Ecuador means Equator
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Ecuador and the Equator
The equator runs through hundreds of places worldwide.
But in Ecuador, this South American country proudly celebrates the fact it sits on the equator. Indeed, the Republic of Ecuador literally translates to “Republic of the Equator”.
Quito, its capital city, lies right in the middle of the imaginary line.
Mapping the Equator
A French geodesic expedition team, led by Charles-Marie de La Comdamine in 1736, pinpointed the equator.
La Comdamine spent ten years in Ecuador taking measurements. He proved the world is not perfectly round, but bulges at the equator.
Official recognition of the Equator
Ecuador built a monument in 1936 to commemorate the 200th anniversary of that first expedition.
Years later, in 1979, the country replaced this original monument with a 30-metre-tall tower topped by a five-foot-wide globe.
This new monument sits inside a park called Mitad del Mundo (Middle of the World).
A thick yellow line runs along the ground from the monument. This line supposedly marks the precise position of the equator.
But is it the true equator?
A modern GPS measurement shows the actual equator lies about 240 meters to the north of the indicated line.
Park officials explain that a ravine traverses the nearby land where the actual Equator is located. And that ground is/was not suitable to hold a monument.
This is why builders chose the existing site.
Hype around the Equator
Which brings us to our visit.
Like most travellers, we wanted a photo taken with one leg in the southern hemisphere, the other in the northern hemisphere.
No problem. If you disregard the controversy regarding which is the true equator!
Balancing an egg on the equator
What’s this all about?
During the spring and fall equinoxes, the sun appears directly overhead at the Equator. The length of night and day are nearly equal worldwide.
Some people believe the gravitational pull of the sun on these days helps keep an egg standing on its end.
For fun, we tested this theory.
Eggsplanation
Legend has it that on the spring equinox, you can balance an egg in an upright position thanks to the Earth’s position relative to the sun.
Fun Fable
Presumably, one will have more luck if using an egg with a yolk centered in the shell.
Really, though, this egg-balancing trick is only a fun fable.
Full Disclosure
There is no gravitational change during the equinox that will help balance an egg.
Standing an egg on its end is something just about anyone can do any day of the year. The feat simply takes the right egg, a little practice, and much patience.
I did it!
So, is my egg balancing phenomenon on the equator in Ecuador a lucky feat?
Or is there some mystical connection to the pull of gravity on the equator?
Equator once more
High in the mountains of Ecuador outside Quito, the equator comes to mind once more.
Our guide points out the Cayambe Volcano at 5790m (18,996ft).
This volcano straddles the equator and is the highest point on the equator.
Book your tour to the Equator from Quito by clicking here
Covid Update for Travellers
For more information about Covid for Ecuador click here
Sights and Sounds
How to Get There
Where to Stay in Quito
We stayed in Hotel San Francisco de Quito. It was well located in Centro Historico, not far from the Presidential Palace. Currently rooms are $73 USD/night
Where to Eat in Quito
There are many choices of cuisine and for all budgets. One dish not to be missed is roasted Cuy (Guinea Pig). A selection of local restaurants can be found here.
Travelled: January 2011
See our other blogs from Ecuador
