We continue our tour of South America by bringing you 10 crazy facts about Ecuador. Located in the northwestern corner of South America, Ecuador is 7th most populous country on the continent and 9th by area, about the size of Colorado.
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Created after the dissolution of Gran Colombia, Simon Bolivar’s great South American nation, Ecuador gained its independence in 1830. Before Spanish colonization it was a part of Inca Empire. Today, the majority of its population are mestizos, or mixed offspring of Indians and European settlers, reflecting the history of the area. The small community of Japanese also exist in Ecuador, so brushing up on facts about Japan wouldn’t go amiss.
Ecuador is one of the most successful economies in South America, largely due to its positive export balance. Oil, bananas and timber, including balsa wood, are the main Ecuadorian products. In recent years, tourism is becoming increasingly important part of the economy as well. Combination of tropical rain forest, high volcanic peaks and Pacific coast proves to be a magnet for foreign visitors and Ecuadorians are reaping the benefits of their beautiful country. With relaxed and easy going attitude and friendliness they show to everyone, they are considered one of the best hosts in the world.
Ecuador’s rich history and geography have joined forces to produce some quirkiness, though. There are some crazy facts that are true only in Ecuador and nowhere else on the planet.
10. Ecuador means equator
República del Ecuador, literally means Republic of Equator. This makes it the only country in the world that is named after geographic feature. Ciudad Mitad del Mundo or Middle of the Earth City, is built on the equator to commemorate this fact. A large monument marks the equator line, measured by a French expedition in 1936. By using modern GPS it was discovered that French missed it by some 240 meters. Considering technology they used, it is still a pretty good result.
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9. Panama hat
As every Ecuadorian worth their salt will tell you, famous Panama hat is actually Ecuador hat. The misplaced origin of one of the most famous head gear in history occurred in the 19th century, when Ecuador products were exported through Panama, with the name of the destination stamped on the crates. People who bought them mistook it as a country of origin. Ecuador even has museums dedicated to their stolen hats, where they will explain in great detail to every visitor how the mistake happen, regardless of the visitors’ wish to know.
8. Rights of Nature
In 2008, Ecuador passed its new constitution, with a part of dedicated to the Rights of Nature, becoming the first country in the world to do so. In practice, this means that people have a right to petition courts on behalf ecosystems to protect their rights to exist and flourish. Imagine something like that in the US.
7. UNESCO World Heritage Sites
The first two sites on UNESCO World Heritage list are in Ecuador. Number 1 is Galapagos Islands and number 2 is the capital, Quito. In 1999 Cuenca, another Ecuadorian city was added. By the way, Cuenca official name is Santa Ana de los cuatro ríos de Cuenca. Quite a mouthful.
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6. Guinea pig, anyone?
Guinea pig is a traditional meal in Ecuador. Known locally as cuy, it is very popular. Sources disagree on the taste, as some claim it tastes like chicken, while others are convinced it is more rabbit like. Other favorite dishes are beetle larvae and bull penis soup. Bon appetite!
5. Biodiversity
Ecuador is a country with highest biodiversity per square mile in the world, which is number 5 fact on our list of crazy facts about Ecuador. Plans are in motion to preserve countries rich flora and fauna, with 19% of the total area already under some form of protection. However, Ecuador estimates that at least 32% of the country must be protected to ensure full preservation.
4. Bananas
About 29% of all bananas exports in the world are from Ecuador, despite having only 5% of world’s production. There are over 300 sorts of banana grown in Ecuador.
3. For a few dollars more
Official currency in Ecuador is US dollar. After the financial crisis in 1999, Ecuador abolished its currency, sukra, and started using dollars as legal tender. They also use local centavo coins, with the same value as US coins. Centavo coins are minted in Royal Mint of Canada.
2. Galapagos Islands
In 1832, Ecuador took advantage of the collapsing Spanish colonial empire and ensuing power vacuum and grabbed Galapagos Islands, located some 560 miles off its coast. Small Island chain was made famous by Charles Darwin and his famous Beagle voyage. Today, Galapagos is largely a nature preserve and one of the most popular tourist destination in the world.
1. The highest capital in the world
Quito or San Francisco de Quito, the capital of Ecuador, is the highest capital in the world. It is located on the slopes of the active volcano in the Andes Mountains, 9,200 feet above sea level. City outskirts are located just half a mile south from the equator. It was one of the first sites added to the UNESCO World Heritage list and it is number one on our list of 10 crazy facts about Ecuador.
