La Sierra.- Or the Highlands. Tropical rain forest east of the Andes which makes up half the country's area. Off the Coast 640 miles are the Galapagos Islands belonging to Ecuador. The five larger and nine smaller islands are inhabited by some 2,400 people, plus the amazing variety of wildlife which Charles Darwin studied in 1836. In Ecuador's varied climate, travelers feel quite pronounced differences in a few minutes' movement either up to the chilly heights or down to the coastal or Amazon jungles.
Religious freedom is observed.
Altitude - Quito is approximately 9400 feet above sea level in the Andes Mountains. Upon arrival, you may feel uncomfortable for several days while your body adjusts to the change. Quito - It is the picturesque capital of Ecuador. It is the cultural and political center of Ecuador. The city occupies a valley of about 10 miles long and 3 miles wide, extending along the foothills of Mt. Pichincha, which provides a high green backdrop for this Andean capital.