Ecuador is a fascinating and beautiful country! In addition to the vibrant culture, the country boasts an incredible environment. There are very few places in the world that even compare.
Do you want to learn some interesting facts about Ecuador? There is so much to know! Even if you aren’t planning on traveling there, it never hurts to gain some more knowledge.
Keep reading on to find out some cool facts about Ecuador!
1. It Has Such a Biodiverse Environment
When you need a change of scenery, there isn’t a better place to visit than Ecuador. It’s among the most biodiverse countries in the world! For nature lovers, this is one of the best Ecuador facts to learn.
The country is home to more than 5,000 unique species of plants and animals that don’t exist anywhere else. Because of this, Ecuador is considered megadiverse! It’s only one of 17 countries that can claim this.
2. There Are Four Main Regions
If you’re thinking about visiting Ecuador, you should know there are four geographical regions in the country. Three of them — the Amazon, mountains, and coast — are continental. The fourth is the Galapagos Islands.
While the four regions form one country, they each have their own culture and languages. In fact, the Ecuadorian government recognizes 14 indigenous languages as official regional dialects.
If you want to explore the region, consider looking at Ecuador Adventures trips for family vacations. That way, you’ll get to see it all!
3. Ecuador Means “Equator” in Spanish
It’s time for a quick lesson on Spanish! Ecuador translates to “equator” in the language, but this isn’t a strange coincidence.
The equator is the imaginary horizontal line that separates Earth’s two hemispheres, Northern and Southern. The line runs right through Ecuador, which explains the choice of name!
4. It Inspired Darwin’s Theory of Evolution
Have you heard of Charles Darwin? He was a famous biologist known for his Theory of Evolution. One of the most interesting things to know about Ecuador is that it inspired this theory!
In 1835, Darwin visited the islands to study and research a species of bird. As he observed them, he eventually developed his widely-known theory. Without his discoveries on the islands, this research might not exist!
5. It’s the Closest Country to Space
One of the most fun facts about Ecuador to know is that it’s the closest country to space! Thanks to Earth’s magnetic poles, there is a bulge that sits around the planet’s equator. That bulge is more elevated than the rest of Earth’s surface.
The tallest mountain in Ecuador, Mount Chimborazo, also sits along the equator due to the country’s geographical location. So, that makes the mountain’s peak the closest point to space!
Don’t Forget These Interesting Facts About Ecuador
Hopefully, you learned something new! For such a small country, there are still so many interesting facts about Ecuador. Keep them in mind for your next vacation there, or use them for a trivia night!
Do you want to keep learning more about other countries? Check out some other articles on our website to satisfy your wanderlust!
