Ecuador: an amazing ancient tourist destination

 

Ecuador is a South American nation and is popular for its Galapagos Islands that are made of volcanic lava. But besides this, there is so much more that this country has to offer to the world in terms of tourism. It has both ancient and modern-day novelties and links that one can find amazing in this country.

The pyramids of Ecuador (Source: Pinterest) 

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1.      Ecuador has the oldest civilization in South America. There is the Las Vegas tribe that are its inhabitants. And these native people have resided in the area for more than 10k years now. The areas they populate are the modern-day Santa Elena which lies to the north of the Ecuadoran city of Guayaquil on the Pacific Coast.

Panama hats are actually from Ecuador (Source: Pinterest) 

2.      Ancient Pyramids also exist here like Egypt. These are located near the Equator and the famous one is that at Cochasqui. This site is very near the capital of the country, Quito. A drive of 52 kms and you reach the archaeological site. Many festivals and ceremonies are celebrated here.

3.      Many believe that the last king of Inca of pre-Columbian American times was half-Ecuadorian. His name was Atahualpa and his mother was the Princess of Reino de Quito and his father was Huayna Capac who resided in Quito. But Peruvians think otherwise. Their belief is that his mother was the Inca Princess who was born in Cuzco in Peru.

Orchids of Ecuador (Source: Pinterest) 

4.      Gold interiors of Church: There is a Church in Quito called The Iglesia de la Compania and it is a World Heritage Site of UNESCO. Its interior including the altar is made of precious metal gold. Worth seeing! Ecuador has a number of other sites on the list of the UNESCO world heritage sites.

5.      Ecuador is the home of Panama hats making. These famous hats originated in Ecuador and not Panama though they carry the latter’s name. They are called jipijapa, Toquilla, or Montecristi.

6.      Flora and Fauna: Ecuador has a rich variety of orchid species nearly 6000 and counting. These are spotted along the coast and also in the jungles. Besides, there are innumerable species of hummingbirds (over 130) found in this country.

Hummingbird (Source: Pinterest) 

And the famous Pinnochio lizard with a long proboscis is from this region. New types of lizards are being discovered and rediscovered every year. The Pinnochio lizard was thought to have become extinct around 4 decades back but it was again seen. This may be because many areas of Ecuador remain inaccessible and unexplored.

7.      The country has more than 20 indigenous languages!

Pinocchio lizard (Source: Getty Images) 

8.      The closest point of Earth to the Sun is in Ecuador and it is the Chimborazo Volcano near Riobamba.

9.      Ecuador earns through exports of bananas, oil, broccoli, roses, coffee, cacao, and also shrimps.

Ecuador has some amazing and wonderful features and is worth a visit!

Chimborazo volcano (Source: Pinterest)