up 5%.

Currency: Ecuador used to have its own currency, the sucre. After a deep crisis in the country's economy, when the rate of the local currency collapsed, the government decided to abolish the national currency, completely withdrawing it from circulation. Since September 12, 2000, the state currency of Ecuador has become American dollar. The type of banknotes remained unchanged, and the coins have the same denomination as the American ones, only they look a little different.

Favorite sports games: Football (of course), volleyball, cycling, baseball, basketball, athletics.

Population

Approximately 25% of the country's population is made up of native Indians; about 65% are mestizos (descendants of mixed marriages of Indians with immigrants from Europe); 3% - Ecuadorians of African origin, descendants of slaves exported from Africa (mainly concentrated in the province of Esmeraldas and in the valley of the Chota River); and 7% - Ecuadorians of Spanish origin (mainly living in the cities of Quito, Cuenca) and immigrants from European countries(Italy, Germany) and Asia (Korea, Lebanon, Japan, China).

Excursion into history

The territories of present-day Ecuador in ancient times were inhabited by various Indian tribes (Kara, Tumbe, Kitu, Cañari, etc.), who were engaged in primitive agriculture, hunting and fishing.

By the end of the 1st millennium A.D. e. the Kara Indians, the inhabitants of the coast, invaded the mountainous regions. Having subjugated the local Indian tribes, while partially assimilating them, partially exterminating them, they created a state, the so-called "Kingdom of Kitu", in its type close to the countries of Eastern despotism.

Somewhere out there stretched the "Kingu Kingdom"

In the XV century (c. 1460), as a result of a 15-year war of conquest, the “Kingdom of Kitu” was enslaved by Tawantinsuyu (Spanish: Tawantinsuyu; 1438-1536), the largest state, the majority of whose population was made up of Quechua Indians. Quechua, as a result of this capture, became the most widely spoken language in what is now Ecuador.

The history of Spanish expansion in Ecuador began from the moment when (Spanish Francisco Pizarro), a Spanish conquistador, and his associates became interested in the territories south of Panama. A small reconnaissance detachment led by Bartolome Ruiz (Spanish Bartolome Ruiz) landed in 1526 near the mouth of the Esmeraldas River (Spanish Río Esmeraldas). After 3 years, F. Pizarro was appointed captain-general of New Castile (Spanish: Nueva Castilla; Spanish governorship in South Africa, which included the territories of present-day Peru and Ecuador, 1529 - 1542). From 1531, the adelantado began the conquest of Peru, in 1532 he captured, then killed Atahualpa (Spanish Atahualpa, ca. 1497-1533), the last ruler of the Incas.

The territory of today's Ecuador was conquered by the Spanish conquistador, Sebastian de Belalcazar(Spanish Sebastifn de Belalcazar; c.1480-1550) - one of the captains of Pizarro, who built a city on the site of an old Indian settlement San Francisco de Quito(Spanish San Francisco de Quito). In 1539, F. Pizarro appointed his brother Gonzalo as the ruler of the city, adding this region to the Viceroyalty of Peru.

Not finding large deposits of precious metals and stones in the conquered territory, the Spaniards began to build plantations in the country, on which the labor of Indians and black slaves taken out of Africa was exploited. Sheep breeding began to develop in the mountainous regions.

As for the whole of Latin America, so for Ecuador of the 19th century. marked by revolutions and national liberation wars. Revolutions in Quito took place in August 1809 and October 1810. The liberation movement won in 1822 when Colombian troops defeated the Spaniards. The ruler of Ecuador became (Spanish: Simon Bolivar).

In 1822-1830. Ecuador became part of (Spanish: La Gran Colombia), a federal republic (1819-1830), created during the struggle for the independence of the Spanish colonies in South America (1810-1826).

Geographic features

In the west, along the Pacific coast, the foothills of the Andes and valleys are located, in the center of the country two parallel Andean ridges stretch - Western and Eastern - with cones of extinct and active volcanoes. The eastern part of Ecuador lies within.

25 km north of the capital of Ecuador - Quito, the territory is crossed by the equator, which gave the country its name.

Geographically, climatically and biologically, Ecuador is divided into four zones:

• Costa(Spanish: Costa) - a low-lying part of the Pacific coast, lying west of the Western Cordillera to the ocean. The strip of coastal plains and hilly foothills is characterized by fertile soils, cultivated and intensively used for growing tropical crops both for own needs as well as for the international market.
• Sierra(Spanish Sierra) - the central high-mountainous part of the country, in which 3 Andean ridges stand out (stretching parallel to each other from north to south) and intermountain depressions (in some places up to 60 km wide) lying between the Central and Western Cordillera. Ranges of the Sierra greatest height reach in the north, where 12 peaks exceed 4.9 thousand meters above sea level. Within the Sierra lie more than 100 valleys with fertile soils, where barley, wheat, maize and potatoes are cultivated.
• Oriente(Spanish Orente) - jungle, foothill plains belonging to the upper basin, east of the Eastern Cordillera. This area, which occupies about 1/2 of the country's territory, includes the eastern foothills of the Sierra and the rolling plains to the east of them. Most of the Oriente is covered with rain tropical forests, there are numerous rivers flowing into the Amazon. The sparse population of Oriente is predominantly made up of Indians. Large oil deposits have been discovered here.
• (Spanish: las Islas Galapagos) is an archipelago in the Pacific Ocean, 972 km west of the coast of Ecuador.

In this "compact" country, on which volcanism has left a deep imprint, there are about 20 active volcanoes, the most famous of which are: (Pichincha, 5000 m.), The eastern slopes of which go around the capital Quito; Ilinisa (Spanish: Iliniza, 5,263 m) located 55 km southwest of Quito; titanium - (Spanish Chimborazo, 6267 m.), now an extinct volcano, the highest point of Ecuador. Some of the volcanoes, for example, Cotopaxi and, are still active, therefore earthquakes are frequent in the country, often quite destructive. The narrow plateau, stretching between both the Central and Eastern Cordillera, is covered with a massive layer of volcanic lava and ash. The plateau is divided by mountain spurs and volcanic ridges into separate depressions, the bottoms of which lie at levels of approximately 2.1 to 3 thousand m. Ibarra), Quito (Spanish Quito), Latacunga (Spanish Latacunga), (Spanish Riobamba), Alausi (Spanish Alaus), (Spanish Cuenca), Loja (Spanish Loja) and Zamora (Spanish Samora).

In the hollows, various crops are grown, characteristic of temperate zones. In the Tulcan depression, located above the rest (the bottom of which is found at a level of 2900 m), it is too cold for grain crops, potatoes are mainly grown here. In the lowest part, in the Ibarra depression (about 760 m above sea level), cotton, sugarcane and many other tropical crops are grown.

Heart of Ecuador - Quito

Rivers

Almost all the rivers of Ecuador originate in the mountains, the largest of them:

• Pastaza (Spanish: Rio Pastaza),
• Esmeraldas (Spanish Río Esmeraldas),
• Napo (Spanish Napo),
• Guayas (Spanish Guayas),
• Putumayo (Spanish: Putumayo),
• Aguarico (Spanish Aguarico).

On the Pastaza River there is the largest waterfall in the country - Agoyan (Spanish: la Cascada de Agoyan), whose height reaches 61 m.

Climate

Climatic conditions in Ecuador are largely determined by the Andes. The southern part of the country's coast is washed (Spanish Durante Humboldt), cold surface Pacific current, whose waters also have a decisive influence on the climate. In general, all types of climate are found in Ecuador: from humid and hot in the north to harsh, cold in the southwest.

The climate of the high Andes is damp and cool, with constantly low temperatures with significant daily fluctuations (from +13°C to +2°C). These places are characterized by foggy weather with drizzling rain turning into snow. In the foothills, the average annual temperature fluctuates within +22°C. The average annual temperature of the coast is +30°C (average annual water t near the coast: +24°C); on the eastern plains of the country +25°C; and in the south - from +23°C to +27°C. In the Galapagos Islands, temperatures for the equatorial latitudes are relatively low, with average monthly temperatures ranging from +21°C to +26°C.

The average annual temperature in Quito at an altitude of about 2800 m is +13 ° C, and at night the thermometer often fixes 17 ° C below the daily maximum. The period September - May is the season of almost daily showers brought by winds from the Amazon basin.

Flora and fauna

No other South American country has such a wide range of different plant families as Ecuador.

In the coastal region north and west of Guayaquil (Spanish: Guayaquil, the largest city in the country), as well as in the Oriente zone, humid equatorial climate. In these areas, tropical rainforest grows (in places interspersed with grasslands overgrown with swampy banks of small rivers), turning into tall grass savannah with separate groups of palm trees. Coastal lagoons are covered with bushes and mangroves.

To the south of Guayaquil, deciduous thickets gradually give way to xerophytic shrubs and giant cacti. The southern part of the country's coast is washed by the cold (Spanish Durante Humboldt) or Peruvian, which has a significant impact on the formation of the coastal climate. Here, rare groups of xerophytic trees are interspersed with a variety of cacti and crotons. In this area, the most common tree is "Palo de balsa" (Spanish: Palo de balsa), which has the lightest wood in the world. Indians have long used it in the construction of canoes. But perhaps the most famous example of the use of Palo de balsa is the Kon-Tiki raft (on which the Norwegian scientist Thor Heyerdahl covered a distance of about 7740 km, from Peru to the islands of Polynesia), built from this wood.

In the same area, the palm-shaped plant "Carludovica palmata" (lat. Carludovica palmata), which looks like a palm tree, is very common known for that the famous "Panamanian hats" are made from its leaves.

The north of Ecuador is dominated by wet sea trade winds and low atmospheric pressure, and in the south of the country there is a high pressure zone with dry air. These factors are responsible for the sharp latitudinal alternations of climate.

In the mountains, the climate varies depending on the height above sea level and on the orientation of the slopes in relation to the cardinal points. Ascent for every 300 m is accompanied by a decrease in temperature of approximately 2°C. The spurs of the Andean Cordillera are covered with dense forests up to a mark of 3 thousand meters above sea level, the type of forest changes with height. Below 1050 m above sea level, powerful crowns of evergreen trees (up to 50 m high) do not allow undergrowth to develop, strongly shading the soil. Higher up the slopes, the canopy becomes more sparse, epiphytic orchids, creepers, various shrubs and ferns grow wildly under it.

In the inner depressions of the Andes, it is usually cool. The climate in this part of the country is suitable for a dense temperate forest, however, loose soils mixed with volcanic ash are widespread here, so large areas of the territory at the level of 2300–3500 m above sea level are covered only with shrubs. Above 3500 m above sea level, the vegetation is rather sparse, represented by low-growing shrubs and turf grasses, which gradually give way to bare rocks with eternal snows, which begin at a height of 4500 m above sea level.

Due to the wide variety of climate and vegetation of Ecuador, the country's fauna is quite heterogeneous. Large mammals include the bear, puma, jaguar, wild cat, and many species of monkeys. In the high Andean meadows, highlands and ridges live: mountain tapir, northern pudu - little deer and a spectacled bear.

Smaller forms include the weasel, skunk, otter, raccoon, and the exotic tayra, grison, coati, and kinkajou. Of particular interest are the sloth, vampire bat, armadillo and anteater. The most diverse community of Ecuador's fauna are birds - there are about 1360 species of birds in the country. The most interesting of them: a variety of hummingbirds (up to 120 species), countless parrots, exotic tanagers, toucans, as well as woodpeckers and pigeons that are more familiar to us.
In addition, many birds fly to Ecuador from North America for wintering. The lower, warmer parts of the Andean slopes and coastal lowlands abound with a variety of reptiles: toads, frogs, turtles, crocodiles, snakes and lizards.

The rarest species of animals, of course, live on the Galapagos Islands, which are a closed, isolated world that has escaped the fleeting process of evolution. Endemic animals that have long disappeared in other parts of the planet, such as ground finches or Darwins, have been preserved here. Perhaps the most interesting animal of the Galapagos is a huge marine iguana, a reptile more than a meter long, with a crest in the middle of its back, giving it a formidable dragon-like appearance. The islands have long served as a haven for 15 species of terrestrial giant tortoises, which are still found only on the Mascarene Islands in the Indian Ocean.

The waters around the Galapagos Islands are teeming with dolphins and whales. The proximity of warm waters and cold currents is due to a peculiar combination in one area of ​​representatives of the fauna, characteristic of both warm and cold seas. Southern sea ​​birds and iguanas in the Galapagos peacefully coexist with penguins, this is one of the most paradoxical and amazing sights on the planet. Two species of marine pinnipeds also live on the islands, one of them is the rarest - the endemic Galapagos fur seal.

Largest cities

The most densely populated center of the country and the east, the level of urbanization is about 60%.

Name	Population
(Spanish Guayaquil)	3 million
(Spanish: San Francisco de Quito)	2.67 million
(Spanish Cuenca)	450 thousand
(Spanish: Ibarra)	400 thousand
(Spanish: Manta)	250 thousand
(Spanish: Machala)	246 thousand
Portoviejo (Spanish: Portoviejo)	223 thousand
Santo Domingo de los Colorados (Spanish: Santo Domingo de los Colorados)	200.5 thousand
Loja (Spanish Loja)	OK. 200 thousand
Esmeraldas (Spanish: Esmeraldas)	195.2 thousand
(Spanish: Riobamba)	124.5 thousand
Babahoyo (Spanish Babahoyo)	91 thousand
Tulcan (Spanish: Tulkan)	86.5 thousand
Latacunga (Spanish: Latacunga)	63.8 thousand
Puerto Francisco de Orellana (Spanish: Puerto Francisco de Orellana)	48.5 thousand

The steady trend of migration from rural areas to cities leads to a further increase in the population in large cities.

Economy

The country's economy is based on the sale of oil, which provides more than ½ of the income from the country's total exports.

Oil production, the main wealth of the bowels of Ecuador, has been carried out since 1917, and in the 1970s commercial oil reserves were discovered, which served as an incentive for rapid economic growth and the development of the petrochemical, steel, and cement industries. Produced in the rich oil fields of Oriente, the oil flows through the Trans-Andean oil pipeline to the port of Esmeraldas (Spanish: Esmeraldas) and refineries located in its vicinity.

In the south of the Oriente mountain region, since 1995, there has been a sharp increase in gold production. Ecuador also has significant reserves of natural gas, however, they are still little used due to the lack of proper infrastructure.

However, Ecuador remains one of the poorest South American countries. In addition, as a result of a sharp drop in world oil prices, due to a number of natural disasters, and also because of the difficulties faced by the country's oil industry, its growth rates decreased significantly in the following decades. For example, as a result of the earthquake in 1987, the thread of the Trans-Amazonian oil pipeline was damaged, which forced Ecuador to suspend oil exports. In the 1990s, there were several floods that caused significant damage to crops, and in 1995, due to a severe drought, the country was hit by an acute energy crisis, since almost all of the electricity here is generated by hydroelectric power plants.

In a country where most (44%) of the mountains and plains are covered with tropical rainforests, forestry has been actively developing in recent years: harvesting balsa wood, collecting kapok (cotton fruit fiber), palm nuts and hevea juice (lat. Hevea - genus rubber trees).

The most important sectors of the Ecuadorian economy are agriculture and fishing, which employ almost half of the country's total working population.

Main export crops: coffee, cocoa, bananas. Cocoa and bananas are grown in tropical lowlands, coffee in colder and drier climates. climatic conditions, on the lower mountain slopes. Citrus fruits, sugarcane and rice are also grown in the valleys. On the Andean slopes, wheat, barley, maize, potatoes are cultivated, sheep and cattle are bred.

Since the 1980s Ecuador has significantly increased the production of fish and seafood in coastal waters (between the coast and the Galapagos Islands). About 1/3 of the total catch is shrimp (in terms of their export, Ecuador ranks 2nd in the world); the rest of the prey is anchovies, tuna, mackerel and herring.

Transport

The mountainous landscape complicates the development of the transport network. The total length of all railway tracks is only 1200 km. Main railway lines link Guayaquil with Cuenca and Quito.

Of major importance are the highway linking Quito and Guayaquil, and (Spanish: Carretera Panamericana), running from north to south through the Andes (with a length of 1392 km in Ecuador), which passes through metropolitan Quito.

International and domestic airlines serve the airports of Quito and Guayaquil:

• Quito Mariscal Sucre International Airport (Spanish: Quito Mariscal Sucre International) is 20 km away. from the city center;
• International Airport José Joaquina de Olmedo (Aeropuerto Internacional JoséJoaquín de Olmedo), is located 7 km northeast of the center of Guayaquil. By the way, it is recognized as the best airport in South America.

81% of the trade turnover passes through the main port of the country - Guayaquil; the port of Esmeraldas (Spanish: Esmeraldas) serves oil exports. The ports of Manta (Spanish: San Pablo de Manta) and Puerto Bolivar (Spanish: Puerto Bolivar) are also of great importance.

Attractions

Translated from Spanish, the name of the country means "equator". The picturesque country extends on both sides of this conditional line, presenting an amazing combination of diverse natural beauties. At the same time, the cultural sights of Ecuador are also quite diverse with majestic architectural monuments of the colonial period and works of art by indigenous masters. The original culture and vibrant local folk traditions permeate this small country with a special, indescribable atmosphere. No wonder Ecuador is one of the most promising countries in terms of tourism in South America.

First of all, it is necessary to mention the capital of the state, Quito, which is considered the most beautiful city on the continent. The city is located in a mountain basin, at an altitude of about 2800 m above sea level and is surrounded by majestic snow-capped peaks of volcanoes. Part of the ancient times, Quito, better preserved than the rest of the South American colonial capitals, is an excellent example of exquisite Spanish architecture. During the colonial period, all applied arts developed under the influence of the Catholic Church and bore a clear imprint of the Baroque style that dominated Europe at that time. Today, in many functioning temples of Quito, priceless works of art are stored: paintings, statues, church utensils, all kinds of decorations.

The unique architecture, woven from pre-Columbian styles and baroque, is most clearly represented in the main historical landmark of Quito - the medieval temple of Jesus Christ, located in the very core of the city: gold was obviously not spared for decorating the beautiful church, the interior and exterior decorations are richly decorated with elegant gilding .

The city of Quito was one of the first sites in the world included in 1978 by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage of Humanity. In the "old" Quito there are 12 ancient monasteries and more than 50 churches created in the "Baroque" style.

Among the most outstanding sights of the country is active (Spanish Volcan Cotopaxi), yavl. in terms of height, the second peak of Ecuador, the highest active volcano in the country (about 5920 m), it is also included in the group of the highest active volcanoes on the planet. The majestic snow-covered slopes of the volcano are visible from anywhere in the capital. No less picturesque place of tourist interest is (Spanish Volcan Chimborazo, 6267 m), an extinct volcano, the highest point in the country. These volcanoes are the key points on the "Road of Volcanoes", most clearly embodying the grandeur of the nature of Ecuador.

"" passes through a narrow picturesque valley 325 km long, sandwiched between two parallel cordillera, in which 9 of the 10 highest peaks of the country are concentrated. More than 1/2 of the country's population lives in an amazing valley, and in some of the most inaccessible places, indigenous Indians lead a traditional way of life that has not changed over the centuries.

The mysterious Galapagos Islands open up truly fantastic worlds for tourists. This rather isolated archipelago has only been partially explored. An original ecosystem has formed on the islands, striking with the diversity of animals and plants - for connoisseurs of wildlife, perhaps more interesting place not found in the world.

The best starting point for traveling through the jungle is the city of Tena (Spanish: Tena), a tiny settlement in the Amazonian tropics that exists on meager income from the production and sale of cinnamon. Meanwhile, tourists have long appreciated the uniqueness of the local natural beauties. The river of the same name with the city is recognized as a wonderful place for kayaking and rafting.

According to experts, the Ecuadorian National Parks and Nature Reserves occupy a leading position in the world in terms of species diversity flora and fauna. To the most popular national parks and nature reserves of the country include: (Spanish Sangay National Park; 150 thousand hectares), Podocarpus National Park(Spanish Podocarpus National Park), Cotopaxi National Park(Spanish: Cotopaxi National Park), forest Mindo Nambillo Nature Reserve(Spanish: Nature reserve Mindo Nambilo), famous for its abundance of birds, and the only seaside in the country Machalilla National Park(Spanish: Machalilla National Park).

Located on the Pacific coast, Ecuador's beaches are considered among the best on the continent. Tall beach season in the seaside resorts of the north of the country (Atacames, Same, Súa, Mompiche and Muisne) lasts from August to December, and in the beach resorts located in the south of the country, the season lasts from December to July. Most Ecuadorian white sandy beaches great for surfing. The resort attractions of Ecuador are most fully represented in Montañita (Spanish: Montañita) - a former fishing village and today's center of beach activities, surfing and nightlife.

The tourist potential of Ecuador is just being revealed, it is promisingly diverse, great and extraordinarily tempting.

Tourists in memory of this unusually beautiful and diverse country buy traditional handicrafts, bright ponchos and alpaca socks, "Sangre de Drago" ("Dragon Juice" - red juice from Croton lechleri ​​and Treenative trees, which has been used by local Indians for thousands of years for cuts and wounds), traditional hats, Ecuadorian panamas, and coffee and chocolate.

Ecuador: Traditional Holidays

The culture of Ecuador is a fantastic mixture of the customs of the Indian tribes of the pre-Columbian era, Spanish traditions and the cult of the Roman Catholic Church. In the mountainous regions of Ecuador, the traditional Indian harvest festival “Inti Raymi” (Kech. Inti Raymi; “The Way of the Sun”), an ancient ritual celebration of worship of the Sun (the main god of the Incas), is especially popular.

Every year, on the rivers and waterfalls of the country, local Indian peoples celebrate the Summer Solstice, believing that this ritual festival helps to merge in harmony with nature and purify their souls.

In Ecuador, almost every month a holiday is celebrated in honor of one of the Catholic saints.

Every year in September, the city (Spanish: Otavalo) celebrates the grand Yamor Feast. For two weeks, festive events continue in the city - costumed parades, music and dance performances, theatrical performances and fireworks.

One of the main holidays in the country is called " Mama negra" (Spanish for "Black mother"), it is celebrated annually on November 7 in the city of Latacunga (Spanish Latacunga), located in the mountainous part of the central region of Ecuador. Festive concerts and merry processions take place along the decorated streets of Latacunga.

In March - April, in all, even the most remote corners of Ecuador, the most colorful and vibrant festive event is celebrated - Carnival.

Curious facts about the country, serious and funny

• Ecuador has the most even climate in the world.
• In Quito, the capital of Ecuador, the last Great Inca was born.
• In Ecuador, there is an official monument to the equator, the most interesting thing is that it is not located on the equator line.
• The average life expectancy in the country is 75 years.
• Ecuador produces almost 500 thousand barrels of oil per day!
• The famous Panama hats appeared for the first time not in Panama, but in Ecuador.
• Did you know that in February 1945 Ecuador declared war on Germany. Perhaps this fact determined the outcome of World War II, in any case, the Ecuadorians are sure of this.
• Surprisingly, in Ecuador, washed by the waters of the Pacific Ocean, there are no hurricanes, typhoons and all kinds of cyclones.
• Ecuador "shakes" an average of 200 times a year, if we take into account only earthquakes of more than 4 balls (magnitude on the Richter scale).
• Ecuador is the only country in the world with a visa-free entry (this applies to citizens of all countries).
• During the Second World War, of all the warring countries, Ecuador suffered the largest territorial losses - almost half of its territory.
• The smallest country in South America, Ecuador, has the largest area on the planet occupied by parks and reserves in relation to the total area of ​​the country. Ecuador can rightfully be called a "Reserve Country".
• Ecuador is so far the only country in the world that refuses to pay its foreign debts, not out of financial inability, but out of principle.
• Abortion is officially banned in the country, but prostitution is allowed and the carrying of firearms is not prohibited.
• In the Constitution of Ecuador, along with punishments consistent with the country's criminal code, the use of "national traditions and customs" of indigenous Indian tribes is allowed.
• Motorists of Ecuador show the direction of their movement both with turn signals and (of course!) with their hands.
• In the period 1996-2006. Ecuador has had 9 presidents.
• “Sacred” concepts for Ecuadorians (arranged in order of importance): Jesus (Ecuadorian football player, striker), Football, Pilsener (Spanish: Pilsener, Ecuadorian football championship) and Coca-Cola (everything is clear here).
• Interestingly, there is no McDonalds network in Ecuador at all.
• There are places in the Ecuadorian Andes where you can ski all year round, one thing is frustrating - there is nothing to breathe there.
• Only in Ecuador you can see real Indians and live penguins.
• Ecuador became the first country in the world to abolish the death penalty in 1906.
• The incumbent president of the country underwent the traditional ritual of initiation into the Supreme Leaders of all the Indian peoples of Ecuador.
• In Quito, atmospheric pressure is always 25% below normal.
• Entertainment like "let's go swim in the ocean at night" in Ecuador, of course, exists, but only among drunken Russian tourists.
• The conquest of Ecuador by the Incas lasted 15 long years, so the Supreme Inca took and married the daughter of a local leader, and Ecuador went to him as a dowry.
• Ecuador has deposits of emeralds, silver and gold.
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