The
"Republic
of the Equator"
was one of three countries that emerged from the collapse of Gran
Colombia in 1830 (the others being Colombia and Venezuela). Between 1904
and 1942, Ecuador lost territories in a series of conflicts with its
neighbors. A border war with Peru that flared in 1995 was resolved in1999.
Ecuador lies nestled in the Andes Mountains with Colombia to the north
and Peru to the south. It is on the Equator from which it derives
its name. The jungles of the Amazon basin lie inland to the east whilst
the western coastline is on the Pacific Ocean. The Galapagos Islands
also belong to Ecuador. The country is split
into three main geographical regions - the eastern jungle, the central
Andean mountains and the western coastal zone
Ecuador has a lot of fascinating
indigenous cultures, well preserved colonial architecture,
otherworldly volcanic landscapes and dense rainforest, it packs its
perimeters with more points of interest than many countries twice its
size. From the beautiful capital Quito the immense Amazonian jungle can
be reached, as well as a snow swept ascent of an active volcano, a
sociable haggle with indigenous artesanos or a welcome wallow on a
tropical beach. And believe it or not, Ecuador is one of the smallest
countries in the Andes area.
The pride of Ecuador are, of course, the Galapagos
Islands. The Galapagos Islands lie 600
miles due west of Ecuador in South America.Owned by Ecuador since
1832, the far-flung islands are lauded as one of the world's greatest
natural history treasures, their unique diversity of plant and animal
life providing a living textbook for ecologists and oglers alike. As
the Garden of Eden of evolution, the Galapagos Islands are magnificent.
The Islands are underwater volcanic formations that surface as an
isolated paradise of flora and fauna. Where else can you coexist with
penguins, sea lions, iguanas and hundreds of other exotic species?
The amazing collection of volcanic islands, islets and rocks
straddles the Equator and plays host to a unique and spectacular
collection of wildlife. These animals and birds remain largely
unconcerned by the presence of man and the ever increasing numbers of
tourists. This creates a brilliant opportunity to see wildlife up
close.The islands originally began forming about 4
million years ago and are still being created today since this is one of
the most active volcanic areas in the world.The islands most
celebrated visitor was perhaps Charles Darwin,
who arrived in 1835 as the naturalist on board HMS Beagle, captained by
Robert Fitzroy who was engaged in producing accurate maps and charts of
the region. Darwin's reflections were later to form the inspiration for
the theory of evolution published in his major work On
the Origin of Species. However, the
islands were first discovered by Father Tomas Berlanga, the Bishop of
Panama, when his ship stalled and was carried accidentally to the
Galapagos whilst en route to Peru. The islands wildlife include
the celebrated Giant Tortoises that can live to well over a hundred
years of 
age. The almost prehistoric land and marine Iguana are abundant
and share the beaches and rocks with Sealions, Crabs and Penguins.
Sea birds include the Blue-Footed, Red-Footed and Masked Boobies as well
as the Magnificent Frigatebirds and many other spectacular species.
While on land. the spectacular Vermilion Flycatcher and the Yellow
Warbler add lots of colour.
The Amazon
jungle-rainforest is without a doubt natures greatest
achievement and it's great expanse contains more than 20% of the earth's
vascular plant species. There is also great opportunity to learn about
new cultures and their uses of the rainforestās medicinal plants. Here
you can find a monkey small enough to sit on your fingertip to the
world's largest snake, the anaconda.
