BIODIVERSITY IN ECUADOR Ecuador, the second smallest country in South America tucked in between Colombia and Peru, occupies a mere 0.19% of the planet´s continental mass yet is one of the world´s most mega diverse countries. It hosts 18% of the world´s bird species, over 4,500 species of orchids, and 10% of the world´s

THE ANDES The eastern and western mountain ranges of the Andes, running from north to south through the center of the country, are punctuated by eight snow- capped volcanoes ranging from 16,000 to 21,000 ft. above sea level and half of these can be sighted on a clear day from Quito, Ecuador´s capital city. On the slopes of the Andes minor changes in altitude can produce major changes in temperature, cloud cover, sunshine and rainfall.

The combination of these elements and variations in altitude have created distinct ecological niches for specific flora and fauna adapting to each different environment. In the cool highlands, mountains and snow- capped volcanoes tower over bustling cities, towns and Indian communities of the inter andean valleys

ECUADOR´S AMAZON BASIN To the east of the Andes lies Ecuador´s Amazon Basin, the Tropical Rain Forest, with gargantuan trees and vegetation and the most complex ecosystem on earth. West of the Andes you find vast plantations supplying the world with bananas, cocoa, sugar cane, coffee, and a diversity of tropical fruits.

ECUADOR´S PACIFIC COAST Further west great stretches of warm, sandy beaches adorn Ecuador´s Pacific Coast. A fourth natural region lies 600 miles and a 90 minute flight from the country´s coast: Ecuador´s enchanted Galapagos Islands, which emerged from the sea six million years ago and through the ages became home to animal species not found anywhere else on earth