{"id":13228,"date":"2021-01-28T11:00:40","date_gmt":"2021-01-28T09:00:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.howlanders.com\/?p=13228"},"modified":"2021-01-25T15:43:12","modified_gmt":"2021-01-25T13:43:12","slug":"middle-world-city","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.howlanders.com\/en\/ecuador\/middle-world-city\/","title":{"rendered":"Middle of the World City, the place where the line of the Earth’s equator passes through"},"content":{"rendered":"

Did you know that Ecuador<\/b> has this name because it is geographically located on the equatorial line of the Earth<\/b>? Or that it was in the 19th century when this feature was actually discovered?<\/p>\n

In this post we invite you to learn more about the Middle of the World City<\/strong>, the park that pays tribute to the Middle of the World installed in Quito<\/b>.<\/p>\n

What is the Middle of the World City?<\/h2>\n

If you go to the north of Quito<\/b>, capital of Ecuador, you will find land with great symbolic meaning for this country.<\/p>\n

It is a large park built to tell the whole world the exact location of the equatorial line<\/b>, which was discovered<\/b> after a French-Spanish geodesic mission in the 18th century<\/b>. The results at that time, dated this place as the precise point through which the Equator passed.<\/p>\n

This is why, years later, in 1936, it was decided to create a monument at the exact spot of the discovery<\/b>. This monument, 10 meters high, was present until 1979<\/b>, when it was decided to create a new and larger one, 30 meters<\/b>, to highlight the importance of this place.<\/p>\n

Currently, some 500,000 visitors arrive here each year<\/b>to appreciate this scientific landmark. Luckily, there are many, many more tours in Ecuador<\/a> to do if you want to take advantage of this trip.<\/p>\n

Monument to the Mitad del Mundo<\/h3>\n

The new monument in reference to Ecuador has a pyramidal structure<\/b>, and is empty inside. But don’t be alarmed, you won’t feel ripped off if you visit.<\/p>\n

Each side points in a cardinal direction<\/b>. In addition, inscriptions commemorating the mission that helped discover this landmark were created on each side of the monument.<\/p>\n

\"monument<\/p>\n

Thus, the west side<\/b> of the pyramid is dedicated to the group of Spanish scientists<\/b>, while the east side<\/b> is dedicated to the French group<\/b>. The north side<\/b> is dedicated to the memory of Pedro Vicente Maldonado, an Ecuadorian scientist<\/b> who helped in this discovery. Finally, on the south side<\/b> is the shield of the country, Ecuador<\/b>.<\/p>\n

On the tip of the pyramid<\/b>, there is a 5-ton globe<\/b> that crowns the monument. Undoubtedly, it is one of the must-sees if you think what to see in Ecuador<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Finally, inside the monument itself<\/b>, a small museum with elements of Ecuador’s indigenous culture<\/b> was created. Different dresses<\/b>, as well as a review of the diverse ethnic groups<\/b> that this country has, and some of the activities they performed.<\/p>\n

It is undoubtedly a great place to learn about the country’s ancient settlers, as well as their traditions, and learn about the evolution of gastronomy of Ecuador<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Equatorial line<\/h3>\n

From this main monument, a line was drawn in an easterly direction, which marks the equatorial line<\/b>.<\/p>\n

This line has been since it was created, a tourist attraction. Visitors to this place are often photographed on either side of the equator<\/b> symbolizing the change of hemisphere.<\/p>\n

However, further studies<\/b> that have been carried out have determined that this place is actually not really the equator<\/b>.<\/p>\n

\"equator<\/p>\n

Exactly, the entire structure is located approximately 240 meters south of the true equator<\/b>, although this place retains the symbolism of being half of the world.<\/p>\n

Other attractions<\/h3>\n

In addition to the main monument and the equatorial line, in this enclosure, you can find other attractions. There are several permanent exhibition pavilions<\/b> so that, whenever you go, you have exhibits to see.<\/p>\n

The most important is the Guayasam\u00edn Pavilion<\/b>. In this, you can find an exhibition of the different works of Oswaldo Guayasam\u00edn, the most famous Ecuadorian painter in history<\/b>.<\/p>\n

In another of the pavilions, the France Pavilion<\/b>, you will find the French Geodesic Museum. Here you can see all the information about the studies of the Geodesic Mission and information about the Academy of Sciences of Paris.<\/p>\n

Finally, you can’t leave the place without seeing the Planetarium<\/b>, a model replica of the city of Quito during colonial times.<\/p>\n

The Real Middle of the World<\/h2>\n

The Cerro Catequilla<\/b> is an elevation very close to the Middle of the World City. It has nothing to do with the Chimborazo climb<\/a>, but it also has its charm.<\/p>\n

There you will find the Pillar of the Sun Monument<\/b>, which is formed by 12 heads, each symbolizing a month of the year.<\/p>\n

It is in this place where, with the latest GPS technology<\/b>, it has been possible to demonstrate that the Middle of the World of Ecuador really is. Thus, Catequilla is exactly at latitude 0\u00ba 0′ 0″<\/b>, being able to move from the northern hemisphere to the southern hemisphere in just one movement.<\/p>\n