Ecuador, the South American country on the equator line, is divided into four very different regions, and it is not surprising that it is known as Latin America in miniature. In the east is the Amazon region, where the impressive flora and fauna of the rainforest offer a biodiversity that is hard to match. In the center of the country rise the Andes, sheltered by cloud forests, with 32 volcanoes reaching heights of over 6,000 meters. On the Pacific coast in the west, you will find beautiful beaches and excellent cuisine. And as if all this were not fantastic enough, about 1,000 kilometers from the mainland are the unique Galapagos Islands, which are particularly impressive for their endemic fauna. It should be noted that more than half of the country is covered by forest, as Ecuador protects about 20% of its territory through Nature Reserves and National Parks. More than 1,600 species of birds, including 133 species of hummingbirds, more than 450 species of mammals and more than 4,000 species of butterflies are just a few examples that make Ecuador one of the most biodiverse countries in the world.