Traveltips not only operates in Guayaquil, we also offer our customers a variety of travels throughout Ecuador.
GENERAL INFORMATION
| Official name: | The Republic of Ecuador |
| Capital city: | Quito |
| Land area: | 257,217 sq. km (99,312.04 sq. miles) |
| Mainland area: | 248,983.96 sq. km (96,132.87 sq. miles) |
| Galapagos Islands Area: | 8,233.11 sq. km (3,178.78 sq. miles) |
| National population to 2014: | 16,027,466 inhabitants |
| Official language: | Spanish |
| Business language: | Spanish – English |
| Currency: | US dollar |
| Religion: | Catholic 80% – Others 20% |
| Political structure: | 24 provinces |
| Mainland time zone: | GMT -5 |
| Galapagos Islands time zone: | GMT -6 |
| Country dialing code: | +593 |
Ecuador is small country in area, located northwest of South America; it is in the middle of the world at 0º0´0´´ over the Equator Line. It is an ideal country for travelers. It is multiethnic, multicultural and has rich flora and fauna with diverse ecosystems.
Ecuador has four regions, distributed as follows:
Ecuador has 6 UNESCO World Heritages:
- Quito
- Galapagos Islands
- Sangay National Park
- Cuenca
- The Inca Trail (Qhapaq Ñan)
- Traditional weaving of Toquilla Straw Hat
Hats known as Panama Hats are hand-woven in Ecuador from natural fibers, Palmata Carludovica.
In 1906, Theodore Roosevelt was photographed wearing a typical Ecuadorian hat while visiting the Panama Canal construction. His photograph traveled all around the world and since then started the mistaken name Panama hats to refer to Ecuadorian handmade hats. This timeless piece has covered many personalities’ heads such as Ernest Hemmingway, Winston Churchill, Harry Truman, and Paul Newman.
It has the Chimborazo, the highest volcano and mountain of Ecuador and of the world (20,702 feet above sea level), because it is the furthest point from Earth´s center, with a diameter greater than Mount Everest.
In addition, Ecuadorian roses are considered the best in the world for their quality, large buttons and beautiful colors: red, pink, yellow, lavender, purple.
Its largest cities are Guayaquil, Quito and Cuenca.
Guayaquil is the largest city and port of Ecuador, as well as its most important business center. It is located in the Coast and for being at sea level is the perfect gateway to the Galapagos Islands, the Andes and the Amazon region.
Quito is the capital of Ecuador; it is located in the Sierra region on the eastern slopes of Pichincha Volcano. It has one of the largest and best-preserved historic centers in the Americas.
Cuenca is considered the most European city of Ecuador due to its colonial architecture from the XVI and XVII centuries. It is located in the southern part of the Sierra region.
WEATHER
Each region has a variety of climates depending on the altitude. The same day you can enjoy winter and summer inside the country, since while it is winter in Quito, it is summer in Guayaquil. These cities are only 45-minutes flight away.
The Pacific coastal area has a tropical weather with an average annual temperature between 22º and 26º C (71.6º and 78.8º F), with rainfalls.
The weather in the Andean region varies between 0º (32º F) at the top of the Chimborazo and 25º (77º F) in the tropical Andean zone, and it is relatively dry.
The weather in the Amazon region varies between 22º and 26º C (71.6º and 78.8º F); it is wet and rainy.
The weather in Galapagos varies between 14º and 21º C (57.2º and 69.8º F) some parts are dry and others very cold, as in the high part of certain islands.
BIODIVERSITY
Ecuador is a privileged country, with the highest biodiversity per square kilometer worldwide.
Ecuador´s continental area has 15% of the world´s known bird species with 38 more endemic species in Galapagos. In addition it has over 16,000 plants species, 106 endemic reptiles, 6,000 species of butterflies and it is home of over 4,200 species of orchids.