Introduction

Fun facts about Ecuador include its being one of the most biodiverse places on the planet. Ecuador is also the only country named after a geographical feature (the Equator), which makes it even more fascinating. From its bountiful landscapes to its enthralling culture, Ecuador has several surprises. These fun facts about Ecuador will blow your mind.

Ecuador Named After the Equator: Why?

However, a fun fact unique to Ecuador is that it is the only country on Earth named after the Equator, which crosses the northern part of the country. To ensure the purpose of your trip is fulfilled, you can step on the well-known Mitad del Mundo (Middle of the World) monument so that one foot is in the Northern Hemisphere and the other is in the Southern Hemisphere!

💡 Did you know? Gravity at the Equator is slightly less than that of the rest of the world, which means you weigh just a little bit less!

The US dollar is Ecuador’s currency:

One of the most useful Ecuador fun facts is that it has used the United States dollar as its official currency since 2000. These measures have helped stabilize its economy and facilitate travel for US tourists.

💡 Fun fact about Ecuador: Although the official currency is US dollars, which can be used there, Ecuador also has coins, which are only valid in that country.

The Galápagos Islands Are Part of Ecuador

One of Ecuador’s most famous fun facts is that it is home to the world-famous Galápagos Archipelago. These islands are home to species found nowhere else, like giant tortoises, marine iguanas and blue-footed boobies.

💡 Did you know? Indeed, Darwin found inspiration for his theory of evolution while studying the distinctive biodiversity of the Galápagos Islands in Ecuador.

Ecuador Has Four Distinct Geographic Areas

Fun fact about Ecuador: Even though it is small, it has four distinct regions:

• Amazon Rainforest: Indigenous tribes and various exotic animals
• Andes Mountains: Home to breathtaking volcanoes and beautiful highland villages
• Pacific Coast: Known for its scenic beaches and fresh seafood
• Galápagos Islands: As per the UNESCO World Heritage site, it is a diverse wildlife spectacle

💡 Did you know?  Ecuador is a country where you can visit the jungle, mountains, and the beach all in one day!

Quito Is the World’s Highest Capital City

One of Ecuador’s shocking fun facts is that its capital, Quito, is the world’s highest official capital city at 9,350 feet (2,850 meters) above sea level.

💡 Fun fact about Ecuador: Quito’s historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site!

Ecuador Is Home to More Than 30 Active Volcanoes

Perhaps one of Ecuador’s craziest facts is that it is home to over 30 active volcanoes, including Cotopaxi, one of the tallest active volcanoes in the world!

💡 Did you know? An interesting fact about Ecuador is that Cotopaxi last erupted in 2015 and is under constant surveillance.

The Guinea Pig Is a Delicacy in Ecuador

Did you know that one of the biggest surprises for visitors to Ecuador is the presence of guinea pig (known as cuy in Ecuador), a traditional local dish? It has been consumed in the Incan region for centuries!

💡 Did you know? Ecuadorian cuisine features the guinea pig (cuy), which is typically served whole and roasted for special occasions.

Ecuador Is Home to the Closest Point to Space

Due to the planet’s bulge at the Equator, Mount Chimborazo, Ecuador’s highest mountain, is the closest point on Earth to outer space.

💡 Did you know? This little-known fun fact about Ecuador also means that the summit of Chimborazo is more than 6,500 feet farther from the Earth’s centre than Mount Everest!

Ecuadorian Straw Hats Are Called Panama Hats

A false fun fact about Ecuador is that Panama hats are not from Panama — they come from Ecuador! They came to be incorrectly called “Panamas,” referring to the workers who wore them as they built the Panama Canal.

💡 Fun fact about Ecuador: Authentic Panama hats are hand-woven, and some take a few months to create!

Ecuador Produces Some of the World’s Best Chocolate

A tasty tidbit about Ecuador is that it produces some of the finest cacao beans on the planet — the ones found in premium chocolates.

💡 Here is another Ecuador fun fact: Ecuadorian cacao beans have been famed since the 1600s!

The Amazon Rainforest covers a Third of Ecuador

In an eco-friendly fun fact, Ecuador’s territory includes a third of the Amazon Rainforest, the habitat for Indigenous tribes and rare wildlife.

💡 Did you know? Some Indigenous tribes living in the Ecuadorian Amazon have had little or no contact with modern civilization.

Ecuador Has a Special New Year’s Tradition

Ecuadorians hope to leave bad luck behind and light up the new year with a New Year’s tradition known as “años viejos”, or old years, the cultural fun fact for Ecuador.

💡 Fun fact about Ecuador: These effigies are frequently dressed up as celebrities, politicians, or cartoon characters!

Ecuador Is among the Most Biodiverse Nations

Rounding up all this extreme biodiversity, Ecuador is home to over 1,600 bird species, 4,500 butterfly species, and amazing plants and animals.

💡 Did you know?  Ecuador makes it one of the 17 megadiverse countries in the world!

Encebollado Is Ecuador’s National Dish

One fun, tasty tidbit about Ecuador: its national dish, Encebollado, is a fish soup topped with onions and yuca. Many Ecuadorians consider it a hangover cure!

💡  Ecuadorian food fact: Encebollado is eaten anytime, for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

Conclusion

Ecuador is a land of surprises, a country with a colourful past and stunning scenery. These fun facts about Ecuador highlight its quirky qualities, from volcanoes to chocolate. If you go, venture around its diverse regions, sample the scrumptious food, and immerse yourself in its culture.

💡 So, which fun facts about Ecuador surprised you the most? Let us know in the comments!