Did you think you knew everything about Ecuador ? This time we are going to show you that even if you are an Ecuadorian with all your heart, there are some facts and curiosities that perhaps escaped you from this great nation. Here we tell you what they are:
Discover all the curiosities of Ecuador
- It may not surprise you and you may have guessed it, but our country is named for the equatorial line that runs through it. In fact, our country is the only one in the world that is named after a geographical feature.
- Ecuador is the nation with the largest number of orchid species in the world; there are about 4,250 species of which 1,301 are endemic to the country.
- From the north to the south of the Equator ; or vice versa, an entire volcanic section extends in the Andes Mountains . There are 98 volcanoes, which makes Ecuador the country with the most volcanoes on the planet . Among those, there are 31 that are potentially erupting.
- The Galapagos Islands inspired Charles Darwin's theory of evolution, because he observed how the same species of bird had evolved differently on each of the 21 islands over time. In fact, the natural wealth of these islands makes it one of the most fascinating places in the world.
- The summit of the Chimborazo Volcano is the highest point in the world measured from the center of the earth and the closest to the sun due to its position next to the equator.
- After the great economic crisis that led to the devaluation and disappearance of Sucre, the old currency, it is estimated that more than three million Ecuadorians emigrated to different countries, the majority to the United States, Spain and Italy.
- The Yasuní Wildlife Reserve is home to 10% of all species on the entire planet. It is located in the heart of the Amazon and covers 9,820 square kilometers.
- Recent studies affirm that Ecuador could be the original source of cocoa, since it has been consumed here for more than 5,000 years. Likewise, Ecuador is one of the largest cocoa exporters in the world.
- Ecuador has one of the best preserved colonial architecture in the American continent . Downtown Quito was one of the first sites protected by UNESCO. This was built in the 16th century on the ruins of an Inca city.