Ecuador is one of the smallest countries in South America but no doubt offers the greatest variety in culture. You find more Indigenous communities within its limits than anywhere else in the Americas. The traditional dress of many groups is still worn as every day wear. Held weekly are markets of merchandise ranging from fruits, vegetables, flourescent coloured textiles to animals such as Guineau Pigs and Llammas, all holding true to centuries old commercial values. Imagine wandering the streets of high Andean towns, or browsing the markets to barter, among brightly dressed locals clad in textiles of brilliant colours and beaded necklaces gleaning in the Andean sunchine.
Ecuador´s deep Indigenous hisstory i accented by the easlth of Colonial history openly visible in the Colonial architecture and lartifacts. The hearts of citties such as Quito, Cuenca and Ibarra are visions of days gone by with narrow cobblestone sstreets lined by Colinial buildings dating as far back as sthe 16th and 17th centuries. Many of the buildings have been spectacularly well kept or restored to original blends of Spanish, Moorish, Baroque and Pre-Columbian architectural designs.
Although Ecuador itself is a lilving museum and information center, a wide variety of well displayed and informative museums rich in Religious history -Indigienous and Christian, and archeological are often found in buildings such as Colonial covents or homes.
Ecuador is pleasant surprise to the nature lover. Geographically located on the Equator, one expects this small country to be a blanket of hot and jumid tropical forest. Yes, the north coastal region certainlly reaches within these boundaries as the Andean range shoots to the sky leaving a narrow coastal band of tropical forest wiith veins of rivers cutting rapidly to the sandy beach coastline. The south coastal region is equally narrow but arid dry, just one of the many topographic contrasts found in this small corner of the world.
The Andean range literaly rockets up from the coastal region to peaks well over 5000m in altitude creating a cool confortable climate in large high altitude valleys. Snow capped volcanoes offer spectacular scenery throughout the Sierra (highland) region. The high altitude light is great for picture taker, the greens of mountain slopes blanketed with farmers fields contrast beautifully against the brilliant blue sky.
The Amazon basin is a vast jungle region stretching to what seems an eternity. The fast flowing tributaries draining the high Andes eventually give birth to the mighty Amazon. An absolute fantasy land of torrwering virgin forest alive with an array of colorful birds and animals. Many Indigenous groups have lived in this dense carpet of flora for centuries.
The Galapagos are a world famous group of volcanic islands belonging to Ecuador. Isolated from outside interference, the wildlife in this open air laboratory shows no fear of humans. This creates the atmosphere of a zoo without bars, a unique experience enabling the stranger to learn about the interesting and sometimes bizarre animals and vegetation which has evolved in this one of a kindd habitat.
