|
|
 |
|
 |
|
Covering 192,279 sq. miles, Ecuador is the
smallest of the Andean counties and contains
some of the most varied geography in South
America. There are four distinct regions:
the Andean highlands, the Coastal tropical
plain, the Amazon basin, and the Galapagos
Islands, situated in the Pacific Ocean some
1,000 Km. (620 miles) due west from the mainland.
The capital city of Ecuador is Quito. |
|
|
Among
more then 12 million citizens, those in the
highland cities are a mixture of European
and Indian stock. Most of the Indian people
live in small mountain settlements or in the
Amazon regions .Along the coast the mix is
Indian, European and African.
|
|
|
Ecuador
has two official languages: Spanish and Quechua,
the lingua franca of the Inca Empire. English
is spoken in major visitor centers.
|
|
|
|
|
Even though Quito and the central highlands
are on or near the equator
The altitude is between 7,000 and 10,000 ft. and
the weather is surprisingly comfortable all year
round.
The driest months there are July to October when
temperatures are in the 70s during the day, and
in the 50s when the sun goes down.
During the rest of the year,
Expect some kind of afternoon showers.
On the coast, the average temperature is 83-F,
whit the hot, rainy season from November to May.
The dry season is from June to December. Take
cotton or tropical clothing whit a shawl, sweater
or light jacket for cooler evenings and air conditioned
restaurants.
A sun hat and sun glasses are recommended.
Then in the jungle, tropical temperatures average
around 82-F. Rainfall is constant almost all year
round, especially from May through November. However,
at this time, most of the rivers in the jungle
are navigable.
|
|
| TAIR
SERVICE AND DEPARTURE TAX |
| |
|
International
Airport in Quito is "Mariscal Sucre"(5
miles from city) downtown and in Guayaquil is "Simon
Bolivar" (3 miles from the city), either one
of these airports, or both, are served by the most
important International Airlines. |
|
|
The Pan-American
Highway stretch from north to south passing through
Quito whit branches to Guayaquil and other cities
on the Coast and the Amazon Basin. There is a regular
bus service, connecting the main cities and smaller
towns.
|
|
|
Travelers
with heart conditions or high blood pressure should
check with their family doctor about high-altitude
travel. In Quito the water is advisable everywhere
else.
|
|
|
Eastern
Standard GMT-5 and no daylight saving time. In the
Galapagos Islands, GMT-6.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
