ISLAS-GALAPAGOS.com
Quito Office:
Darquea Terán 1650 y Av. 10 de Agosto
P.O. 17-03-00490
Phone: +593 2 222 3242 - Fax: +593 2 222 1628
info@superior-edu.com

WHY STUDY IN ECUADOR?

Ecuador is a relatively unexplored country in Northwestern South America between the Pacific Ocean to the West and the Amazon Jungle to the East. From its pristine ocean beaches, to its lush tropical rainforests and towering Andean Peaks, our country offers students incredibly diverse and wondrous landscapes.

One hardly remind that Ecuador lies on the Equator; the line that marks the Earth at its greatest circumference, dividing the country into the Northern and Southern hemispheres. This and Ecuador's extreme geographical variation, lead to an array of micro climates stimulating immense biological diversity, making Ecuador one of the most biodiverse countries on the planet.

Ecuador is also rich in culture and architecture; home to a large indigenous population, the pre-Incan ruins of some of their ancestors and of course the colonial influence of the Spaniards.

The Andes mountain range, or the "Avenue of the Volcanoes", can be viewed from all of Ecuador, and runs along the centre of the country, forming it's back bone so to speak.

It is a vast mountain range that has two cordilleras, the West and the East, forming an enormous valley within which is situated around half of Ecuador's population, in the once fertile volcanic plains.

This population is mainly indigenous and thrive of farming traditional crops such as corn and potatoes (originally from the Andes), staples such as barley, wheat and oats. These indigenous live in small communities, each with a distinct dress and customs, despite a relatively close proximity, and their dwelling consist of adobe huts called chosas where they cook with firewood from the surrounding paramos.

The Otavaleñan Indians are world renowned for the handicrafts, a mixture of wool and fine cotton woven textiles, hand crafted woodwork and much more, all of which can be found in the colourful Otavalo market.

East of the Andes the hills fall away to the vast green carpet of tropical lowlands. The majority of this beautiful wilderness remains unspoiled, unexplored and sparsely populated with indigenous settlements along the tributaries to the Amazon. The Ecuadorian jungle has the added advantage of being relatively accessible and the tourist infrastructure is well developed, with the a strong emphasis on environmental and cultural awareness and conservation. Known as the most biodiverse ecosystem on earth, the Amazon offers both a relaxed environment and exciting adventure. It is the perfect classroom in the middle of paradise.


To the West of the Andes the coast drops through incredible cloud forest down to vast agricultural areas where tropical crops such as rice, plantain and pineapple can be seen growing. The cloud forests are home to many of Ecuador's species and are an exciting get away from Quito for some weekend relaxation and a taste of yet another Ecuadorian culture.

Continuing West you eventually hit the Pacific coastline, land of cebiche (a local seafood dish) and the coconut palm. There are many small and friendly fishing villages where you can sling a hammock and watch the sun drop over the Pacific following a hard days relaxation under the equatorial sun!

Further still, about 1'000km across the Pacific, the Galápagos archipelago is famous for its fearless and unique wildlife. Here, you can swim with sealions, float eye-to-eye with a penguin, stand next to a blue-footed booby feeding its young, watch a giant 200kg tortoise lumbering through a cactus forest, and try to avoid stepping on iguanas scurrying over the lava. The scenery is barren and volcanic and has its own haunting beauty.

The Galapagos Islands lie on the equator, and consist of 13 major islands and many small ones. Five islands are inhabited and the Galápagos as a whole form one of Ecuador's 21 unique and distinct provinces.

So why not come and explore this Equatorial paradise?

To contact us please email: info@superior-edu.com