Ecuador translates to the equator. That is because this South American country is one of 13 countries located on the equator. The country has a land area of 283,561 square kilometers (70 million acres) occupied by over 17 million people.
One significant area that comes to people’s minds when talking about Ecuador is the Galapagos Islands. This archipelago comprises volcanic islands distributed within the two sides of the equator. This island is known around the world for its biodiversity. When it comes to tourism, it is known for its beaches and vibrant marine resources. Meanwhile, when people talk about Panama hats, the country of Panama comes to mind immediately. However, this common Southern American hat was made in Ecuador since the 1500s. It was even added to the UNESCO Intangible Heritage List under Ecuador. The only reason it bore the name of Panama was that Panama exported the hats to various countries around the world in the 1800s.
Ecuador is also the largest exporter of bananas in the world. There must be something in the Ecuadorian soil, which makes plant life rich and abundant. There are so many different plants that thrive in the entire country. Flowers, for example, are so abundant that the country exports it around the world. Ecuador is the third-largest explorer of flowers across the globe. The rose, for example, has over 400 varieties found in the country, which is also known as the Orchid Capital of the World. There are more than 4,000 species of orchids in Ecuador and around 400 more that are in the process of classification.
Animal life in Ecuador is just as abundant. There is an abundance of guinea pigs in Ecuador, but this is also for commercial purposes. The guinea pig, locally known as cuy, is a local delicacy. In the Ecuadorian wild, though, there are over 132 species of hummingbirds—this is already 40% of the world’s hummingbird species. The country also has the most number of bird species in the world: 1,640.
Ecuador’s flora and fauna should be reasons enough for tourists to visit the country and some of its national parks:
1. Cayambe Coca Ecological Reserve
Established in 1970, this park is named after the Cayambe Volcano, which is also its centerpiece. At 5,790 meters, this is the third-highest landform in the country. The volcano is just majestic to look at. It hasn’t been active in over 200 years. It is also permanently snow-capped, which just adds to its picturesque nature.
Among the park’s animal residents are armadillos, deer, foxes, rabbits, and spectacled bears. Although not as commonly sighted, there are also cougars, culpeos, and mountain tapirs. There are also raptors commonly sighted flying in the sky: Andean condors and viable hawks. The park also houses over 100 species of endemic plants. Vegetation in the area generally ascribes to cloud forests, grasslands, and paramo. Specifically, there are bunchgrasses, ferns, and lycopods in the park.
2. Llanganates National Park
The park is famous for the Treasure of the Llanganates, which are supposedly gold, silver, platinum, and other important artifacts hidden under the mountain range. But exploration does not exactly come easy within this park so it is not that common. However, an international team comprising representatives from America, Britain, France, and Ecuador, explored the mountains in 2013 and uncovered a large structure of 260 feet by 260 feet in size. The structure is said to be made of stone blocks. There was no gold or silver found.
Aside from the possible wealth of elements, the park has a wealth of flora and fauna from its mountains and high valleys. The park is known for its population of camelids: alpacas, llamas, and vicuñas.
3. Machalilla National Park
Beach lovers would love this park because not only will they be able to enjoy the sandy marine resources, there are also forests and islands to explore. The bigger islands within the park’s territory are Isla de la Plata and Salango. The park also hosts various lakes and wetlands, the latter getting the attention of the Ramsar Convention for its ecological importance.
Among the park’s animal residents are armadillos and monkeys, along with a large population of birds. This is only one of two places in Ecuador—Galapagos Island being the second area—where the waved albatross nests. The marine part of Machalilla is also the best place to spot humpback whales.
In terms of plants, the park is home to some kapok trees, palo santo trees, and an abundance of prickly pear.
4. Sumaco Napo-Galeras National Park
Birders should visit this park, which is home to close to 20% of the total bird species found in the entire country. Among the rare birds that abound in the park are bicolored antvireo, coppery-chested jacamar, military macaw, and spot-winged parrotlet. As for mammals, the park is the home of giant anteaters, jaguars, mountain tapirs, pumas, and spectacled bears.
The park is located in the provinces of Napo, Orellano, and Sucumbios. While the wildlife in the park is pretty exciting, its centerpiece is Sumaco Volcano, an asymmetrical stratovolcano. It is distinct from the other volcanoes in the country because of its more basanite features rather than andesitic.
5. Yacuri National Park
This is the youngest among Ecuador’s 11 national parks. It is located between the provinces of Loja and Zamora Chinchipe. The mountains in the park are blanketed with lush vegetation of different types of ecosystems: Eastern Andean cloud forest, high-altitude Eastern Andean evergreen forest, Southern Andean brush plains, and Southern Andean dry mountain bushes. When it comes to water bodies, the headwaters of Catamayo-Chira and Chinchipe-Mayo rivers are found within the park, which is also home to over 45 high-altitude lakes.
The park provides significant habitat for animals, which are considered to be low in population: mountain tapirs and spectacled bears, which are considered endangered species, and cougars, considered as a vulnerable species.
The park is also an important hiking destination and the famous Inca Trail passes through the park.