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What to see in Ecuador
Middle of the World Monument
Tourist attractions Middle of the World Monument
Ever wanted to stand with one foot in each hemisphere? The Middle of the World Monument in Ecuador grants you that wish. As the name suggests, the monument stands on the equator, the line which divides the earth into the northern and southern hemispheres. Only 19 miles north of the Ecuadorian capital, Quito, it is a must-visit attraction if you travel to Ecuador.
The Middle of the World Monument measures 30 metres in height and a line runs from its centre down to a central square, where visitors can stand with one foot in each hemisphere. Although the monument was constructed between 1979 and 1982, on the site where a French explorer calculated the equatorial line in 1736, later technologies have revealed the true equator to be a few hundred metres north of the monument.
Nevertheless, only geography purists would worry about these minor details as it’s still a fun landmark to visit on a tour of Ecuador where you can take photos and enjoy the panoramic views from the viewing platform at the top of the monument.
Things to do at the Middle of the World Monument
Of course, the best thing to do at the Middle of the World Monument is to straddle the equatorial line and take a few memorable photos. Another highlight is to ride the elevator or climb the stairs to the top of the monument. From here you can enjoy a breathtaking view of untouched mountains and the snow-capped Andes for as far as the eye can see.
If you’re interested in visiting the exact spot which marks the equatorial line, be sure to stop at the Intiñan Solar Museum, which proudly advertises itself as the location of the ‘true’ equator. This ethnographic museum is a celebration of Ecuadorian indigenous culture and has a number of interesting interactive exhibits. Visitors also have the opportunity to test the laws of physics, which are said to be affected by the location of the site on the equator, with a series of fascinating science experiments.
OUR BEST TRIPS TO MIDDLE OF THE WORLD MONUMENT
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Amazon
Avenue of the Volcanoes
Banos
Baquerizo Moreno
Cotopaxi National Park
Cuenca
Galapagos Islands
Guayaquil
La Loberia Beach
Middle of the World Monument
Mindo
Otavalo
Pailon del Diablo Waterfall
Papallacta Hot Springs
Quilotoa
Quito
Riobamba
Ruins of Ingapirca
San Cristobal Island
Santa Cruz Island
The Devil's Nose
Points of interests
- Trips to Amazon
- Trips to Banos
- Trips to Baquerizo Moreno
- Trips to Cotopaxi National Park
- Trips to Cuenca
- Trips to Galapagos Islands
- Trips to Guayaquil
- Trips to La Loberia Beach
- Trips to Middle of the World Monument
- Trips to Mindo
- Trips to Otavalo
- Trips to Quilotoa
- Trips to Quito
- Trips to Riobamba
- Trips to Ruins of Ingapirca
- Trips to San Cristobal Island
- Trips to Santa Cruz Island
- Trips to The Devil's Nose
Other Points of interests
- Trips to Aguas Calientes
- Trips to Arequipa
- Trips to Argentinian Patagonia
- Trips to Atacama Desert
- Trips to Bariloche
- Trips to Barrio La Boca
- Trips to Bogota
- Trips to Buenos Aires
- Trips to Buzios
- Trips to Cartagena de Indias
- Trips to Chilean Patagonia
- Trips to Christ the Redeemer
- Trips to Colca Canyon
- Trips to Copacabana Beach
- Trips to Cusco
- Trips to Easter Island
- Trips to Eduardo Avaroa
- Trips to El Calafate
- Trips to Getsemani
- Trips to Iguazu Falls
- Trips to Iguazu Falls
- Trips to Ilha Grande
- Trips to Iquitos
- Trips to Islas Ballestas
- Trips to Islas del Rosario
- Trips to La Candelaria
- Trips to La Paz
- Trips to Lake Titicaca
- Trips to Lake Titicaca
- Trips to Lima
- Trips to Luna Valley
- Trips to Machu Picchu
- Trips to Manaus
- Trips to Medellín
- Trips to Mendoza
- Trips to Nazca
- Trips to Paraty
- Trips to Perito Moreno
- Trips to Potosi & Cerro Rico
- Trips to Praia do Forte
- Trips to Puerto Maldonado
- Trips to Puerto Natales
- Trips to Rapa Nui National Park
- Trips to Reserva Nacional Los Flamencos
- Trips to Rio de Janeiro
- Trips to Sacred Valley
- Trips to Salar de Uyuni
- Trips to Salvador
- Trips to San Andrés
- Trips to San Felipe de Barajas Castle
- Trips to San Pedro de Atacama
- Trips to San Rafael Glacier
- Trips to San Telmo
- Trips to Santa Lucía Hill
- Trips to Santa Marta
- Trips to Santiago Chile
- Trips to São Paulo
- Trips to Serrano & Balmaceda Glaciers
- Trips to Sucre
- Trips to Tayrona
- Trips to Tiahuanaco Ruins
- Trips to Torres del Paine National Park
- Trips to Ushuaia
- Trips to Valley of the Moon
- Trips to Valparaiso
- Trips to Vicente Perez Rosales National Park
- Trips to Viña del Mar
Countries Nearby
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