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QuitoThe capital is the central hub of Ecuador, the starting point for all other destinations in the country. In a beautiful setting at an altitude of 9,350ft (2,850m), surrounded by mountains and the snow-capped 15,728ft (4,794m) Pichincha volcano, the city is a vibrant amalgam of modern business executives and the traditional culture of the 'indígenas', or local Andean people.
The city is divided into two areas: the Old Town, declared a World Cultural Heritage Site by UNESCO, with its history and the architectural influence of the Spanish evident in the red-tiled roofs
and balconies of the houses lining steep, cobblestone streets; and the New Town with its shopping centres, hotels, embassies and travel agencies.
Quito is also the cultural centre of the country. Indígenas make up a large proportion of the population and evidence of their culture is all over the city, from the handicrafts displayed on street corners and ramshackle shops selling traditional everyday goods, to the women in thick woollen clothing and felt hats queuing for bus tickets; the Quechuan language pervades the streets and central plazas (squares) throughout the city. It is also a city rich in historical churches, monasteries, convents and museums containing a wealth of religious paintings and sculpture dating back to the 16th century.
Also a popular base for learning the Spanish language, Quito has over 60 language schools dotted about the city.
Getting Around: Getting around Quito is easy and very cheap. The long, narrow city is served by three types of buses. The 'populares', light blue in colour, cost only around 18 US cents a ride, but are generally very crowded. Pink "Interparroquial" buses carry passengers to the outer suburbs, and bright red 'selectivos' are the more luxurious option which cost around 25 US cents a ride and allow no standing passengers. Eco-friendly electric trolley buses, called 'troles', follow two north-south routes along the Av. 10 de Agosto and the Av. 6 de Diciembre. Taxis are plentiful and also inexpensive, costing only a US Dollar or two for an average ride in the city.
Galapagos IslandsThe volcanic Galapagos Archipelago is made up of 13 major islands and six smaller ones lying about 600 miles (970km) from the mainland on the equator. It is the second largest marine reserve in the world, spread over 19,500 square miles (50,000 sq km) and was made a National Park in 1959. Positioned between three ocean currents the climate is unique, and is why about 50 percent of the species are endemic to the islands. Famous for its exceptional and fearless wildlife, it has become a paradise for nature enthusiasts and photographers.
Visitors to the archipelago will be guided around various islands, each one with different species of fauna and flora. It is possible to pass within inches of mating iguanas, walk between nesting frigate birds, stand beside blue-footed boobies feeding their chicks, gawk at fur seals and watch thousands of brightly coloured Sally Lightfoot crabs scuttling across the black volcanic rocks. In the sea visitors can swim, snorkel and dive with sharks and turtles, and come mask to face with sea lions and penguins. Also to be seen are albatrosses, lava lizards, flamingos, giant tortoises, masked boobies and Darwin finches.
Although the islands are volcanic and largely bare of vegetation, they have different geological features that make them dramatic and strangely beautiful. These include a 30-foot (10m) high cactus forest, exquisitely twisted lava flows, spatter cones and lava tunnels, bizarre rock formations, and red, black or white sand beaches.
The islands first became famous with the scientific voyage of the 'Beagle' by Charles Darwin during the 19th century where he was inspired to formulate his theory of evolution by natural selection. Today the archipelago draws an average of 65,000 visitors a year who want to experience for themselves the extraordinary wildlife of these otherworldly islands.
Puerto Ayora, on Santa Cruz Island, is the most developed town on the archipelago and is the centre of the Galapagos tourism industry. Most visitors stay in this friendly little town while arranging a boat tour to the rest of the islands or anchor in the harbour during their cruise.
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