Cotopaxi is the world's highest active volcano. Many cities and sites are integrated in the prestige Unesco World Heritage Sites. Such cities and best known places are the Galapagos Islands, and the city of Cuenca.
Quick facts
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Capital Quito Government Republic Currency US dollar (USD) Area total: 283,560 km2
water: 6,720 km2
land: 276,840 km2Population 13,547,510 (July 2006 est.) Language Spanish (official), Amerindian languages (especially Quechua) Religion Roman Catholic 95% Electricity 110-220V/60Hz (USA & European plugs) Calling Code +593 Internet TLD .ec Time Zone UTC-5
Regions
- Amazon (El Oriente)
- Andean Highlands (La Sierra)
- Coastal Lowlands (La Costa)
- Galápagos Islands
Cities
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Quito - Capital. Colonial City. Quito is one of the first UNESCO World Heritage Cities.
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Baños- The adventure capital of Ecuador. An active volcano and many hot spring mineral baths as its name implies.
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Cuenca- The third largest city in Ecuador. Cuenca was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Trust site.
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Guayaquil - Largest city in the country and largest port city.
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Manta - the most important seaport of the country.
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Otavalo - Small town only two hours north of Quito famous for its indigenous craft market.
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Riobamba -- Starting point of the famous train ride down the Nariz del Diablo and gateway to Mount Chimborazo, Ecuador's highest peak, whose summit is the furthest point on Earth from its centre.
Esmeraldas - One of the most popular beaches in Ecuador.
- Bahía de Caraquez - Another popular beach.
- Loja - the oldest colonial city.
- Sucumbios or Nueva Loja - a jungle centered city
Other destinations
- Agua Blanca
- Babahoyo
- Canoa -Small Beach Town
- Cotopaxi
- Galapagos Islands
- Guamote
- Guaranda
- Mindo -Cloudforest
- Montañita -Beach
- Papallacta -Hot Springs
- Piedra Blanca
- Puerto López -"Poor Man's Galapagos"
- Puyo -Jungle town
- Quilotoa Loop
- Salinas (Ecuador)
- Salinas de Guaranda
- San Luis de Pambil
- San Miguel
- Santo Domingo de los Colorades
- Tena -Jungle town
- Vilcabamba
Climate
Tropical along coast, becoming cooler inland at higher elevations; tropical in Amazonian jungle lowlands
History
The "Republic of the Ecuador" was one of three countries that emerged from the collapse of Gran Colombia in 1830 (the others being Colombia and Venezuela). Between 1904 and 1942, Ecuador lost territories in a series of conflicts with its neighbors. A border war with Peru that flared in 1995 was resolved in 1999..
Health
Ecuador is widely considered to be a developing country and health hazards are a significant issue. Of the most significant are foodborne illnesses, though they can easily be treated with digestive drugs such as antacids or antidiarrheals.
Bottled water is the key in Ecuador if you don't want to get sick. This doesn't only apply to foreigners who don't have the stomach for Ecuadorian food but also Ecuadorians who know that if they don't boil their water or drink it from the bottle that they can get very sick. As a result, it can be purchased almost everywhere (even in the most remote places) for well under $.025-.50. Water bottles are sometimes provided by hostels and hotels, which can be used for brushing teeth.
It is advisable to receive a typhoid vaccination, and possibly a yellow fever vaccination, depending on your specific area of travel.
Outside the major cities and tourist areas, malaria can be a problem along the coast during the rainy season.
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