Fun facts about the Ecuadorian Amazon

There is no doubt that the best way to learn about the importance of environmental protection is to have the opportunity to experience nature up close at its purest level. We invite you to discover the Amazon, the largest rainforest in the world. Listening in the brightest night, the infinite symphony of sounds and hums is an immersive experience for anyone looking for unforgettable adventures.

A unique place in the world

The Ecuadorian Amazon has its origin around 9 million years ago, conserving regions that remain unchanged despite the passage of time. The discovery of marine fossils in the Ecuadorian and Colombian forests allows us to say that the sea covered this region twice.

This wonderful region of more than 7 million km2, is the perfect space for nature to express its exuberance through the most varied and ample number of species of flora and fauna in the world. Here you will find more types of ants on a trunk than those found in a great territory of Europe. You will also be able to see the world’s largest snake or the smallest monkey, as well as spiders able to eat birds.

More than a thousand different species of trees can be identified on one hectare of land, which attracts not only an enormous number of birds, but also observers who find this place a true paradise for outdoor photography. In the Ecuadorian Amazon you can see about 800 species of fish, 350 species of reptiles, 300 species of mammals and thousands of species of insects.

The origin of the name

In 1541, several Spanish conquerors made a large expedition that ended with a small group led by Francisco de Orellana who finally found the Amazon River. Along the way, Francisco de Orellana and his soldiers fought fiercely against a native ethnic group of men and women who fought with equal strength and courage.

As a result, Francisco de Orellana named the river Amazonas in honor of the Greek myth of Herodotus and Diodorus who told the story of the Amazonian warriors of Asia and Africa.

The cultural richness of ancestral communities

Thousands of indigenous members of 200 different nationalities such as the Shuar, Zaparo, Huaorani and Quichua, live in the Ecuadorian Amazon. These communities have lived for more than 10,000 years in this territory, transmitting ancestral knowledge from generation to generation.

Many of these communities allow visitors to get to know and experience their culture up close with delicious traditional dishes, rituals and ancestral practices, and the great learning that can be drawn from the deep connection and respect for nature that these people have.

National parks

There are 4 very particular national parks, each one has its own magic and represents a unique experience. These 4 parks are: Yasuní; Cayambe-Coca; Llanganates; Sumaco Napo-Galeras. All these protected areas ensure that the wildlife of the Ecuadorian Amazon is protected and maintained for many years to come.

Visits and excursions to the Amazon and the national parks of Ecuador are very popular and allow the local people to show the visitor the importance of taking care of this wonderful natural environment, through the most curious expressions of music, art, and culture.

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