Ecuador is one of the most fascinating countries in the world. This small South American nation is filled with adventure, stunning scenery, fun-loving people, and some truly mind-bending physics. Ecuador’s location right on the equator gives it some quirks not found anywhere else on Earth.
From water that doesn’t swirl down drains to mountains closer to the moon than Everest, Ecuador is nature’s wildest physics laboratory. Add in the famous Galapagos Islands with their one-of-a-kind wildlife, and you have the perfect destination for curious travelers seeking the unexpected.
Table of Contents
The Equator – Where Gravity Gets Weird
The main reason behind Ecuador’s wacky physics is the equator line that runs right through the middle of the country. This invisible line divides the Earth into two equal northern and southern hemispheres.
As the Earth rotates at over 1,000 miles per hour, there is a centrifugal force that pulls outward. This force is strongest at the equator and makes gravity slightly weaker there. The decreased gravity leads to some truly odd effects that can only be experienced in Ecuador.
Funny Shadows and Water that Won’t Swirl
Right on the equator during noon, you can stand in a spot where your shadow completely disappears. There are marked places where you can try this and be amazed as you become a shadowless figure when the sun is directly overhead.
Pour water straight down the drain in one of these equatorial spots, and it won’t spiral clockwise or counter-clockwise like usual. Instead, the water goes straight down without any vortex rotation. This happens because the Coriolis force caused by the Earth’s spin is weakest at the equator.
If you drop leaves from your hand, they will flutter straight down with barely any rotational movement. No matter how you try, the weakened gravitational pull keeps everything going straight up and down.
Balancing Challenges
The decreased gravity makes it incredibly difficult to balance or walk a straight line right on the equator. People will stumble and fall over trying to put one foot directly in front of the other. Your inner ear gets confused by the change in gravity and can’t properly orient you.
Some equator monuments have a marked balancing line. Give it a try but don’t be surprised when you can’t make it more than a few steps without tipping over! Locals find great amusement in watching tourists wobble and flail around.
Earth’s Bulge – Closest to Outer Space
The centrifugal force causes the Earth to bulge outwards slightly at the equator. This means mountains along the equator are measurably closer to space than anywhere else on Earth.
For adventurers who want to get as high as possible without actually going to space, Ecuador is the spot. You can climb closer to the heavens here than anywhere else.
Mount Chimborazo – Closest Point to the Moon
The highest mountain in Ecuador is Chimborazo, located about 100 miles south of the capital Quito. At 20,564 feet elevation, it’s not the world’s tallest peak. But due to Earth’s equatorial bulge, it is the closest point on Earth’s surface to the moon.
Chimborazo’s summit is an astonishing 1.5 miles farther from the Earth’s core than Mt. Everest’s. That makes it the closest place to deep space on the planet.
Climbing Chimborazo is not easy. The lower slopes are gradual, but the upper parts require technical climbing skills. The peak also has dangerously thin air due to the extreme altitude.
But if you want to get as physically close to the moon as you possibly can without going to space, Chimborazo is your mountain. Just be prepared with proper acclimatization, gear, guides, and training before attempting the summit.
Quito – World’s Highest Elevation Capital City
Ecuador’s capital city of Quito also benefits from the bulging equator. At 9,350 feet elevation, Quito is the second highest capital city in the world after La Paz, Bolivia.
Living in such lofty elevations has advantages and challenges. On the plus side, you get spectacular views of surrounding mountains and volcanoes. The thin air at this altitude makes stars sparkle brighter at night.
But that lack of oxygen means you tire more quickly in Quito. New arrivals often get winded easily, suffer headaches, and have trouble sleeping until acclimated.
Cars run slower in Quito to account for the lesser air density. Electronics and batteries drain faster up this high. And with intense equatorial sunshine just a few miles closer, it’s easy to get sunburnt if unprotected.
Still, Quito is a must-visit capital with its well-preserved colonial center designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city enjoys springlike weather year-round and is surrounded by awe-inspiring Andean scenery.
The Unique Wildlife of the Galapagos Islands
Beyond Ecuador’s wacky physics and lofty capital, the country also includes the world-famous Galapagos Islands. Located over 600 miles off the Ecuadorian coast, the Galapagos are one of the most pristine and protected island groups on Earth.
The Galapagos’ extreme isolation allowed unique animal species to develop over millions of years. As a result, there are over 9,000 species on the Galapagos, with over 50% found nowhere else on the planet.
Some of the wildlife highlights unique to the Galapagos include:
Giant Tortoises
The giant tortoise is the largest tortoise species on Earth, with some individuals weighing over 500 pounds. They evolved to their massive size due to the abundance of plant food on the islands with no natural predators. Galapagos tortoises can live over 100 years.
Marine Iguanas
The marine iguana is the world’s only seagoing lizard. They thrive on the Galapagos, foraging underwater for algae and seaweed. To remove excess salt, they sneeze out concentrated brine from glands in their noses.
Blue-Footed Boobies
These goofy-looking seabirds have bright blue feet used for ostentatious mating dances. They stamp their vivid feet to attract the attention of potential partners. You’ll see boobies doing silly prancing dances all over the islands.
Galapagos Penguins
Penguins in the tropics? Yep, the Galapagos penguin is the only penguin species that lives north of the equator. They evolved smaller bodies to regulate heat as they fish in the warmer equatorial waters.
Sea Lions
Playful sea lions will swim right up to you, curious to check you out. Found throughout the islands, they lounge about beaches by the dozens. Snorkel nearby, and you’re likely to find sea lions joining you to play and twirl in the water.
The wildlife of the Galapagos evolved in isolation over eons with no fear of humans. Charles Darwin visited the islands in 1835 and was inspired to develop his famous theory of evolution.
The Ecuadorian government declared the Galapagos a national park in 1959. UNESCO then designated the islands as a World Heritage Site in 1978. Access is tightly controlled and limited to protect this natural wonderland.
Visitors explore the Galapagos only on guided tours, staying on designated visitor boats and pathways. But this limited access makes time in the Galapagos all the more special for those who make the journey.
Galapagos Travel Tips
To visit the Galapagos Islands, you must plan ahead and join an authorized boat tour. Here are some key tips:
- Only certain approved tour operators can bring visitors to the islands. Spots book up months in advance, so reserve early.
- Trips are on small boats holding around 16-24 passengers. Vessels range from budget basic to ultra-luxurious.
- Standard tours last 4-8 days and visit several islands. Longer itineraries go up to 2 weeks.
- Flights to the islands depart daily from the mainland cities of Quito and Guayaquil.
- Costs range from $1500 on the low end to over $10,000 for luxury cruises. Entry fees and transfers add extra costs.
- Pack light, including seasickness medication. Luggage weight limits prevent overpacking.
- Hire naturalist guides to fully appreciate the wildlife. The best give educational narration during island explorations.
Visiting Ecuador and the Galapagos provides access to places found nowhere else. Fantastical physics and evolutionary wonders will reshape your perceptions. If you seek the world’s most unique travel experiences, Ecuador is calling.