Ecuador: A South American Country Rich in Unique and Fascinating Cultures.
Top 5 Interesting Facts About Ecuador
1. Ecuador means “equator” in Spanish
Mitad del Mundo is a symbol of Quito, Ecuador.
The official name of this country is “República del Ecuador” (Republic of the Equator), and in fact, Ecuador is the only country in the world named after a geographical feature.
Just outside the capital city of Quito, there is a famous monument called Mitad del Mundo (Middle of the World) that marks the equator and serves as a popular tourist attraction.
2. Ecuador was once part of the Inca Empire
Ecuador and other South American countries share a similar culture due to their history as part of the Inca Empire.
Although primarily centered in Cusco, with most of its population in present-day Peru, a portion of the Inca Empire—one of the greatest empires in pre-Columbian America—endured in southwestern Ecuador from 1463 until its collapse due to Spanish invasion in the 1530s.
3. It is a country with many volcanoes
Tungurahua Peak is one of the most active volcanoes today.
This country is located in the Pacific Ring of Fire, a region known for frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Just south of Quito, two parallel mountain ranges of the Andes extend from north to south in Ecuador, famously known as the “Avenue of the Volcanoes.”
Tungurahua Peak, also located south of Quito, is one of the most active volcanoes in the world in recent years. In the local language, the name of this mountain means “Throat of Fire,” and it has erupted frequently since 1999, with the most recent eruption occurring in February 2018.
4. Ecuador is the largest banana exporter in the world
Ecuador has the largest banana export volume in the world, accounting for a 30% market share.
Thanks to its humid tropical climate, Ecuador has ideal conditions for growing tropical fruit, particularly bananas, for which it holds the title of the world’s largest exporter, accounting for 30% of the market share, despite ranking fifth in global production (approximately 6% of total world production).
Typically, they export bananas to markets in the Middle East (primarily Iran, Iraq, and Syria) and Eastern European countries such as Ukraine.
5. Quito, Ecuador’s capital, is the second highest capital city in the world
Quito is the first city recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
At an altitude of 2,489 meters above sea level, Quito is the second highest capital city in the world, following La Paz in Bolivia, which is situated at an altitude of 3,100 to 4,100 meters. Due to Ecuador’s unique geographical position, Quito is also the closest capital to the equator, built on four interconnected valleys and surrounded by volcanoes.
