Here are some awesome facts about Ecuador: 

Ecuador means “equator” in Spanish. It may not surprise you to find out that the country is called this is because the equator runs through it. The official name of the country is ‘República del Ecuador’ (Republic of the Equator). In fact, Ecuador is the only country in the world named after a geographical feature. Yasuni Park is one of the most bio-diverse places on the planet, this protected Ecuadorian National Park and Biosphere Reserve are located deep in the heart of Ecuador’s Amazon, it is home to species that are completely unique to the lands. Ecuador has more tree, amphibian, and bat species in only 100km than anywhere else in the world. The Galapagos Islands are famous thanks to Charles Darwin and his Theory of Evolution. The theory is centered around the finches of the islands. Darwin examined the way that the same species of bird had evolved differently on the 21 different islands of the Galapagos. It is a fact of Ecuador that Darwin’s research put them ‘on the map’. Cacao has been grown in South and Central America for centuries and has long been a staple of Ecuador’s national and cultural heritage, often used for its anti-inflammatory properties and other medical benefits. Research shows that chocolate has been consumed here for nearly 5,000 years. Recent studies have indicated that Ecuador might even be the original source of cacao.. Ecuador is known as the orchid capital of the world. It has over 4,000 species of these beautiful plants. With over 25,000 species of the plant worldwide. The Architecture of Ecuador has seen a lot of influences over the years, the larger cities especially. In the center of Quito, there is the Old Town. The Old Town is one of Ecuador first UNESCO protected sites. Bananas are an undeniable staple of Ecuadorian diets and cuisine. With around 300 different types of bananas growing in the country. This is one of the best Ecuador facts for nature lovers. Ecuador has more birds per square kilometer than anywhere else in the world. Ecuador is home to four distinct regions. The Mountains, The Coast, The Amazon and the famous Galapagos Islands. Each region has its own unique culture, everything from clothes to food varies. In Fact, in Ecuador, even languages used vary- particularly in rural indigenous communities.