Ecuador

South America · wildlife · Galápagos

Right on the equator. Ecuador sits right where the equator line runs through South America, which is actually where it got its name. The word Ecuador means "equator" in Spanish.

Named for a famous mountain. The country's capital, Quito, sits high up in the Andes mountains at 9,350 feet above sea level. This makes it one of the highest capital cities in the world.

Home to the Galápagos. Ecuador owns the Galápagos Islands, which sit about 1,000 kilometers out in the Pacific Ocean. These islands are famous for their unique animals that you won't find anywhere else on Earth.

Packed with rainforests. The Amazon rainforest covers a huge part of eastern Ecuador and is home to thousands of species of plants and animals. This rainforest is one of the most biodiverse places on the planet.

Two major cities. Quito is the capital and sits in the highlands, while Guayaquil is the largest city and sits on the coast. Together they're the heart of Ecuador's culture and economy.