Ecuador is a South American state, which is famous for tracing the very equator line through itself. But Ecuador attracts tourists no longer with this, but with a number of interesting and unique sights that are scattered all over the country. Some of them are of world importance.
Natural places of interest in Ecuador
Among the numerous islands of Ecuador, each of which is remarkable for its beauty, the Galapagos Islands are especially interesting. This is a real archipelago of volcanic islands. They are in the eastern part of the Pacific Ocean, 1,000 kilometers from Ecuador. The ecosystem of these places is so amazing that it is known all over the world, besides the legendary theory of Charles Darwin was born precisely in the Galapagos Islands . These places pushed the scientist to the idea of natural selection. Visiting an island or flying over it in a helicopter, you will see giant turtles, sea iguanas, sea lions, penguins and many other interesting animals that live in a natural environment.
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Continuing the theme of volcanoes should be said about one of the largest in Ecuador, and not only, the volcano. The Cotopaxi is a unique volcano, which affects by its size - 5,897 meters in height, as well as the number of eruptions - more than 50 since 1738. In addition, it is one of the few equatorial world glaciers. Cotopaxi is an amazing sight, which some call Ecuador's main attraction.
Another interesting place that is known to many tourists seeking thrills is Tena , the capital of the province of Napo. It is located in the tropical forests of the Amazon and it is from this place that many trips to the jungle begin. The city is surrounded by forests and hills, so it is better to find a better place for rafting and kayaking.
National parks of Ecuador
Having such a diverse landscape, it is not surprising that Ecuador has several reserves worthy of attention. One of the most important in the Amazon is the Caibeno Reserve , which is located in the foothills of the Andes. The park can be considered young, because it was founded in 1979, but it did not stop it from becoming a home for 500 species of birds and 15 species of monkeys. There you can see an anaconda, caimans and many other animals. Kaybeno is notable for the fact that it connects eight ecosystems, and therefore visit it is incredibly interesting and informative.
The second amazing reserve is Kahas . This park is famous for its mountain lakes, which are connected with each other by hiking trails. Fans of hiking will like this place. Also, tourists-travelers like to visit the waterfall with the interesting name "Devil's Cauldron". It is located near Banyos , just one kilometer from the main road, which makes it incredibly accessible. Its amazing name is the beautiful waterfall from the tunnel, thanks to which you can look at the tones of falling water from the back. Once between a white wall of water and a black rock, you will feel yourself in a real cauldron, and the splashes and thunder of the waterfall will make the moment of staying in it unforgettable.
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Also worth mentioning among others is the nature reserve in Guayaquil , which is known in Ecuador as the Parque Iguan (Park Bolivar) . The name fully reveals its purpose. Walking around the reserve, you will not even notice how hundreds of pairs of iguanas' eyes are watching you, crawling on the ground or resting on trees. They are so used to people that they are not afraid of them. Visitors have the opportunity to see predatory lizards in the natural environment and observe them from a short distance. They are fed with cabbage leaves and this process is more like the feeding of domestic animals, since they are well-known and accustomed to caretakers, besides they do not need to manifest themselves as a predator.
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Churches and temples
Religion in Ecuador has a Roman Catholic origin, so 95% of the inhabitants are Catholics, and thanks to the deep history of the country there is a lot of amazing chrome. One such is the church of San Francisco , which is located in the capital of Ecuador - Quito . The history of the temple is legendary, because its construction began in 1550 on the very place where the palace of the ruler of Inca Atahualpa used to be. The church complex is located on two blocks and "absorbs" even the museum. The Church plays an important role in the religious and cultural life of Latin America, therefore it is the main attraction of Ecuador.
The third largest city is the city of Cuenca , which is also colonial. This city is loved by tourists, because there is a temperate climate all year round, which contributes to excellent rest at any time of the year. Once in Cuenca, you can not pass by the Cathedral of Cuenca, it is the most recognizable landmark of the city, which makes it mandatory to visit. The cathedral has three huge domes, covered with glazed tiles, made in Czechoslovakia. The temple has incredible beauty and perfectly demonstrates the architecture of the late XVIII century, in which he began his "birth."
One of the most valuable in the literal and figurative sense is the Church of the Society of Jesus, called "La Iglesia de la Compania de Jesus . " You can find it in the heart of Quito. The church was built in the beginning of the 16th century, and its architecture is executed in the style of the classical Baroque in the New World. The main material for the decor was chosen gold leaf.
What else to see in Ecuador?
Near Quito is the city of San Antonio, which houses an amazing landmark - "Mid-World . " Agree, this name can not leave indifferent any tourist, besides this monument is really installed in the middle of the world. It has 30 meters in height, so it looks really impressive.
Ecuadorians like to give names to occult places with an occult attitude. Therefore it is not surprising that, even at first glance, the common railroad that connects the cities of Alausi and Simbambe is called "The Devil's Nose" . She was so nicknamed because of the difficult and long construction, during which many human lives were lost. Locals look at the most striking engineering project in Ecuador with sorrow, and tourists hurry to climb the railroad to enjoy the beautiful panoramic view revealing the extraordinary landscapes of Ecuador in all its beauty.
The best viewing platform with a view of Quito is Pansillo Hill , where the statue of the Virgin Mary is located - an important cultural architectural project of Ecuador. It is here that many tourists seek, this place is symbolic and, of course, fabulously beautiful.
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