Tiny Ecuador somehow manages to be a continent in miniature. Packed full of natura l beauty, rich culture and vibrant towns, it's a microcosm of South America. Sliced through by the equator, the Amazon meets the Pacific coast, active volcanoes bubble and cloud forest teems with wildlife.

Sierra, the central region, is crowned with Andean peaks. They tower above colonial period towns that bustle with traditional markets. Oriente, the lowland region, is where Ecuador takes in the Amazon and indigenous tribes live according to time-honoured ways.Costa, is the coastal region, where Afro-Ecuadorian settlements line the vast, surf lapped, sandy beaches. The Galapagos Islands are part of Ecuadorian territory. This remarkable archipelago, home to unique species, is where Charles Darwin finessed his theory of evolution. Quinto has one of the best-preserved centres in the whole of Latin America. With a host of world-class cultural delights, an excellent restaurant scene and vibrant nightlife it's a worthy capital of a beautiful country