EcuadorEcuador

Ecuador is in South America. Ecuador is in South America. The capital is Quito.The capital is Quito.

Climate: Due to Ecuador's varied regions and because it is located on the equator, it is an Climate: Due to Ecuador's varied regions and because it is located on the equator, it is an excellent travel destination year-round. Rather than rotating through four seasons, most excellent travel destination year-round. Rather than rotating through four seasons, most of Ecuador experiences oscillating wet and dry periods. of Ecuador experiences oscillating wet and dry periods. The general weather trends for each region are as follows: The general weather trends for each region are as follows:

El Oriente (Amazon region) normally has a warm, El Oriente (Amazon region) normally has a warm, humid and rainy climate. The average humid and rainy climate. The average temperature varies from 23 to 26 C (72 to 80 F). temperature varies from 23 to 26 C (72 to 80 F). The drier season is generally November to The drier season is generally November to February but varies by region. February but varies by region.

La Sierra (Andean Highlands), though on the La Sierra (Andean Highlands), though on the equator, is generally cooler than most people equator, is generally cooler than most people would expect. The climate in the Andes varies would expect. The climate in the Andes varies according to the altitude and the time of the year. according to the altitude and the time of the year. In Quito the temperature ranges from 7 degrees In Quito the temperature ranges from 7 degrees C (55 F) at night, to 26 C (78 F) at noon, C (55 F) at night, to 26 C (78 F) at noon, averaging 15 C (64 F). averaging 15 C (64 F).

La Costa's (Coastal lowlands) climate is La Costa's (Coastal lowlands) climate is usually very warm with temperatures usually very warm with temperatures averaging 25 degrees C (76 F) to 31 C (90 averaging 25 degrees C (76 F) to 31 C (90 F) during the year. The rainy season F) during the year. The rainy season (December to May) is warm and very (December to May) is warm and very humid. The dry season is less humid but humid. The dry season is less humid but still a little muggy. still a little muggy.

The Galapagos Islands enjoy warm and dry The Galapagos Islands enjoy warm and dry weather year-round, with an average weather year-round, with an average temperature of 28º C. (85 F). temperature of 28º C. (85 F).

Mitad del Mundo: near QuitoMitad del Mundo: near Quito

The 30-meter-tall monument, built between 1979 and 1982, was constructed The 30-meter-tall monument, built between 1979 and 1982, was constructed to mark the point where the equator was thought to pass through the to mark the point where the equator was thought to pass through the country at the time. In fact, a line down the center of the east-facing country at the time. In fact, a line down the center of the east-facing staircase, and across the plaza, was meant to mark the equator, and staircase, and across the plaza, was meant to mark the equator, and countless tourists over the years have had their pictures taken straddling countless tourists over the years have had their pictures taken straddling this line. Also, residents said that among other things, placing one foot in this line. Also, residents said that among other things, placing one foot in the northern hemisphere and the other foot in the southern hemisphere the northern hemisphere and the other foot in the southern hemisphere makes you stand right in the equator and weigh less at the equator. makes you stand right in the equator and weigh less at the equator. However, the entire structure is about 240 meters south of the true However, the entire structure is about 240 meters south of the true equator, which was not precisely located until recently, with the advent of equator, which was not precisely located until recently, with the advent of GPS technology. GPS technology.

Otavalo: Otavalo: The largest craft market in the The largest craft market in the Hemisphere, perhaps in the world!Hemisphere, perhaps in the world!

BañosBaños

Hemmed in by luxuriant green peaks, Hemmed in by luxuriant green peaks, blessed with steaming thermal blessed with steaming thermal baths and adorned by a beautiful baths and adorned by a beautiful waterfall, Baños is one of waterfall, Baños is one of Ecuador’s most enticing and Ecuador’s most enticing and popular tourist destinations. popular tourist destinations. Ecuadorians and foreigners alike Ecuadorians and foreigners alike flock to this idyllically set town to flock to this idyllically set town to hike, soak in the baths, ride hike, soak in the baths, ride mountain bikes, zip around on mountain bikes, zip around on rented quad-runners, volcano-rented quad-runners, volcano-watch, party and break their watch, party and break their molars on the town’s famous molars on the town’s famous milcochamilcocha (taffy). Touristy as it is, (taffy). Touristy as it is, it’s a wonderful place to hang out it’s a wonderful place to hang out for a few days, complementing for a few days, complementing outdoor-activity days with outdoor-activity days with excellent dining out.excellent dining out.

LlapingachosLlapingachosLlapingacho originated in Ecuador’s Llapingacho originated in Ecuador’s

Highlands. It is a fried, mashed Highlands. It is a fried, mashed plantain or potato surrounding a plantain or potato surrounding a center of cheese which is center of cheese which is generally served with sausage generally served with sausage and fried eggs. Also, it is and fried eggs. Also, it is typically served with avocado on typically served with avocado on the side. This plate forms part of the side. This plate forms part of Ecuadorian's culture, and is one Ecuadorian's culture, and is one of the representative icons of of the representative icons of the Highlands food. Llapingacho the Highlands food. Llapingacho was later popular not only in was later popular not only in Ecuador's Highland but also in Ecuador's Highland but also in the Ecuador's coast and eastern the Ecuador's coast and eastern provinces. In this way, provinces. In this way, Llapingacho became a typical Llapingacho became a typical Ecuadorian plate enjoyed not Ecuadorian plate enjoyed not only by its inhabitants, but also only by its inhabitants, but also by people from abroad.by people from abroad.