Latitude 00° 00′ 00″
From Cotopaxi to Chimborazo, from the Amazon to the Andes, Ecuador is an ode to earth. Navle of the world, it divides the globe into Northern and Southern Hemispheres. Ecuador is a country that has it all: Andean peaks, Amazon rainforest, indigenous markets, colonial towns, sun-drenched beaches- not to mention a rather famous chain of volcanic islands full of fascinating wildlife.
Aiming to test the Earth’s form, in 1736, an expedition called “The Voyage to the Equator” took place. Led by the “French Geodesic Mission” they intended to measure 1 latitude degree on Earth’s Equator.
This is the beginning of a story of universal relevance, which also became a story of Science at a moment in History when the world was about to change forever. Thanks to this expedition and the observations made there, Man was finally able to understand and measure the true figure of his planet’s shape.
Ever since, Ecuador has been a reference point for navigation, travelling and geographic investigation. It is home of the Latitude 00° 00’ 00” city.
FACT FILES
- Cities names in Ecuador are mainly linked to Nature, for example, the country’s name derives from “Equator”, imaginary line that divides the country (being the only country named after a Geographical feature); or Cotopaxi, southern stratovolcano region, named after the homonym volcano; Guayaquil, placed next to the Guayas River; or Esmeraldas, named after the vast vegetation that makes this province flaunt beautiful colors .
- Charles Darwin’s famous Evolution theory was inspired in The Galapagos Islands. He visited the archipelago in 1835, where he made most of his discoveries and observations.
- Panama hat is actually from Ecuador. Believe it or not, the worldwide famous hats were first made by Eloy Alfaro, provenient from Manabi, Ecuador, who then exported them to Panama. However, the demand for a “Panama hat” didn’t surge until U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt was photographed wearing one during a visit to the Canal.
