Ecuador Landmarks
According to mathgeneral, Ecuador is the ideal holiday destination for many different tourist groups. There is a wide variety of different sights and attractions for a wide variety of interest groups, such as athletes, nature lovers, etc.
The Andes in particular are ideal for athletes, as you can set out on exciting trekking tours into the highlands from here. Nature lovers get their money’s worth on an expedition into the rainforest. But also those interested in history and culture do not miss out. You will certainly not be disappointed with the stories and sites of the Ecuadorian Indians. Beach holidaymakers can simply spend their vacation on the country’s Pacific coast.
An absolute must is a visit to the Galápagos Islands. There the national park and also the marine reserve of the island are of particular interest. Both belong to the UNESCO world natural heritage. The largest island in the group is just over 1000 kilometers from the Ecuadorian west coast. The island includes Santa Isabela, San Cristobal, San Salvador, Santa Maria and Santa Cruz.
If you are traveling in Ecuador, you should also visit the capital of the country. Quito is only twenty-two kilometers from the equator. Those who visit there will feel transported back to the time of the colonial rule of Ecuador without much imagination. The city was built on the Spanish model and is absolutely impressive due to its huge central plaza.
If you still don’t want to miss nature, you can find relaxation in many of the quiet gardens and parks. The old town of Quito is something special because of its diverse architecture. There is a variety of architecture to be seen here. Like from Spain, Flemish architectural styles, Moorish or pre-Columbian. All of these historic buildings have been declared World Heritage Sites by UNESCO.
In the old town, you should definitely take a look at the stone carving facade of the congress building. But also the Church of San Francisco, the Monastery Church of San Augustin and the Government Palace, such as the cathedral on Independence Square, should be seen. The absolute highlights are the view from the balcony of Guapulo and the Panecillo hill.
Cuenca, a colonial and world cultural city are definitely worth a detour. The city is located on the site of the former Inca city of Tomebamba. Cuenca is the third largest city in Ecuador and has many different sights, such as the flower market, the Todos Santos ruins, etc. But the main square with the old and new cathedral are also worth a visit.
Otavalo is known for its famous handicraft market. Here you can also get to know Havienda life. From the city you can make great trips to the 3000 meter high crater lake Lagune Cuicocha and the place of the same name, which is known for its quality leather goods.
Papallactais located at an altitude of 3300 meters and is popular with tourists for the relaxing thermal baths. The wonderful and impressive surroundings in particular increase the feel-good atmosphere.
The Cotopaxi National Park is also very interesting. Sports activities such as hiking, walking or horse riding are possible here. The park particularly impresses its visitors with its impressive landscape and the almost 6,000 meter high volcano.
The city of Guayaquil is according to western standards. It is the largest city in the country and the city’s port is the hub of various goods for the rest of the world. There is a particularly interesting city center here, with various palaces and sacred buildings. In the area there are some well-preserved fortresses from the colonial era that have now been converted into museums.
Galapagos Islands
The Galapagos Islands are best known for their unique natural beauty. The variety of plant species and the different animals that live here ensure that the Galapagos Islands enjoy a paradisiacal reputation worldwide.
The Galapagos Islands are far from the nearest patch of land in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. Administratively, the Galapagos Islands are part of Ecuador and form the Galapagos Province here.
The word Galapagos means, among other things, beaded saddle, but has nothing to do with horses or other mounts. But on the contrary. The name of the Galapagos Islands refers to the giant turtles that lay their eggs on the beach. The Galapagos is the name given to the turtle shell. In the case of the giant tortoise, this shell has a bulge-like attachment in the neck area.
The Galapagos archipelago is made up of 14 large and more than 100 small to tiny islands. Only five of the islands are currently inhabited. Around 21,700 people live permanently on the Galapagos Islands. There are also many tourists who want to spend a vacation here. However, the unofficial numbers look different. Many of the residents are illegal in the Galapagos Islands and it is estimated that there are almost 30,000 people in the Galapagos Islands. There are rules in the Galapagos Islands that are designed to control immigration and immigration. Unfortunately, there is no one here to enforce these rules.
The problem that arises from this is that the steadily growing population takes up more and more space. For this purpose, plants and trees are cleared to create the required space. As a result, over half of the animal species endemic here and almost every fifth of the endemic plant species are threatened with extinction. Illegal immigration therefore not only brings social problems with it, but also gradually destroys the unique nature of the Galapagos Islands.
