The main natural regions of Ecuador are the coast (Pacific Costa), the Sierra (Andean Cordillera), El East (the Amazon Jungle) and the Insular Region or Galapagos. Among the 24 provinces of Ecuador is a great natural megadiversity, since the privileged location of this country makes it unique, with hundred diverse ecosystems. The environmental conditions of Ecuador are very variable in space, which is why natural regions with very different properties have been developed. Any person, who has traveled the Andes from the Amazon to the coast will have been aware of the great natural diversity of the country.
If you want to meet What are the natural regions of Ecuador And what they offer, continues to read this interesting ecology article in which they will be explained in detail. In addition, in this image you can see a map of the natural regions of Ecuador.
The coast (Pacific Coast)
The Ecuadorian Pacific Coast Region It is 500 meters above sea level and its territory is formed by hills, sedimentary basins and low altitude elevations. This area passes rivers that start in the Andes until it leads to the Pacific Ocean. The coast has 300 miles of beaches where small fishing villages are located and is divided into 7 provincesbeing these: Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas, Los Ríos, El Oro, Santa Elena, Manabí, Esmeraldas and Manabí.
The Ecuadorian coast house one Great diversity of flora and fauna Thanks to its equatorial tropical location and the two large ocean currents that are traveling throughout their coast. Among its flora, roses predominate, which in fact are one of the main natural resources of Ecuador, as well as orchids and mangrove forests. As for its fauna you can find species such as pelicans, swallows, seagulls, Patiazules piqueros, tucanes, petirrojos, sea cucumbers, crows, shrimp, marine lions and giant turtles, among other animal species.
The Sierra (Andean Cordillera)
The Region of the Sierra del Ecuador goes from north to south Through the Andes And it is located at a latitude between 1,800 and 6,310 meters above sea level, characterized by its high mountains, high volcanoes and snowfall. It is a region formed by 5 provinces: Chimborazo, Imbabura, Cotopaxi, Punchicha and Tungurahua. Its climate has a average temperature of about 14 ° C throughout the year and in terms of rainfall it presents two very marked periods: the dry that occurs between the months of January to May and the rainy giving from September to November.
Between the Flora of the Sierra del Ecuador The grasses, moss -covered trees, margaritas, sunflowers, heather, multicolored flowers and giant friaxes, among other plants, stand out. However, in terms of Fauna from the Sierra del Ecuadorthey are very common species such as the puma, the condor, the flames, the vicuña, the bears and the Andean comadreja, between others.
Here you can discover much more about the Andean region: characteristics, flora and fauna.
The East (the Amazon jungle)
The Amazon jungleor also known as the lung of the earth, it is a territory with lush vegetation that occupies approximately 5.5 million km² and characterized by a tropical humid climate.
The Amazon of Ecuador It contains a rich biodiversity. On the one hand, its fauna is composed of animals such as the puma, the jaguar, the conga ants, caimanes, pink dolphins and other unique and fascinating species. In these other articles you can learn more about +30 Amazon animals and animals in danger of extinction in the Amazon.
However, the vegetation of the area is formed by mosses, vines, ferns, palms, large leafy plants, bromeliums and lilies, among others. In addition, some of the trees found are tajibos, Cuta Barcina, Caricari, Itahuba, Almandrillos and others. Here you can discover more about the Amazon plants.
Insular region or galapagos
Out of the continental zone is the Insular region or also called the Galapagos Islandsit is located in the Pacific Ocean 1,000 km from the Ecuadorian coast. The archipelago consists of 13 large volcanic islands, these being the main, 6 medium islands and 40 small islets that have emerged as a result of different volcanic eruptions. The main islands are: Isabela, Fernandina, San Cristóbal, Spanish, Pinta, Pinzón, Baltra, Santa Cruz, San Salvador, Floreana, Marchena, Santa Fe, Genoese and Rábida.
The beaches of this region are characterized by their white and fine sand, marking a great contrast to the crystalline water of the sea and the dark stones. He galapagos climate It is hot from December at the end of May, the cold time however begins from June to November.
In galapagos, more than 180 species of endemic animals and more than 500 species of native plants can be. Among its fauna, species such as terrestrial and sea iguanas, whale sharks, blue whales, red and blue leg piqueros, sea lions, flamenco, penguins, among others, can be found. As for its flora is Darwin’s cotton, shrub species, endemic margarita, Galapagos tomato, lava cactus or candlestick, among others.
In this link you will see an article about the flora and fauna of the Galapagos Islands.
Regions of Ecuador
Once the characteristics of the 4 natural regions of Ecuadorthen, a different classification will be displayed, which indicates 10 natural regions of Ecuadormaking a more specific division taking into account forests, moors and thickets:
- Dry coast of the coast
- Coast -deciduous forest
- Tropical Wet Forest of Chocó
- Western Piemontano Forest
- Western mountain forest
- Inter -Andean thicket
- Paramo
- Eastern Montano
- Eastern Piemontano forest
- Amazon Tropical Wet Forest
Now that you know the Ecuadorian natural regions, we recommend you read this other article about what are the ecosystems of Ecuador.
If you want to read more articles similar to What are the natural regions of Ecuadorwe recommend that you enter our category of ecosystems.
