Cali is one of the most important cities for transportation, commerce and the industrial sector of Valle del Cauca (Cauca Valley). Sugar cane, coffee, tobacco, cotton, cocoa beans, bananas, rice and corn grow in this zone. Cattle’s breeding is given much importance, as well as the mining industry. In this city some products are manufactured, such as: textiles, clothes, shoes, medicine, cigarettes, cleaning products, cement, processed food and wooden pieces of furniture.

Paseo Bolívar, Plaza de Caicedo, Palacio Nacional, Edificio Otero, Palacio Arzobispal o Palacio Viejo, Teatro Municipal, Teatro Jorge Isaacs, Torre Mudejar Orquideorama, Zoológico Municipal, Parque Artesanal, Loma de la Cruz, Plaza de Toros de Cañaveralejo, Catedral Metropolitana de San Pedro, Templo de San Francisco, Museo Arqueológico La merced, Museo de Arte Colonial y Religioso, Museo del Oro Calima, Museo Departamental de Ciencias Naturales, Museo de la Tertulia Catedral de San Pedro, Iglesia y Monasterio de San Francisco, Universidad del Valle (1945), Universidad de Santiago de Cali (1958).

Cali was founded in 1536 by the Spanish conqueror Sebastián de Benalcázar (1495-1551).

The capital city of the province, Cuenca, was founded on April 12th 1557 and got its independence on November 3rd 1820. Cuenca is called the Athens of Ecuador. Its churches, convents and museums form part of one of the main architectonical collections of the colonial period. Some collections of ruins are conserved, as the ruins of Todos los Santos (All Saints ruins). These ruins contain characteristics of the cultures settled here: Cañari, Inca and Spanish cultures. The Tomebamba River divides the city in 2 parts: in the southern part, you find the stadium, the university and the new neighbourhoods; and in the northern part, historical downtown Cuenca, with its paving streets, the Calderón Park and the Cathedral built with pink marble that reminds us the colonial past. The Tomebamba River, along with the Yanuncay, Tarqui and Machangara Rivers are symbols of the city. The most important economic activity in the province of Azuay belongs to the handicraft field. In Sigsig, strew hats are made and a considerable quantity is exported. Chordeleg is famous for its jewelry, pottery and handmade embroideries. In Gualaceo, the leather and shoemaking industries are important, as well as the cabinetmaking with artistic decorations. In Chordeleg and Gualaceo, other articles are manufactured, such as: marble objects, locksmith tools, lamps and barriers. The province of Azuay has workshops of objects in copper and bronze, and its handicrafts are so appreciated that the Organization of American States (OAS) established the Interamerican Center of Popular Arts in this province. In the 70’s, the industrial park was created, formed by sixty factories that employ around three thousand workers.

La Catedral Nueva (The New Cathedral), which construction began in 1885. Its interior is covered with marble and has interesting stained-glass windows. La Catedral Vieja (The Old Cathedral), Museo del Banco Central, Museo de las Conceptas, Museo Remigio Crespo Toral, Museo de Arte Moderno, Plaza de las Flores.

Independence: November 3rd, 1820.   Foundation: April 12th, 1557.

Esmeraldas, capital city of the province of the same name, located at the south western coast of the province, offers beautiful beaches and tropical landscapes to residents and visitors. The airport in Tachina gives you access to this wonderful city. The cities of Esmeraldas, Atacames, Muisne and Pedernales, are entrances that allow you to start great trips towards the area. Esmeraldas shares the Ecological Reserve Cotacachi-Cayapas with the province of Imbabura. This reserve has 204,420 hectares and is 1,600 m. above sea level. It has a low zone located in the province of Esmeraldas which is the biggest, and a high zone that belongs to Imbabura. El salto del Santiago, near the confluence of the Lachas and Santiago Rivers until Playa de Oro.

Independence: August 5th.                   Foundation: September 21st.

The Galapagos Islands are considered Natural Patrimony of Humanity by UNESCO since 1979 for its diversity in flora and fauna. The variety of its species and the beauty of its landscapes have turned Galapagos into the main tourist attraction in Ecuador. The Isabela Island is famous for its different attractions, such as: volcanoes, large beaches, lakes of volcanic origin and mangrove swamps, which are constantly requested by visitors as points of tourist interest within the island. In the southern part, there are large beaches that call attention for its turquoise waters that along with the white sand, vegetation, landscapes and warmth of the people make Isabela a heavenly place and the perfect spot for tourist activities. In this area of over 2,500 miles, we find interesting and attractive destinations, as well as endemic and introduced species of flora and fauna, that fuse together to offer a natural and unique landscape to residents and visitors. Isabela is a place for all who are interested in the conservation of nature and an interaction with it, tourism around the beach in a small, peaceful and warm city.

The Isabela Island has several points to visit, such as: Punta Albemarle, Bahía Elizabeth, Punta García, Punta Moreno, Tagus Cove, Punta Tortuga, Bahía Urbina and Villamil. The volcanoes Sierra Negra and Alcedo are also visited, as well as Salinas, with its pink flamingos, which can be often watched since November until April. Of course, its heavenly beaches are highly appreciated by visitors. As some other islands in the archipelago of Galapagos, Isabela is very attractive to surfers. Experts recommend some places located in the east of Puerto Villamil (Villamil port), such as: Cabo Rosa and Roca Unión.
PUERTO VILLAMIL is located in the southern part of the island and was colonized by Antonio Gil in 1897. It is the only city in the island with 2,000 inhabitants approximately. This city, located on the shore of the beautiful beaches of Isabela, has several places of tourist interest. One of them is Poza de los Diablos, which is a lagoon located next to the road that let you go from Puerto Villamil to the known Muro de las lágrimas (Tears Wall). It is one of the main spots to watch flamingos. Other nice place is the path towards Muro de las lágrimas which is a paths’ network with a length of 3,12 miles and starts in the so called Playa Grande de Villamil (Villamil’s Large Beach). It is the perfect place to watch flora and fauna species with the help of illustrative signs along the path. Another beautiful spot to visit is La Playita (The little beach), where you can find white sand, blue sea, mangrove swamps and a variety of birds. From this small and warm beach you can have a beautiful view of Puerto de Villamil and its islets. Pozas Verdes is another option you can visit. It is a path that crosses the dry carob woods and the humid mangrove woods. You can appreciate the green tonalities of a calm lagoon where some cactus and white mangrove swamps live together. A beautiful beach is Playa del Amor (Beach of Love). This beach has sand of shells and leads you to a small shallow lagoon. A great place to visit is Túnel del Estero, which is formed by volcanic eruptions and is located under the sea. El Estero is a freshwater spring that emerges from earth and forms a river during low tide. You can clearly watch the mangrove ecosystem that gives refuge to a variety of birds. A historical place is the Muro de las Lágrimas. It was built by the prisoners of the Criminal Colony established in the island between 1946 and 1959. They were forced to build a wall with lava blocks which is 100 m. long and 6m. high. A perfect place for swimming and diving is Concha de Perla (Pearl Shell). It is a shallow and calm bay that has a variety of fauna. Las Tintoreras is an islot called in this way for the sharks with white end fins known as “Tintoreras”, which rest in this crack of calm and transparent waters. La Playa Grande (The Large Beach) is a deserted beach of white sand and has a length of 1,87 miles. It is considered one of the most spectacular beaches in the Galapagos Islands. A great place to visit is the Turtle Islot. It is located 7 miles from Puerto Villamil and is perfect for diving and snorkeling. It is one of the main places to watch birds building nests in Galapagos.

Cantonization: February 18th.                 Provincialization: March 16th.

Guayaquil is the capital city of the province of Guayas. It is known as the Pearl of the Pacific and is the most important port, as well as, the most inhabited city in the country. The city was founded by Francisco de Orellana in 1535, and the area in which it is established received the most important pre-Columbian cultures of the Coast. Nowadays, Guayaquil is a modern and dynamic metropolis, which development is strongly linked to its port condition.

Guayaquil, Salinas, Playas, Ballenita, La Libertad, Manglaralto, Ayangue, Reserva Ecológica Manglares Churote (Ecological Reserve Mangroves Churote), Bosque Protector Cerro Blanco (Cerro Blanco Forest), Museo Arqueológico Real Alto (Archeological Museum Real Alto).

Independence: October 9, 1820.                                          Foundation: July 25, 1535.

Here you can find beautiful lagoons, such as: Pañacocha, Grande and Tarapoa. The lagoons are in the Pañacocha forest, located between the Cuyabeno and Yasuni areas in a place of great cientific and ecoturist interest worldwide. Pañacocha is a 59 hectare humid rainforest. It is inhabited by a Quichua indigenous community and has primary woods that let you watch mammals, birds and plants in nature.
Cuyabeno Fauna Production Reserve:  is the second protected area in the country. This reserve was created in 1979 and is located between the Aquarico and San Miguel Rivers. The reserve is known as a source of biodiversity in one of the most fascinating places of the Amazon Basin. It is formed by a lacustrine system that is the habitat of pink dolphins, manatees, parrots, macaws and toucans, which give beauty to this remote and delightful place. Tourists can enjoy watching birds, paddling and hiking in an area full of biodiversity.
Limoncocha Biological Reserve: has plenty of fauna located at the edge of the Limoncocha lagoon. It is the black caiman’s habitat (species in danger of extinction.) The great quantity of birds allowed this zone to be declared a Biological Reserve. Its spots have dense vegetation, with aquatic and semi-aquatic plants. A Quichua indigenous community lives in the reserve. Visitors can enjoy canoe trips in the jungle.

La choza, Don Viche and Las Pirámides beaches. Dureno, Lago Agrio lagoon Imuya, Cuyabeno Fauna Production Reserve, Lacustrine Complex Cuyabeno Zancudococha, Macrolobium forest, Limoncocha Ecological Reserve.

Provincialization: of Sucumbios: February 11, 1989. Cantonization of Lago Agrio: June 11, 1979.

One of the most important tourist attractions of this province is the Valle de Vilcabamba (Vilcabamba valley), which name in Quichua means “sacred valley”. It is famous for its natural beauty and inhabitants’ longevity. The Podocarpus National Park is shared by the provinces of Loja and Zamora Chinchipe. It is other tourist attraction for its complex topography and great variety of microclimates. The Sanctuary of Virgen del Cisne has a singular architecture, and each September it receives parishioners, who organize a procession in honor to this virgin. There are dances, horse races and people wearing masks.

Plaza Mayor de Loja, Parque de la Independencia, Parque Nacional Podocarpus, Valle de Vilcabamba, Santuario de la Virgen El Cisne.

Foundation: December 8, 1564.  Independence: November 18, 1820. Provincialization: June 25, 1824.

It is known as the World Capital City of Bananas, product that characterizes the agricultural production in the province of El Oro. This capital city was founded in 1573 and had great importance during the Colony for the exploitation of gold on its surroundings. It is located near the Archipelago of Jambelí, 5 m. above sea level, and has an average temperature of 77 F.

Puerto Bolívar, Archipiélago de Jambelí, Bosque Petrificado Pullango (Pullango Petrified Forest) and each one of the cities and hamlets.

Date of creation: April 23rd, 1884.     June 25th, 1824.

It is the most important port city and one with the highest economic growth in the province. In Manta, there are the Tarqui and El Murciélago beaches, which receive a great number of visitors because of the excellent hotel infrastructure. Some places close to Manta are: Jaramijo, Punta Blanca, San Mateo and Montecristi.

Bahía de Caráquez, San Vicente, Manta, Machalilla, Puerto Lopez, Crucita, San Jacinto, Machalilla Nacional Park, Jipijapa, Puerto Cayo, Chone, Montecristi.

Cantonization: November 4, 1922.

It is located a few miles from the coast. The capital city of the province, Portoviejo, is 136 m. above sea level. It was founded in 1535 and it is believed that it was the second city established in the coast region after Piura. However, the place was already inhabited by the Caras and Mantas, indigenous groups focused in agriculture who were skilled textile artisans and outstanding potters. Portoviejo is traditionally known as the city of the tamarinds because of its leafy trees.

Bahía de Caráquez, San Vicente, Manta, Machalilla, Puerto Lopez, Crucita, San Jacinto,  Machalilla Nacional Park, Jipijapa, Puerto Cayo, Chone, Montecristi.

Cantonization: March 12, 1535.

Tulcán, capital city of the province of Carchi, has two main tourist attractions in the El Angel Ecological Reserve and the Frailejones woods, located in the southwestern part of Tulcan city. In this area, you can watch a variety of birds, deer, wolves and medicinal plants. Other tourist attraction is the Arrayanes woods that has a territory of 29 hectares. These trees reach up to 15 m. of height and can live up to 700 years. Near the trees, different varieties of beautiful orchids grow. Another spot of tourist interest is La Gruta de la Virgen de la Paz (The Grotto of the Virgin of Peace), where the image of this virgin is worshipped. In this grotto, you can appreciate interesting calcareous formations. Tufiño, Rumichaca, Chabuyan and El Baño are famous spots for its thermal waters and are highly visited for medicinal purposes. Tulcán has also a cemetery that is known as the “green sculpture”, famous for its singular ornamental forms of vegetation, which call the attention of many visitors.

Las Canoas, Aguas Hediondas (termal waters), Lagunas Verdes, Volcán Chiles, San Gabriel, El Angel Ecological Reserve, Forest and Ethnic Reserve “Awa”, Frailejones Woods, Arrayanes Woods, Cemetery in Tulcán, La calavera, Gruta de la Paz (Grotto of Peace), El Voladero Lagoons, Cantón Mira.

Provincialization: November 19, 1880.   Cantonization: April 11, 1851.

Quito is the capital city of Ecuador. It is known as the “Reliquary of Arts in America” by virtue of the great value of the colonial and baroque architecture of the Centro Histórico (Historical Downtown Quito), integrated by churches, such as: San Francisco, La Compañía, La Merced, San Agustín, Santo Domingo, el Sagrario, San Diego, Guápulo and El Belén. The most traditional and picturesque places are: La Plaza de la Independencia (Square of Independence), surrounded by Catedral Metropolitana (Metropolitan Cathedral), Palacio del Gobierno (Government’s Palace), Palacio Municipal (Municipality’s Palace) and Palacio Arzobispal (Archbishop’s Palace); El Panecillo, ancient place where the Incas worshipped the sun as a god. The statue of the virgin Mary is located at the top of it; La Plaza del Teatro (Theater Square) and El Arco de la Reina (The Queen’s Arch). Close to Quito, there is San Antonio de Pichincha, the monument to La Mitad del Mundo (the Equator Line monument), which was built on the Equator line and offers an ethnographic museum showing aspects of the Ecuadorian peoples’ life. You can also find handicrafts’ shops and restaurants.

Large groups of tourists and students visit the viewpoint in Ventanillas to watch the volcano’s crater. It is an excellent spot to go hiking. Some places of interest for its landscapes or natural resources are: the thermal and mineralized waters of Valle de Machachi (Machachi valley) or Papallacta; the Pululahua Geobotanical Reserve, where are the Pululahau and Cayambe volcanoes, which are highly visited by climbers from all over the world.  For rafting lovers, the Canyon of the Toachi River is one of the best places to practise this sport. The colonial area, full of ancient places, narrow stone streets and huge monuments bear witness in silence to many legends and stories of ancient Quito.

Palacio de Gobierno, El Panecillo, La Ronda, Palacio Arzobispal, Plaza de Toros, El Churo de la Alameda, Biblioteca Nacional, Plaza de la Independencia, Teatro Nacional Sucre, La Mitad del Mundo (located 16,25 miles from Quito), Ruinas de Cochasquí (located in the northern part of the city), San Rafael valley and Cumbayá valley.

Foundation: December 6, 1534.        Provincialization of Pichincha: June 25, 1827.